In the last twenty years ecovillages (local communities which aim to minimise their ecological impact but maximise human wellbeing and happiness) have been springing up all over the world. They incorporate a wealth of radical ideas and approaches which can be traced back to Schumacher, Gandhi and the alternative education movement. This Briefing describes the history and potential of the ecovillage movement, including the evolution of the Global Ecovillage Network and the current developments. The threads that are brought together in Ecovillages include: learning from the best elements in traditional and indigenous cultures, community banks and currencies, using permaculture design, eco-building, locally-based food production and processing, reviving small-scale participatory governance. In an age of diminishing oil supplies, the Briefing examines the lessons that we can learn from ecovillages to show us how to live in a more ecologically sound and sustainable way.