The Ecovillage concept has really taken off since its introduction in the 80's. Mostly it has been driven by the need for community and a desire for a better, more sustainable way of living. Ecovillages have tended to be formed by affluent people, from developed countries, who are choosing to "return to the land". We feel that, in South Africa, the basic Ecovillage Values of Community and Sustainability, are not just a good idea for the affluent, but presents a valid solution to Rural Poverty and Land Reform.

ZCSD: The Mission

ZCSD's mission is to support local job creation through sustainable community development using local natural materials in production of products to minimize our carbon footprint and karma through fair trade principles producing organic produce in harmony with nature using heirloom and open pollinated seeds and supporting small community businesses to stimulate the local economy.

AGRICULTURE POLICY

ZCSD will only support sustainable organic projects that use open pollinated and heirloom seeds, organic fertilizers and pesticides, land care principles, producing all its required resources through training and skills transfer.

• Locally produced Organic Fertilizers
• Locally/own produced Pesticides
• Open Pollinated seeds
• Heirloom Seeds
• Effective micro organisms ( EM)
• Plant locally produced fruit trees
• Plant trees and plants endemic to the relevant area
• Stabilize erosion structures with vertical grass
• Produce own compost
• Mulching all plants
• Water harvesting and storage
• Free Range poultry and livestock
• No inhumane animal husbandry
• Using indigenous livestock
• Natural animal husbandry
• Sustainable use of natural resources

HOUSING POLICY

We strive to develop and support sustainable building techniques .

• building using energy efficient materials
• supply adequate roof insulation
• use natural building materials that are locally grown and made
• use LED lighting as far as possible
• use solar water heaters
• use solar PV for power supply
• build high ceilings for cooling
• use natural flooring covering (wood, tiles, bamboo)
• rain water supply for all water usage
• natural warming and cooling

WATER POLICY

We thrive to sustain a natural water system free of chemicals and pollutants

• harvest all rain water at all roof points
• fit degree excluders on all gutters
• control all surface runoff water with Swales
• pump all water from lakes with solar PV power only

ENERGY POLICY

We strive to stay off the grid and out of the clutches of ESKOM I defiantly to ensure sustainable energy systems.

• bio- diesel for power generator
• solar hot water systems
• solar PV systems for power supply
• solar PV for water supply's
• wind power as a back up power supply
• DC appliances for fans, fridges and deep freezes
• insulation for ceilings

PROCUREMENT POLICY

1. Support local suppliers
2. Exclude multi national companies
3. Support small and owner run businesses
4. To procure hundred percent local material, tools and equipment
5. To procure locally grown produce for protective clothing and materials.
6. To exclude and product that is unsustainable and harmful to the environment.
7. Support local recycled materials.
8. Support fair-trade businesses.
9. Purchase organic fertilizers and pesticides
10. Purchase heirloom and/or open Pollenated seeds.

EXCLUSION POLICY

We believe in the importance of Sustainable Stewardship of our world. Our policy therefore excludes all companies that are detrimental to the environment, have less than pure humanitarian management records, and who exploit their natural resources with no consideration for fellow-man. The following companies and have been excluded from ZCSD's Procurement portfolio :

• Monsanto (gmo seeds, toxic chemicals, poor environmental principles)
• Coke a Cola
• All herbicide and pesticide producers
• Multinational banks
• Walmart / Masmart
• Pioneer seeds (Monsanto owned)
• Shell oil (poor enviro policy)
• BP (poor enviro policy)
• Nike (child labour, poor HR rights)
• Mc Donald's (toxic food , deforestation of Amazon! GM support)
• Dow Chemicals
• Du Pont Chemicals
• General Electric
• Mitsubishi (owns 90% blue fin tuna market, endangered)
• IBM (fund world war, control of pc world)
• Kodak
• Phizer (produce toxic medicines the kill people and make them dependent)
• Roche pharmaceuticals ( as above)
• ESKOM (monopoly on power supply in SA, poor support RE)
• Parmelot (exploit SA farmers poor prices)
• All American clothing
• All Chinese clothing and products
• American Motors- Chevrolet, Ford, GM,
• Pannar Seeds (Monsanto owned)