Projects
Establishing the Board of Trustees
Register as a charity
Initiating the fundraising program
Identifying funding and grant opportunities with government agencies, foundations, and philanthropic oriented individuals or organisations
Building the Patron network, including organising Patron events
Property scouting and site due diligence (target suitable sites in the Tweed or Byron shires, NSW)
EcoVillage feasibility evaluation
Structuring the EcoVillage custodian association
Property acquisition
EcoVillage master plan, approvals and permitting
Building and construction
Welcoming residents
Foundation Forming
The Pioneering Build-to-Rent EcoVillage
Timeline & Priorities
2025
Governance & Operations
Establish the Foundation Board of Trustees
Apply for charity registration with the ACNC
Seek DGR status from the ATO
Early 2026
EcoVillage Custodian Structure
Structure the pioneering EcoVillage custodian not-for-profit association
Develop the governance framework to manage and operate the pilot build-to-rent EcoVillage
Acquire suitable land in northeast NSW, Tweed or Byron Shire for the pioneering Ecovillage project
Mid 2026
Land Acquisition
Late 2026
Planning & Approvals
Prepare the pioneering EcoVillage master plan
Initiate the approval process
Community engagement
Your involvement as a Patron offering skills, resources, or funding will accelerate our journey turning vision into reality
The EcoVillage Build-to-Rent Model
The EcoVillage Development Process
Phase 1 - Initial Feasibility Evaluation
Secure Phase 1 seed funding
Initiate property scouting for suitable land
Prepare a feasibility report to the Board of Trustees and prospective project Patrons
Board of Trustee decision to move to phase 2, or focus on alternative initiative
EcoVillage Governance
Starting with the land acquisition, the EcoVillage is governed by the association committee, selected by the initial EcoVillage members
Developing the EcoVillage community principles (residential by-laws)
Organise the day-to-day operation and developing the community
Initiate community working groups
All residents become members of the EcoVillage association
Phase 2 - Land Acquisition & Master Planning
Secure Phase 2 funding
Establish the EcoVillage custodian not-for-profit incorporated association to hold the property
Property due diligence & acquisition
Prepare the EcoVillage master plan
Initiate the development approval process
Board of Trustee decision to move to phase 3, or focus on alternative initiative
Phase 3 - Building & Construction
Secure Phase 3 funding
Contracting and procurement
Construction permitting
Occupancy approvals
Onboarding EcoVillage residents and shaping the community
The SILJA Living Foundation’s EcoVillage Build-to-Rent Model provides a place to call home for residents from all walks of life that is also affordable, secure, long-term, sustainable and inclusive
Our aim is to champion EcoVillage initiatives that keep residential fees (rent equivalents) affordable—typically capped at no more than 30% of a household’s disposable income
To make this possible, EcoVillage development projects are fit-for-purpose: leveraging efficient development costs through committed, long-term low-interest funding, alongside manageable operating and sustaining costs
Delivering a Sustainable Long-Term Living Solution
The SILJA Living Foundation's mission is to advance build-to-rent intentional EcoVillage communities to deliver affordable, secure, long-term living solutions for residents from all walks of life
Key principles include:
Build-to-rent with no private or external ownership interests
Build-to-last supporting low-cost property maintenance
Funded through sustainable long-term, secure and low-cost financing
All residents are voting members of the not-for-profit EcoVillage incorporated association
All residents can be members for life and will enjoy greater freedoms and decision rights compared to traditional residential lease arrangements
Residents are actively involved in taking custodianship of the EcoVillge community as joint care takers with shared responsibilities (participating in working groups, working bees, to maintain shared spaces, gardens, infrastructure and ecosystem protection zones)
Being resource efficient with self-sufficient energy generation and water management
Encourage village entrepreneurship generating income to the association beyond residential membership fees
Residential membership fees will be kept as low as possible while ensuring a viable financially sustainable future for the EcoVillage
Although no residents have individual property ownership rights, as external funding is repaid over time, all residents—through their membership in the association—collectively own and control 100% of the property
Building New Beginnings Starts With a Conversation
Connect with us to forge pathways to a more resilient future
and creating real-world impact
