Arca Verde, Ecovila e Instituto

The Instituto Arca Verde was fouded in 2005 by a group of people with a common vision, and since then have build one of the strongest ecovillage in south Brazil. It's a collective experience of a complete different way of living, that is still developing coerently in accordance with the local environment.

Is part of our vision working with all principles of permaculture, agroforestry, bioconstruction, conscious consumption, social tools as forum and non-violent communication, local economy with our own currency, empowerment and consense, libertary education, deep ecology, alltogether in a relaxed and harmonious social environment.

We have no leaders or spiritual guides. In these way we care about a more horizontal and human scale commmunity, open to diversity and conflict, as part of life. Not contradicting that, there is leadership in some way, as everyone is good in something. And we do make rituals and spiritual celebrations, aiming to connect with nature/cosmos, with others and with oneself, but without dogmas.

At the moment we work all in the community, sharing food, infrastructure and a good time togheter. The economy is partially shared, that mean that part of the income goes to the community, for food and materials, and part goes for the individuals, as they work there. Still our main income is through workshops, visitors and sells, but we aim to diversify more the economic projects, both for community and individuals.

The community area is divided in comunal area and "private" area, that mean, each member of the association can buy and have a piece of land to build house, grow food and have private life, according to our vision and principles. But the owner is the association.

We offer courses and accept visitors and volunteers. See in our website www.arcaverde.org