A brief account of an inspiring project in northern Spain.
In the mountains of the Basque Country, not far from France, you can find a small ecovillage called Lakabe. The community began more than 40 years ago. It was an abandoned village that was occupied by activists fighting against environmental degradation in the area. The occupation continues to this day. Lakabe is now an established community that remains involved in social and environmental movements. Around 40 people of all ages live together, sharing a life in harmony with the environment.
Here you can read about 10 incredible practices they follow for social, economic and ecological sustainability. Maybe you can incorporate some of them into your own lifestyle.
# 1. Lakabe – Another Life Is Possible
Um breve relato de um projeto inspirador no Norte da Espanha.
A brief account of an inspiring project in northern Spain.
Nas montanhas do País Basco, não muito longe de França, pode-se encontrar uma pequena ecoaldeia chamada Lakabe. A comunidade começou há mais de 40 anos. Era uma aldeia abandonada que foi ocupada por ativistas que lutavam contra a degradação ambiental da área. A ocupação continua até hoje. Lakabe agora é uma comunidade consolidada que ainda está envolvida em movimentos sociais e ambientais. Cerca de 40 pessoas de todas as idades vivem juntas e compartilham uma vida em harmonia com o meio ambiente.
In the mountains of the Basque Country, not far from France, you can find a small ecovillage called Lakabe. The community began more than 40 years ago. It was an abandoned village that was occupied by activists fighting against environmental degradation in the area. The occupation continues to this day. Lakabe is now an established community that remains involved in social and environmental movements. Around 40 people of all ages live together, sharing a life in harmony with the environment.
Aqui pode-se ler sobre 10 aspetos incríveis que eles praticam pela sustentabilidade social, econômica e ecológica. Talvez podes integrar alguns deles no teu estilo de vida.
Here you can read about 10 incredible practices they follow for social, economic and ecological sustainability. Maybe you can incorporate some of them into your own lifestyle.
# 1: Renewable Energy
The community sustains itself with renewable energy. With solar panels and a wind turbine, they get all the solar and wind power they need. They’ve also installed a turbine to harness the energy of water flowing down from the nearby mountains. In this way, the natural elements provide abundant energy without the need for fossil fuels.
# 2: Water Management
Living off the electrical grid means you need to collect your own water and create a water cycle. Lakabe harvests rainwater, which is used for irrigation and general upkeep. Drinking water comes from natural mountain springs. Dry toilets save a large amount of water, and with a bit of awareness, these natural water sources sustain the whole community.
# 3: Natural Housing
The village was rebuilt after being abandoned for many years. The community uses natural materials such as stone and wood. Rather than significantly altering the space and destroying a valuable ecosystem, they used the structures that were already in place and redesigned them in a natural way.
# 4: Food Production
Food is life. On Lakabe’s land, you’ll find several garden plots. They’re tended by individuals but provide food for everyone. There’s an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, cows and chickens are kept in animal-friendly conditions. Milk and eggs are shared equally among all members.
# 5: Shared Economy
Alongside ecological sustainability, Lakabe has also created an alternative economic model. In their shared economy, people don’t have their own belongings (like a house or car), but instead share everything with each other with the intention that you’re always cared for, and that you care for the community in return.
# 6: Generating Income
To generate income that can be shared among Lakabe’s members, they run a bakery. The bread is sold in local shops and also delivered to private customers. In addition, the community offers its communal house for workshops and courses. The money they raise is used to support the project and all the families living there.
#7: Disconnect to Reconnect
In the mountains, there’s no phone signal or mobile data. The community is mostly “offline.” This encourages a reconnection between people that we so often miss in modern urban life.
#8: Youth and education
The community consists of several families, some with young children. They grow up together and receive primary education within the community, which has its own small school and kindergarten. The children are educated and learn valuable social skills through the community’s daily life.
# 9: Skill Sharing
One of the community’s great advantages is skill sharing. You don’t need to know everything or bring experience in every field. You can contribute what you do best. Lakabe is organized into several working groups. Depending on your skills and preferences, you can work in the garden, the workshop, the grocery store, or on mechanics. There’s always work to be done, and there will always be someone who knows how to guide others through the process.
# 10. Spread the word
It’s not enough to just live a sustainable life. It’s equally important to share the vision with people outside the community. Lakabe invites outsiders to take part in workshops, courses and open days. People can come and experience a different way of living, and be inspired to change their own habits wherever possible.
These are just a few aspects of a regenerative communal life. Lakabe is proof that another life is possible. It takes dedication, a dream and courage to make that dream real. The village proves that ecology, community, spirituality and socioeconomic activism can go hand in hand. And indeed, they must go hand in hand, in order to build a resilient future society.
Author: Lina Brammertz. Lina is a nature lover from Germany. She studied Social and Environmental Sciences in the UK, where she discovered her passion for permaculture and ecovillages. Lina is currently traveling through Europe, exploring ecological communities and projects