| Global Ecovillage Network Oceania & Asia Inc. |
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by Morag Gamble
Nestled in the alpine foothills of Northern Italy is Damanhur, a remarkable federation of communities working to create a new culture of sustainability, self-reliance and well-being.
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Many of the houses in Damanhur's central community are decorated with wonderfully colourful murals of flowers and insect life. The idea is to show human residents what the world looks like from an insect-sized viewpoint - to remind people of the small things in life. Nice, eh? - ed
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Damanhur's economic system is particularly remarkable. With only 500 residents and located in this once economically declining area, they have created a vibrant internal economy, successful community-owned businesses and economic well-being for all its members. There is no unemployment.
There are over 50 economic activities and services operating from within Damanhur — all community-owned. These include an organic market garden; bakery, cheesery, ice-creamery, pizzeria, building and restoration services; furniture making; pottery, painting, mosaic and leadlight studios; makers of fine cloth; healing therapies; a computer and internet service provider; scientific research; printing; and community education. The approach has been to create meaningful and ethical livelihoods, which contribute to economic stability of the community and a sustainable future. They have sought to create what they need, gradually replacing imports with local goods and services. Because of the care and attention they pay to quality, these goods and services are becoming highly sought after by people around the region and beyond, generating income to provide better community facilities and housing. Before trading outside their community however, their priority lies in providing for their own needs.
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The organic cheesery at Damanhur makes over 30 different types of cheeses a year. They use both cows and goats milk, and charge premium prices for their produce. They also make gelato, and their lemon and sage gelato has to be tasted to be believed - heaven! This is apparently in great demand by upmarket restaurants in the area. The various cheeses are seasonal and are also affected by the different containers (both the shape and material) they are created in. This is the largest of the copper vats used at the cheesery.
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A radical approach to work has been implemented which applies to all the enterprises. Each person spends equal amounts of their work time on the three key aspects as they have defined — work for benefit of the community, work for income generation, and work in education and training. Workers spend one third of their time offering workshops of their special skills to the public and other members of the community and they actively seek to improve their own skills. For example, the mosaic workshop has sent some of its workers to the best master crafts people in the country to improve their skills, who then share these skills with others.
The many communities of Damanhur are made up of “families” living in shared houses. These large houses, accommodating between 8-20 people, have shared living, cooking and washing areas, and private spaces for everyone. Each day the “family” shares meals together, takes turns to cook and clean up, and shares the responsibility of making sure the children are welcomed home from school. This has provided people with many economic benefits — reduced housing and energy costs, reduced food costs (local and bulk foods), no childcare costs, reduced transportation costs through car-sharing, and additional cuts in living costs through the sharing of tools, machinery, resources and many other things.
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A loom at Damanhur's weaving workshop. They sell beautiful fabrics to top Italian designers such as Armani. They prefer to use old looms - from the early days of the industrial revolution - as they say the modern hand looms are not designed for commercial production.
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In permaculture we understand the need to design using natural systems as the model. Damanhur exemplifies the application of this ecological systems approach to the design of our social and economic systems — to create a culture of sustainability, and an ecology of work and money. The emerging culture of Damanhur is a human-scale solution to many of the problems humanity is currently facing. It is a unique and very positive example, showing us that it is possible to live together in a way which restores our connection to our inner self, to one another, and to the earth.
More information about Damanhur can be found at http://www.damanhur.it
Morag and her partner Evan recently visited Damanhur to exchange ideas about sustainable community development.
Morag Gamble,
50 Crystal Waters, MS 16,
Maleny Qld 4552, Australia.
Ph/fax:0754 944 833
E-mail morag@permaculture.au.com
http://www.permaculture.au.com