Eco Village

  • HOME
  • Green Asia
  • Eco Village

In the villages lies the wisdom to save the environment

Korea Green Foundation is trying to create a sustainable village model with Asian neighbors such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, etc. Since 2006, KGF has created wells and provided rainwater storage facilities for residents suffering from drinking water shortage, and since 2012, it has distributed solar lamp and started to install power station for the villages’ energy independence.

And since 2015, we've tried an integrated approach through the Eco Village model to a number of problems in these villages. 1) We solve the problem of limited energy and water resources in the village with no national power grid and water supply, 2) By diversifying the income sources of the residents of the agrarian society, sustainable jobs are provided, and at the same time, the soil is given plenty of time to recover its capacity,
3) By organizing the Sustainable Development Committee and providing education to respond to climate change, residents are capable of actively coping with the increasingly frequent natural disasters.

The footsteps of the Korea Green Foundation's Asia Project

Project Introduction

KGF is working with local NGO, local governments, and research institutes in Bangladesh
and Myanmar to create a sustainable village model.
  • green housing
    Improvement of eco-friendly
    residential environment
    Provision of drinking water /
    clean stove / PV power systems /
    mangrove forest restoration
  • green education
    Raising environmental
    awareness and strengthening capabilities
    to cope with climate change
    Training of environmental teachers /
    environmental education in schools / eco-friendly
    farming and fishing education /
    establishment of environmental education
    centers / climate change response education
  • green business
    Sustainable development
    Eco-tour (guide training, tour development) /
    green business research (utilization of local
    resources, handcraft production) /
    sustainable development committee /
    education of facilities installation
Bangladesh Eco Village

Korea Green Foundation established the first eco-village in Bangladesh's Banishanta Union from 2015 to 2020. The target village is located in Sundarbans, the world's largest habitat for mangroves, with three to five times higher carbon sequestration capacity compared to the general forest.

However, the oil spill in 2014 contaminated 50-70 kilometers of water from the accident site. Mangrove forests were destroyed, and the residents, animals and plants including the endangered species, lost their livelihood and habitats.

At the same time as restoring mangrove forests, KGF launched an eco-village project that attempts to integrate green housing, green business, and green education to help residents of the Banishanta Union achieve sustainable development of the village.

  • Construction of green
    education center
  • Construction of
    seed bank
  • Plantation of 80,000
    mangrove saplings
  • Installation of 3 solar power
    stations for 3,000 residents
    (21.7kW/h)
  • Provision of clean
    cook stove
    to 300 households
  • Drinking water facilities
    for 5,000 residents
  • Automatic water
    supply system
    (500L/1h)
  • Environment education
    for 4,050 students
    in 25 schools
  • Training for eco-tour guide
    for 165 participants
  • Handicrafts education
    for 15 participants
  • Eco-friendly agriculture
    education
    for 40 participants
  • Organization of
    5 sustainable development
    committee
Myanmar Eco Village

Kyaung Nget, Ye Chankhong, and Wachi Maung, where ethnic minorities live in Shan State, Myanmar, are peaceful villages based on the agriculture and abundant resources of Lake Inle. However, as Myanmar's dry season has been earlier than ever and the rainy season has been shorter, residents are struggling with water shortages. In addition, due to indiscriminate cultivation of ginger farming, soil nutrient has been depleted and flood from heavy rain has been getting severe.

KGF started building the second eco-village in 2019. Six solar stations will be built in three villages where the national grid is not yet available, and rainwater catchment facilities will provide sufficient water during the dry season.

In addition, medical supplies were provided to Township Hospitals, which suffered from insufficient supplies, to cope with the spread of COVID-19 in 2020. In addition to prevention of the spread of infections, we will support the residents to make a living on their own even in unstable situations.

  • Rainwater storage
    (618 tons for 1,124 residents
    in 281 households)
  • 6 PV plants
    (21kW per hour)
  • Creation of green area
    (3ha)
  • Climate change
    response education
    for 1,350 residents
  • Eco-friendly
    agricultural education
    for 60 residents
  • education of facilities
    installation
    For 18 residents
  • Construction of 3
    community centers
  • Organizing
    3 Sustainable Development
    Committee and hosting
    half yearly workshops
  • Distribution of
    organic fertilizer
    for 446 households
  • Distribution of crop seeds
    for 446 households
  • Committee-led COVID-19
    awareness raising activities
    for 27 times
Myanmar COVID-19 Response Assistance

COVID-19 has done more damage to vulnerable people in developing countries. KGF aims to enhance the capability of 50 villages in Nyaungshwe Township, where Myanmar's eco-village is located, to respond to COVID-19. All activities were conducted under the leadership of the town committee to ensure that the response system would continue.

KGF distributed fabric mask kits to aid residents who cannot afford to buy masks and to solve the pollution caused by disposable masks. The residents had to suffer from food shortages as income declined and the price fluctuated. KGF distributed crop seeds and organic fertilizers along with emergency food to residents.

As residents use minority languages instead of Burmese, Myanmar's official language, they are significantly less likely to access COVID-19 information. KGF translated information and news related to COVID-19 into minority languages and broadcasted regularly in the village.

In addition, washbasins and water soap have been installed throughout the multi-use facilities so that residents can wash their hands daily to prevent infectious diseases.

  • Distribution of fabric
    mask kits to
    14,525 residents
  • Distribution of emergency
    food, crop seeds, and
    organic fertilizer
    to 3,904 households
  • Broadcasting regarding
    COVID-19 to
    49 villages
  • Distribution of COVID-19
    prevention promotion
  • Installation of water
    basins and water soap
    in 50 villages