The Imece Village
An act of solidarity and community
Through these solidarity actions, a community was created. In search for a sustainable and collectivist living, we decided to give a try: rent a land for 3 years. A land where Turkish people, international volunteers and displaced persons could live and work together for a better future. Now that the test is passed... Let's start the Imece Village 2.0!
Bringing people together
We established the first Imece Village in 2017 on a block of land just outside of the small coastal town of Çeşme, Turkey. The village was designed to be a place for Turkish people, volunteers and displaced persons to come together. We all lived on site and were responsible for the building, maintenance and growth of the land. Our team worked together to build living and community spaces and to manage the land to grow our food.
Living our values
The village is a sanctuary — a place of equality, free from any form of segregation or discrimination. It is a fair and just, community-based living environment where we sustain ourselves, take only what we need, and share any surplus with others. The village is a place to heal, grow, and give back — to people and to the land. Sustainable and eco-friendly practices are integrated into daily life wherever possible. We host our educational activities and the Back to Home programme at the village. Refugee women and their children participate in extended courses and community-based activities, gaining access to a safe and inclusive space that supports learning, skill-building, and meaningful connection. We see the village as both an information hub and a place to facilitate impactful, positive change.
We’re on the move!
Imece Village is currently active and continues to serve as a space for community-based learning, production, and solidarity. Built on the experience and knowledge gained over the past years, the village reflects our commitment to sustainable, long-term solutions rather than temporary responses. Today, Imece Village hosts a range of activities focused on education, community support, and ecological practices. The site is maintained and developed through the collective effort of our team and a dedicated group of volunteers. We are currently welcoming volunteers who wish to contribute their time, skills, and energy to ongoing activities and the further development of the village. With the support of architects, permaculture practitioners, and community members, Imece Village continues to grow as a living space shaped by collaboration and shared responsibility.
Join the village
If you feel that living in a community with a shared passion for helping others suits you, then we would love to hear from you. For more information, visit our volunteer page.
Who is funding this project
This project is fully financed by small private donors who are regularly supporting imece’s activities. Without you nothing would be possible, a huge thank you!