Platforms for Residential Intentional Community

The following icons identify functions of the listed platforms. The functions are listed in order of which are most well-developed for the site.


Global or National Intentional Community Listings

Foundation for Intentional Community

  • Mapped worldwide directory of ICs of a variety of types
  • search for forming & existing ICs
  • Info-pages for individual ICs with contact link
  • Paid courses by IC leaders with decades of experience
  • Paid classified ads
  • Forums by topic
  • Newsletter & bookstore
  • Many free and sliding-scale resources

Global Ecovillage Network

  • Sub-pages for different continents
  • Pages for individual ecovillage descriptions with contact link
  • Info-pages for individual ICs with contact info
  • Resources for ICs ecological preservation and gardening/farming
  • Courses on permaculture
  • Newsletter & bookstore
  • Map of ecovillages
  • Consultants listing
  • Events listing

CohoUS | Canadian Cohousing Network |

Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

  • Detailed how-to steps for creating cohousing
  • Directories for communities, seekers, and consultants
  • Classified ads for property listings
  • Courses and events

Federation of Egalitarian Communities

  • Annual assembly for governance issues
  • Policy recommendation, shared funds, labor exchange
  • Collection of many community bylaws and agreements

ICmatch.org

  • Backend matching IC seekers with current founders
  • Searchable IC-seeker profiles for U.S. and Canada
  • Searchable profiles of IC-related consultants
  • One-to-one simple chat
  • Resource pages for 28 community types
  • Grants lists for individuals or non-profits
  • All functions and resources free except “visibility boost”

Re:Build

  • Paid membership for access to online forum & info
  • Hosts events including online conference
  • Focus on high tech solutions & ecological health
  • Focus on younger adults

Revillager.com

  • Private communication platform (members join by invite)
  • Integration with kickstarter
  • Projects include residential and non-residential

21 specialized directories: This list is compiled by (external site) communityfinders.com.

Regional IC or IC-related networks in North America: These are organizations creating networks. Some have online databases.


Network Platforms for IC-adjacent Projects

Permies.com

  • Focused on permaculture and homesteading
  • Forums and chat (free)
  • Free videos and podcast
  • Online and in-person permaculture courses
  • Books and products sold

Bioregional Learning Centers

  • Focused on ecological restoration
  • Collaboration among local orgs within bioregions
  • One-on-one and group chat
  • Online courses and videos (by Joe Brewer)
  • Occasional in-person events

Mutual Aid Hub

  • Map of location-based mutual aid networks at mutualaidhub.org
  • Includes food pantry listings
  • See also mutualaidnetwork.org
  • Try browser search for “mutual aid” with your location name

Freedomcells.org

  • Map of location-based “freedom cells” (suggests groups of 8)
  • In-person & online “exit & build” summit (conference)
  • Calendar of local events by groups and online events
  • Individual profiles with photos
  • Interest groups can center on discussion, resource sharing, mutual aid networks, or co-purchase land
  • Anonymous messaging
  • Moderated forum thru Telegram app
  • Sell and swap peer-to-peer Agora platform

Transition Network

  • Mapped network of community projects and sustainable businesses at transitiongroups.org
  • In-person training in egalitarian decision-making

The organizations listed above focus on helping their members network. There are many other aligned organizations, such as in the linked lists below, that have some similar offerings. As a subjective differentiation, these in the lists below are primarily focused on learning courses or events. Some help their members network beyond their immediate cohort thru online chats and other social media functions. These include The Context Institute,

For specific types of sharing economy resources, we’ve listed recommended platforms and organizations for many types of resource-sharing. Scroll down to the Resources section at our page on Multi-house Collectives.


Residence at Room-and-Board Workstay

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms

  • Extended (not permanent) workstays on organic farms
  • Average ask is 25 hours per week
  • Platform access $40 single or $65 pair USD per year

Online listing of host organic farms. For some it is a migratory lifestyle, traveling for seedtime or harvest.


Workaway.info

  • Extended (not permanent) workstays on farms, ecovillages, private families
  • Emphasizes foreign cultural exchange hosting
  • Typically ask 4-5 hours of work 5 days per week
  • Infrequently offers paid positions
  • Platform access appx. $50 single or $60 pair USD per year

Workaway is provided primarily as a cultural exchange for working holiday makers, who would like the opportunity during their travels abroad, to stay with local people and gain practical experience. In the typical arrangement, the helper works an average of 4 hours per day and receives free accommodation and meals for their efforts. Includes farms, homestays, ranches, lodges, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them.


HelpX.net

  • Extended (not permanent) workstays on farms, ecovillages, private families
  • Emphasizes foreign cultural exchange hosting
  • Typically ask 4-5 hours of work 5 days per week
  • Platform access free for basic membership where hosts can contact you
  • Platform access appx. $20 USD for 2-year upgrade that allows you to contact hosts