Intentional communities 👥
Explore volunteer opportunities in intentional communitiesAn intentional community is a group of people who deliberately choose to live or organise together around shared values, goals or practices. It may or may not be an ecovillage. where shared living, cooperation and common values are genuinely part of the project and everyday community life.
Intentional communities can be ecological, social, cultural, spiritual, educational or organised around other shared purposes. Their approaches to housing, land, finances, decision-making, meals, privacy and shared responsibilities can vary considerably.
What is an intentional community? 👥🌿
An intentional community is a group of people who deliberately choose to live together or share resources around common values, goals or practices. On this page, the term refers to projects where this shared community structure is genuinely present. Temporary communal accommodation, a friendly volunteer team or plans to create a community in the future are not enough on their own.
Intentional communities, eco-villages and coliving
These models can overlap, but they are not interchangeable. An eco-village places ecological and regenerative aims at the centre of community life, while not every intentional community has an environmental focus. Coliving describes shared residential accommodation and may be commercial or temporary without involving a deeper shared purpose, governance or long-term community vision.
More broadly, the Community section also includes local initiatives, community farms and other projects where community participation is substantial without necessarily being an intentional residential community.
For additional terminology and examples of different community models, visit the Foundation for Intentional Community.
How to use this page
Read each listing carefully and confirm what community life actually involves. Ask about volunteer activities, working hours, accommodation, meals, minimum stay, shared responsibilities, decision-making, privacy, house rules and any fees or contributions before committing.
Community living can involve much more social interaction than a conventional work exchangeA work exchange is an arrangement in which a traveller contributes an agreed amount of help to a host in return for benefits such as accommodation, meals or learning opportunities. Conditions vary by host.. Shared meals, meetings, spiritual practices, communication methods or group activities may form part of daily life, but you should still be free to ask questions, maintain reasonable personal boundaries and understand which activities are optional.
For more practical considerations, read Voluntouring’s safety tips for eco-villages and intentional communities.
Related opportunities: Eco-villages · Community projects · Coliving
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Browse volunteer opportunities in intentional communities 👥🌿
Browse the opportunities below and check how intentional community life is actually connected with each project. The archive includes older listings, so always confirm the current community structure, availability and exchange conditions before applying.
Does your intentional community welcome volunteers or short-term participants for a clearly defined exchange? You can submit your opportunity to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.
