Directory of Eco-villages in Europe - Kennedy Bibliothek

Kaijamkoti Finland
Ahtari
The first community, founded in Finland solely for ecological sustain- existing
ability, started with ten people June 1997 in Ahtari. We are not pro- eco-village
fessional farmers but older people (40-60), wanting to live in the countryside
away fom the 8-hours workday. We also have younger people
searching for a life with little or no consumption.
The place is marvellous with clean lakes and an old forest around it,
cattle meadows and gardens, an abandoned old peoples home with two
separate wooden houses, a cowshed, 6 separate apartments, sauna and
a chapel. The main building is typical of the 1950's: basement for acti­
vities, first floor for kitchen, dining room and large rooms, second floor
for residence. There are 40 rooms and place enough for 35 people. We
have 10 hectares of land and 700 meters of beach.
We aim at exploring and promoting ecological lifestyles, by minimising
our use of products that involve animal, human or environmental
exploitation, going towards self-sufficiency. We recycle most waste and
are building compost toilets. We use wood for heating and warm water.
We are developing our site as a living exhibition of sustainable land
use and sustainable living practices. Organic gardening, animal care
and estate management are using permaculture design techniques. We
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