Aerial view of Utsikten Ecovillage surrounded by lush green forests and blue skies.

Utsikten Ecovillage

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 1999

What we do

Utsikten Ecovillage is located on Orust, on Sweden’s west coast, and consists of 17 households. Each household owns its own house and garden, while many resources are shared and jointly managed, including forest, pastureland and farmland, a forest garden, a constructed wetland, a tool shed, and a recycling house. We work together on energy, water, and circular systems. The village also includes a strip of shoreline along Grindsbyvattnet, with a jetty and a sauna that we have built together as a community.
In 1999, the association that later became Utsikten Ecovillage was formed. When the opportunity to purchase Lilla Krossekärr on Orust arose in 2001, the place immediately felt right and the visions took on a more concrete form. A detailed development plan for the ecovillage was created, and in 2006 construction of the first house began.
Our ambition is to lead by example and to share our knowledge with visitors and the wider world. Those of us who live in Utsikten Ecovillage are happy to talk about our experiences and hope to inspire others toward a more ecological way of living.

Our Mission

Our vision is a community that maintains balance with nature while enhancing people’s quality of life. We do not only want to reduce our impact, but aspire to leave the place in better condition than how we found it.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Sustainability practices
  • Waste reduction / composting
  • Activities
  • Farming
  • Experiences

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1999
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2006
  • Started living together
  • 30 Total members
  • Not open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
30

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Check out our homepage (https://www.utsikten-ekoby.se) and explore the ‘Be Part of the Village’ section in the site navigation.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Majority Vote

More than 50% agreement needed.

Governance structure

  • Representative/Democratic

Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Regular fees: $130
Labor: Encouraged or suggested
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Garden(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Waterfront access

Frequency of communal meals

  • Rarely

Community activities and engagement

  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming

Age demographics

  • Mixed adults (few or no children)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Land Trust, Home Owners Association, or corporation

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

Sustainability approach

  • Waste reduction / composting

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar
  • Biomass (from wood or other organic materials)

Food systems

  • Community garden

Wastewater management

  • Constructed wetland

Waste management practices

  • Recycling program
  • Land area size
    12 hectares

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Location

  • Orust, Sweden

Needs and Offers

Offer
Need
  • Forming Communities
6 months ago

Pacific Northwest Cohousing Village Seeking Members

FIND YOUR HOME IN COMMUNITY AT ROOTED NORTHWEST A new kind of village is forming in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Rooted Northwest is building a future cohousing neighborhood of values-aligned households living with purpose. Together, they’re connecting to the land, to each other, and to a shared mission of supporting a more resilient future. Whether you’re raising a family, working remotely, entering retirement, or dreaming of a more intentional life, Rooted Northwest offers a chance to live differently. Here, you don’t just buy a home, you become part of a village built on connection, sustainability, and stewardship. One where neighbors collaborate, kids roam free, and everyday life is shaped by shared values like mutual support, environmental care, and community-driven living. 🏠 Homeownership at Rooted Northwest includes: • Beautiful, energy-efficient, privately-owned homes nestled on shared land • A walkable village designed for connection • Shared amenities and thriving farms in your backyard • Opportunities to co-create community life 🍃 Rooted in Community. Grounded in Regeneration. Rooted Northwest isn’t just a place to live, it’s a commitment to restoring connection between people, land, and food. By living here, you directly support a growing network of regenerative farmers stewarding land for future generations. 🔑 Now Selling: Reserve Your Home Rooted Northwest is now reserving a limited number of homes, with construction beginning soon. Prices start in the high $800,000s. We welcome households ready to help form this community. 😊 Join an information session to learn how to reserve your future home. JOIN AN INFO SESSION https://rootednw.org

Information

Communities

A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

Organizations

An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

Plus Community Memberhsip

  • Find people with Profile Match
  • Access to your community listing statistics
  • Create Discussion Groups
  • 50% commission when your members purchase a Plus Membership
  • Access to our affiliate program
  • Member badge on your community profile
I am an official member of this community
Disclaimer
I affirm that my information is accurate and I am authorized to manage this listing
Foundation for Intentional Community FIC Member badge logo.

Free Plan

Free Membership
Free

Intentional Advertising

  • Subtotal

    {{ currencyFormat( pricing_summary.total_amount ) }}

Icon representing community connections and collaboration for intentional communities.

Plus Membership

  • Find communities with Profile Match
  • View detailed reviews about communities
  • Direct message and view contact information
  • Create free listings in Needs & Offers
  • Plus Member resources in CommUniversity
  • Plus Member badge on your profile