eigenleben LIFE

What we want to achieve

A cooperative is an ideal way to bring together people who share common goals. Its purpose is to create lasting benefits for its members. All members invest money, work and expertise where possible in order to achieve goals together that hardly any of us could achieve alone.

The great thing: If the members of the cooperative are doing well, the region also benefits. The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an important framework for our work.

In detail:

Goal: Living & Community

• Acquire real estate and land through members' and investors' cooperative shares.
• Finance administration, maintenance and reserves through members' rents and the cooperative's economic activities.
• Offer affordable living space with protection against termination.
• Enable living as in ownership, but with more flexibility, without large equity, bureaucracy, long-term commitment and risk of loss of value.
• Create accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Enable needs-based living, even if needs change.
• Where possible, renovate in a way that conserves resources instead of building new.
• Energy-efficient refurbishment of existing properties.
• Use sustainable and local materials (cradle to cradle).
• Ensure energy-efficient climate management.
• Supplement individual rooms with communal areas.
• Create spaces for living, working and spending time together.

Goal: Ecology & Sustainability

• Develop regenerative agriculture through permaculture, food forests and related approaches.
• Support reforestation to improve the local climate and retain water.
• Protect endemic flora and fauna.
• Grow local produce based on a farm-to-table approach.
• Develop sustainable energy solutions.
• Improve waste and wastewater management.
• Support effective wildfire prevention.

Goal: Local Economy & Services

• Facility management and administration.
• Supporting members with administrative issues and language barriers.
• Offering additional care services.
• Cooperation with local providers of goods and services.
• Production and sale of agricultural, handicraft and artisan products.
• Gastronomy and shared kitchens as places for residents, members and visitors to meet.
• Develop sustainable and shared mobility solutions.
• Guest apartments for relatives and interested parties.
• Room rental for eco-tourism.
• Development of "home restaurants‘’.
• Courses, workshops, coaching, seminars ...
• Room rental for courses, workshops, coaching, seminars, co-working ...
• Organize guided hikes, excursions and experiences for members and visitors.

Goal: Social Impact

• Integration into a growing community.
• Low cost of living.
• Projects and meaningful tasks to combat loneliness, for example "Good Kitchen" in Mussomeli ››
• Physical exercise and activities for better health.
• Responsibility for each individual through community management.
• Encourage participation, responsibility and a sense of belonging.
• Integration of former migrant workers as mediators between nations.
• Use of local products and services strengthens the region's economy.
• Strengthening local organizations and institutions through cooperation.
• Expanding the cultural offerings in the region.
• Create new local employment opportunities for residents and newcomers.

Today, as always, community is the most important thing in Sicilian families. Cohesion is strong and hospitality is legendary. Blessed are those who can be part of the Ferragosto round table! Photo: Anne Bauer 

 

As a cooperative, our goal is not to maximize profits but to create lasting value for our members and the region. We can grow organically: the more people join, invest and contribute their knowledge and experience, the more we can achieve together.

Since 2017, our work with individuals and organizations committed to building stronger communities has taught us one thing above all: working together really works – when people share common goals, remain open to one another and are willing to contribute.