maxzalevski/community_spaces

Community spaces of Ecovillage network in Ukraine

Community spaces of Ecovillage network in Ukraine

GEN Ukraine is a network of ecological communities in Ukraine, operating as an NGO. It has around 60 members. Since the beginning of the war it has run the project Green Road of Ecovillages: the ecological communities host refugees, renovate old houses, give shelter to abandoned animals, develop agriculture and new economical and social models. One of the main goals of our organisation now is the development of the community spaces: common houses, common kitchens, common greenhouses.

GEN Ukraine is an NGO and a network of ecological communities of Ukraine that counts around 60 members. Since the beginning of the war it has run the project Green Road of Ecovillages : the ecological communities host refugees, renovate old houses, give shelter to abandoned animals, develop agriculture and new economical and social models. One of the main goals of our organisation now is the development of the community spaces: common houses, common kitchens, common greenhouses. With the war, the energy and economic crises and a big number of new people in the communities we saw the big importance of such places: they are meeting points for the whole community that let people communicate, support each other, organize education for children, share common equipment etc. The community spaces that appeared in 2022 showed their efficiency and we are looking for support to finish building and renovation works in the common houses that are already partially done. These are 6 locations that have done calculations of their needs

1. Ecovillage “Zeleni Kruchi”
2. Ecovillage “Omelanivka”
3. Ecovillage “Charivne” fundraising here ukr
4. Ecovillage “Rosychi”
5. Ecovillage Vasylivka children's space
6. Ecovillage “Svitankove”fundraising here ukr
7. Busha (https://www.facebook.com/busha.toloka)
8. Radaria (Kuhari)
9. Byshkyn Equipping the ‘Good Workshop’ community space
10. Salyntsi fundrasing
11. Tepla Gora Guidebook Om centre Rebovation
12. Baranivka
13. Kazkove
14. Dzin Space
15. Ozarinnya
16. Kupelia
17. Misto Sontsya
18. Nowyi Mayapur
19. Granidub Montessory school fundrising
20. Goloka

Issues

• Busha common space opening

• New Ceramics Workshop at Creativity Homestead in Podillia

community_spaces's Issues

Renovation of the Om Center in Tepla Hora Eco-Center

Tepla Hora Community Space

OM CENTER RENOVATION 2022-2024

Om Centre october 2022

The "OM CENTER" RENOVATION project is the reconstruction of the communal public space of the Tepla Hora eco-retreat and community. This space is intended for restorative group practices and training for community members, guests, veterans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), rear volunteers, and the local community.

May 2024

For more details about the project, please visit: Om Center Renovation

The document contains information on the renovation timeline from October 2022 to June 2024, as well as the technical specifications for architects and the proposed architectural concept of the space.

Project Om Centre Rennovation

We currently need an architectural project for the existing building and the second pavilion. This is essential for planning the next construction phases and securing investments.

We look forward to your cooperation and support!

For any questions and additional materials, please contact Sofia, the project manager, at 0936999033 (Telegram).

🙏😊

Busha common space opening

Last week was the official opening of the community house in busha. After two days of training for gen-ukrain and another two days of workshops their was an official opening of the house. With a ceremony at exactly the same place as the ritual 1,5 years ago when the project was started, all people present spoke their wishes for the future of the place.

A long talk was held about the future of the community house. At the start of the project the war just started with massive amounts of refugees. To help people in non-isolated summerhouses the building was planned to become the wintershelter. Unfortunately it wasn’t ready before the first winter and budget was spared to buy stoves and other materials.

While the house was being build, the situation in ukraine changed. The war did not stop as was hoped for and the needs of the refugees changed. More permanent solutions were needed, like permanent houses eith privacy and possibilities to earn an income.

We discussed these topics and decided to add other functions to the community house, as we already discussed in the very beginning: the house can be used for gatherings and trainings from gen-ukrain and other groups and a gate to gen-europe. One specific goal was added: at this moment in ukrain many people are in need for rest and rehabilitation. Both military and civilian people, including children, experience extreme stress and trauma. Busha, being one of the safest places in ukrain, in beautiful nature, can become a resort to support traumatised people and give shelter to heal and reintegrate into society. Values of the ecovillage movement can be integrated in this rehabilitation proces. We look forward to see this important work happening in busha and wish the team all the support they need to make this happen.

I want to publish this including some photo’s. I don’t think it is wise to wait to long with this and i also would like to stop thinking about this and finish this topic. If you agree and don’t object i can publish it today in the blog.🙏😉

## New Ceramics Workshop at Creativity Homestead in Podillia

We are thrilled to announce the creation of a ceramics workshop at the Creativity Homestead in Podillia. This initiative is led by the talented Olena Bero, a distinguished ceramicist from a family of renowned craftsmen from Donetsk. Her journey from Donetsk to Kyiv and finally to the safer environment of Vinnytsia region is a testament to her resilience and determination.

Olena's story is one of overcoming adversity. After surviving the horrors of the conflict, she found a new home in the Kupelia settlement, where, with the support of humanitarian and grant assistance, as well as the local community, she has started anew. The Creativity Homestead now stands as a beacon of hope and creativity, and the ceramics workshop is its latest addition.

During a recent inter-settlement work party, we made significant progress:

• Cleared 350 kg of scrap metal from the area
• Cleaned and organized the shed
• Unloaded and stored half a ton of clay
• Transported and installed a kiln for firing ceramics
• Poured a concrete floor for the workshop and bathroom

This workshop is part of our broader project to develop 20 shared spaces within our network of eco-settlements. Our goal is to foster community resilience and creativity, providing safe and inspiring environments for people to come together and thrive.

We are grateful for the incredible support from @simplegreen and all the volunteers who have contributed to this effort. Your help has brought us several steps closer to opening the ceramics workshop.

Want to get involved? Contact @LenaBero or @Drujbanchik in Telegram to find out how you can help. Our tasks for this season include building a stove, constructing an annex/summer kitchen, creating a partition wall, setting up a bathroom and septic tank, and concreting the cellar.

Join us in creating a brighter future through community and creativity!