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As a homeschooling mom living in Spain, I know firsthand how important it is to find a supportive, like-minded community where both children and parents can thrive. For many homeschooling families, ecolieu communities offer the perfect environment—a blend of sustainable living, shared values, and a strong focus on education tailored to children’s needs. These communities are built around ecological principles and often emphasize outdoor learning, collaborative activities, and holistic growth for children.
If you’re searching for family-friendly ecolieu communities in Europe, here’s a list of 20 excellent options that welcome homeschooling families.
1. Blessed Family Oasis (Spain)
Located near Valencia, Blessed Family Oasis is a full-time ecolieu community specifically designed for families. This community provides a strong homeschooling environment with a focus on nature, sustainability, and alternative education. Families work together to create an educational experience for their children that is deeply integrated into daily life.
2. La Ecoaldea de Matavenero (Spain)
Matavenero, a well-established eco-community in northern Spain, is home to many families who live here year-round. The community supports homeschooling by integrating education with daily tasks in nature, such as gardening, building, and crafts. Children are deeply involved in the community and learn through experiential, outdoor activities.
3. Sieben Linden Ecovillage (Germany)
Sieben Linden is one of the most well-known ecovillages in Europe, and it’s home to many full-time families. This community offers homeschooling support, with an educational philosophy centered around sustainable living, nature, and group learning. Families engage in community activities that promote cooperation and hands-on learning for children.
4. Cloughjordan Ecovillage (Ireland)
Cloughjordan Ecovillage in Ireland is a thriving community with many full-time residents, including families who homeschool their children. The community is deeply committed to sustainability, and the village provides a supportive environment for alternative education. Families work together to offer cooperative learning opportunities for their children, focusing on both academic subjects and life skills.
5. Tierra Aurora (Spain)
Located in Andalusia, Tierra Aurora is a full-time eco-community with a strong focus on regenerative agriculture and education. Several families live here permanently, and homeschooling is a common practice. The community promotes outdoor education and encourages children to learn through nature, communal living, and hands-on activities.
6. Los Portales (Spain)
This eco-community in Andalusia is home to full-time families who homeschool their children. Los Portales places a strong emphasis on personal development, sustainability, and education. Children are encouraged to participate in community activities, and the education provided blends both formal homeschooling and experiential learning through the community’s sustainable projects.
7. Arterra Bizimodu (Spain)
Arterra Bizimodu, located in Navarra, is a permanent eco-community with families living year-round. The community focuses on sustainability and collective living, making it a great place for homeschooling families. They offer communal learning environments, with children taking part in outdoor activities, gardening, and group projects that foster collaboration and ecological education.
8. Lakabe (Spain)
Lakabe, an off-grid eco-community in the Basque Country, is home to several families who live here full-time. The community emphasizes homeschooling and alternative education methods, with children learning through nature, arts, and practical activities. Families work together to create a supportive, education-rich environment.
9. Findhorn Foundation (Scotland)
The Findhorn Foundation is a large, well-established eco-community in Scotland that hosts many families living there full-time. The community provides a rich homeschooling environment with an emphasis on spiritual growth, nature-based learning, and environmental sustainability. Findhorn’s structure allows families to collaborate in providing education for their children, with a strong focus on experiential and cooperative learning.
10. Torri Superiore (Italy)
This eco-community in Liguria, Italy, is a restored medieval village where several families live full-time. Torri Superiore is known for its educational programs focused on sustainable living, arts, and crafts, making it ideal for homeschooling families. Children here are part of a hands-on, collaborative learning process that emphasizes creativity and ecological responsibility.
11. La Borie Noble (France)
La Borie Noble, located in southern France, is a long-standing eco-community with families who live here permanently. Homeschooling is common, with children learning through practical activities such as organic farming, carpentry, and community-building projects. Education here is based on shared learning and ecological practices.
12. Valle de Sensaciones (Spain)
Valle de Sensaciones in Andalusia is home to several families living full-time. This small eco-community offers homeschooling families the opportunity to integrate education with ecological living. Children are involved in the community’s daily activities, learning from nature and sustainability projects.
13. Las Tierras Altas (Spain)
Located in the north of Spain, Las Tierras Altas is a small eco-community with a permanent population of families. Homeschooling is a central part of family life here, and children participate in communal learning activities, ecological projects, and hands-on workshops designed to integrate education with sustainable living.
14. Ecoaldea de Valdepiélagos (Spain)
This eco-community near Madrid is home to many full-time families who practice homeschooling. The community is based on sustainability and self-sufficiency, and children are encouraged to learn through participation in daily tasks like gardening, building, and crafting. The community offers structured learning environments for children in addition to informal, experiential education.
15. Aldea Blanca (Spain)
Aldea Blanca, located in the Canary Islands, is an eco-community that is home to several full-time families. Homeschooling is a core part of life here, with children participating in ecological activities, outdoor education, and collaborative projects that foster both academic and practical skills.
16. Sunseed Desert Technology (Spain)
Sunseed Desert Technology, located in the desert region of Almería, is home to several families who live here full-time. This off-grid eco-community focuses on sustainable living, and homeschooling families can integrate their children’s education into the community’s ecological projects. Children learn through hands-on activities, including solar energy, organic farming, and water conservation.
17. La Base (France)
La Base is an eco-community in southwestern France that is home to several families living full-time. Homeschooling families here focus on community-based education, where children participate in outdoor activities, gardening, and workshops focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
18. La Bolina (Spain)
La Bolina, located in the mountains of Granada, is a small eco-community where several families live year-round. Homeschooling is encouraged, and children learn through daily community involvement, including permaculture, sustainable farming, and creative projects that promote hands-on learning.
19. The Farm (Ireland)
The Farm is an eco-community in County Galway, Ireland, where families live full-time. Homeschooling families here engage in self-sufficiency practices, permaculture, and nature-based education. Children participate in communal farming, gardening, and practical skills workshops, making it a supportive environment for homeschooling.
20. Cascina Gervasoni (Italy)
Located in northern Italy, Cascina Gervasoni is an eco-community where several families live full-time. Homeschooling is supported, and children learn through interaction with the community’s permaculture practices, animal care, and environmental projects, integrating education with sustainable living.
These eco-communities provide full-time living arrangements for families, making them ideal for homeschooling families seeking a supportive and sustainable environment. From Spain to Italy, these communities offer an educational experience deeply connected to nature and shared learning. Blessed Family Oasis near Valencia is offering a rich environment for families seeking to homeschool while all living on the same piece of land.
Before joining any community, it’s essential to visit and ensure it meets your family’s needs and values, but these options are strong candidates for full-time homeschooling in Europe’s eco-friendly havens.