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Purpose of the Danish Network of Sustainable Communities:

The purpose of The Danish Association of Sustainable Communities is: -to further and enhance a way of life that makes possible wholesome cycles between Human Beings and Nature, in a caring and respectful way towards all sentient beings and our natural resources, as decribed in the common vision statement, below. -to look after the interests - inner and outward - of its members. A preliminary meeting of socially, ecologically and spiritually orientated communities took place at Fjordvang farm in Thy, Denmark, January 1993. This meeting led to the formation of a network of Sustainable Communities: the Danish Association for Sustainable Communities (abbreviated LØS in danish).

Vision Statement:
LØS is dedicated to
Establishing living environments that are ecologically and socially sustainablem in rural, as well as in urban areas.
Co-operation based on ecological, social and spiritual awareness.
Ethical and ecological use of energy resources - mineral, biological, human and cultural.
Autonomy, intimacy and accountability in governance and economy.
Openness to multiplicity of views of Life and ways of living.
Being instrumental in bringing about an awareness of Global interconnectedness.
The creation of ecological and socially sustainable communities in rural and urban areas.
The co-operation between communities with social, spiritual and ecological approaches.
Etical and ecological use of biological, mineral, human, energetic and cultural resources.
Autonomy, proximity and accountability in governance and economy.
Tolerance of diversity in approaches to life and ways of living.
Promotion of awareness of global interconnectedness.
Continously letting the vision evolve through seminars, vision quests and work forums.

Or in short:

"To further and enhance, in a caring and respectful way towards all sentient beings and our natural resources, a way of life that makes possible wholesome cycles between Human Beings and Nature, as described in the common vision statement below."

The chairman of the association is in 2009: Lone Samuelsson, tel.: +45 7741 0180

Methods for achieving the goals:
-representing the LØS eco-villages,
-co-operation with politicians and government,
-co-operation with other organisations in addressing common issues,
-being a central forum for ideas and experiences,
-supporting the formation and development of eco-villages,
-furthering research and development in alignment with the LØS vision,
-teaching and informing,
-continously letting the vision evolve through seminars, vision quests and work forums.

For some settlements practical ecology has been the starting point, for others community offers a way of solving the social problems that face us today, while for others spiritual community is a condition for pursuing personal development. For many people nowadays, though, it is the combination of these three approaches that is essential.

The association is also a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience and by co-operating with politicians, planning authorities, financing institutions and private groups the association works for the establisment of new urban and rural communities.

The association emphasises the necessity of supporting "eco-settlements" whatever the guise they appear in. This policy mirrors the official Danish attitude to urban ecology, where priority is put on suporting people and initiatives in the places they occur.

Everyone – both individuals as well as organisations – who has a common interest in the associations´ aims, is eligible for membership. Potential members of the association are eco-settlements, co-housing groups, housing and tenants associations, alternative schools and institutions, and the many individuals in all walks of life who encompass the vision of sustainable lifestyles.

The association was formed in March 1993, and has a board of seven members. Besides the board there are a number of working committees each responsible to the board. The board meets every two months.

Activities:

Since its inception the association has worked to create better financing conditions for environmentally friendly housing. This has resulted in the government now being able to guarantee 20% of building society loans for these houses.

A second area where the associataion has made good progress is in promotion of local Agenda 21 planning, through conferences, lectures, campaigns and cooperation with other groups at local, county and national level.

A quarterly newsletter is the main vehicle for keeping members in touch with one another. Other publications include a guide to the individual communities in Denmark and three books of which the latest were issued 2003 named "Ecovillages in Denmark - how dreams come into reality". Over 400 pages and 600 photos.In December 2009 LØS issue a 3 box DVD set on Ecovillages in Denmark with films, photos, documents etc.

LØS has expert contacts and ressources in many fields who are not just sought after internally but increasingly from other individuals and organisations.

Grants for our work has been recieved from various foundations. Among them are Gaia Trust, The Green Fund of the Ministry of Energy and Environment, and Council for Recreation and Open Air Activities.

You are welcome to contact the chairman for further information.