What comes to mind when you hear the word ecovillage? Perhaps a community growing its own food, shared responsibilities, sustainable homes or people living a little differently from the mainstream.
For us, it is less about following a particular model and more about rethinking something quite fundamental: how we want to live, and how we want our surroundings to support that.
Ecovillage Madeira grew out of the idea that we don't necessarily have to choose between independence and community, between having our own space and feeling connected to others, or between modern comforts and a closer relationship with nature.
We want to explore what a neighbourhood could look like if these things were considered together from the beginning.
A sense of community
We live in a time when it is possible to be more connected than ever through technology, while everyday life can still feel quite individual. Many people live alongside others without really knowing their neighbours.
We believe there is something valuable in changing that. Having people nearby to share a conversation with, exchange experiences, help each other out or simply enjoy an afternoon together can make a difference to everyday life.
But community doesn't have to mean communal living. We don't envision everyone sharing the same routines, responsibilities or interests. People should have their own homes, their own space and the freedom to organise their lives as they wish.
For us, a good community is one where connection is possible, not compulsory.
A closer relationship with nature
Nature is not just something we want to look at from our windows. We want it to be part of everyday life. Being able to step outside, spend time in green surroundings, grow something or simply enjoy the changing seasons can have a meaningful impact on how we experience a place.
We also believe that the way we build and organise our living environments matters. Making room for nature, considering how we use resources and being mindful of the impact we have on our surroundings are important parts of the approach. This doesn't mean aiming for complete self-sufficiency or trying to remove ourselves from modern life. It means making more considered choices wherever we can.
Freedom to live your own way
We aren't trying to create a community where everyone thinks alike or follows a shared philosophy in every aspect of their lives. People have different needs, interests and ideas of what a good life looks like. Some enjoy gardening and growing food. Others prefer spending their free time exploring the island, working on personal projects or simply relaxing at home.
We want there to be room for all of that. There is no expectation to participate in every communal activity, grow your own vegetables or adopt a particular lifestyle. We see the neighbourhood as a place where people can find their own balance between privacy, independence and connection.
An idea that takes shape together
Ecovillage Madeira is an exploration of these ideas in practice.
The neighbourhood in Santana is our first expression of this vision. But beyond the physical development, what interests us is the kind of everyday environment that can emerge when people have space for themselves while also having the opportunity to be part of something shared.
We don't have a finished formula for that. Some things can be planned, designed and built. Others will only take shape through the people who eventually live there. Mark and I intend to make this neighbourhood our home, too. We are looking forward not only to seeing the project take shape, but to being part of what grows from it.
Ultimately, we don't think there is one right way to live. But we do think it is worth creating more opportunities to live with a little more connection: to nature, to the people around us and to the place we call home.
