Aerial view of traditional round huts in a circular layout at Chikwa Ecovillage.

Chikwa Ecovillage

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Forming
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 2025

What we do

The Chikwa Ecovillage is our answer to Malawi’s pressing ecological and economic challenges. On a 10-hectare site, we are building a resilient community from the ground up, using eco-friendly Superadobe homes, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy. Our goal is to create a beacon of hope that empowers disadvantaged individuals and provides a blueprint for a better future.

Our Mission

To design, build, and operationalize the 10-hectare Chikwa Ecovillage within a 5-year timeframe. This pilot project will function as a holistic proof-of-concept, developing sustainable housing, food, water, and energy systems. Critically, it will serve as the primary training and innovation hub to catalyze the development of a federated network of ecovillages, providing the scalable blueprint and operational nerve center for the long-term North Chikwawa Eco-District vision.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Commune
  • Land-Based Communities
  • Sustainability practices
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Activities
  • Education
  • Experiences
  • Services Business

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2025
  • Started planning
  • 44 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
44

Decision-making process

  • Leadership Decides

A single person, couple, or small group makes most major decisions.

Governance structure

  • Founder/Leader-led

Primary authority rests with the community’s founder(s) or designated leader(s).

Economic model

  • Complete Income-Sharing

All member income goes into common pool for community use.

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

Additional economic information

Regular fees: $5
Labor: Yes (20 hrs/week)

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

Common House, Garden(s), Library, Workshop

Frequency of communal meals

  • 2-5 times per week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Community activities and engagement

  • School, Educational Institute or Experience
  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • Ethical Business, Investment Group, or Alternative Currency
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

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.

Sustainability approach

  • Renewable energy systems

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    10 hectares

Guest Book

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Location

  • Southern Region, Malawi

Needs and Offers

Connecting communities through an intentional online marketplace

  • Promoted
Offer
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Communities with Openings
7 months ago

Worktrade Opportunities on Big Island Hawaii

We are continuing our work-trade program at Bridge Hawaii for the right people on this beautiful 86-acre land located along the Hāmākua Coast. Ideally, we want to host those individuals who can help with the garden and who can support with build projects for up to a 3 month stay. This work-trade would include lodging, food staples, community kitchen, running hot water showers, off-grid electricity, and laundry. There is access to high speed wi-fi. We often have a car that can be reserved. We also have full bar signal strength with Verizon cellphone service. We have about 2 acres of permaculture garden that needs to be cared for including; weeding, planting, picking up mulch, some tree trimming, ect. We are currently in a building stage on the land. We have a few current grant projects we are working on and some build projects that are underway. We are an intentional community with about 8 permanent residents. There are rescue dairy cows, mini cows, mini donkeys, horses, a donkey, cats, dogs, and active bee hives. We are a drug and alcohol “free” space. A glass of wine or beer with dinner is fine, but absolutely no day drinking or parties. We have a meditation temple and many waterfall pools that are wonderful for swimming. Close to some of the nicest beaches on island. We have snorkeling gear and a kayak. Since this is an animal sanctuary, we limit the consumption of meat on the land. Fish, eggs, honey, and dairy are fine. Let me know if you’re interested by sending an email or text for our application. Maomi (801) 623-0738 ma***@*****************ii.com
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
3 months ago

Home available in Evans Oaks

Join a small co-housing community in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Silverton offers a rural lifestyle just a half hour from Salem and an hour from Portland. Step into an open-concept living area where natural light meets the warmth of a sleek gas fireplace. The open-concept layout flows seamlessly over premium flooring selections tailored for both beauty and durability: Living Areas: Warm, rich wood floors extend through the living room and bedrooms. Entry & Baths: Durable, elegant tile flooring greets you at the door and lines the bathrooms. Kitchen & Laundry: Eco-friendly, resilient marmoleum flooring makes clean-up a breeze. Windows: Double-pane vinyl windows throughout ensure maximum insulation and quiet comfort, along with custom high end window coverings. High-tech keyless entry at the front door for ultimate convenience. Year-Round Climate Control: Stay perfectly comfortable with a high-efficiency mini-split heating and cooling system. Luxury Touches: Retreat to bathrooms featuring heated tile floors for those crisp Oregon mornings. Universal Design: Thoughtfully crafted for longevity and ease, the home features zero-entry access and 32-inch wide doors throughout. The exterior is equally impressive, featuring: Garden Patio: A serene space perfect for alfresco dining or quiet morning coffee. Professional Landscaping: Beautifully maintained grounds connected by elegant flagstone walkways. Detached garage with one parking space and extr

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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).

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