About us
Gaia – A Vibrant Community in the Heart of Østerdalen.
Gaia is a center for people and nature—a place where community, sustainability, and joy in life come together in practice.
Here, we live by the vision of creating a vibrant village where cooperation, self-sufficiency, and a love of the land are a natural part of everyday life.
The center is located at Follheim Farm in beautiful Alvdal, surrounded by Tronfjell, Savalen, and Rondane.
We began in 2012 as a small group with a big dream and have since grown into a community of more than 70 Gaianers from across the country.
Together, we are building a place where people, ideas, and nature have room to breathe and develop.
Gaia – with a heart for people and nature.
Why We Are Called Gaia – and How We Operate
The name Gaia comes from the Greek goddess who symbolizes the Earth—the great mother, giver of life, and creator of all living things.
For us, the name embodies both respect for nature and a belief in the interplay between all forms of life.
It reminds us that everything is connected—people, soil, water, and air—and that we are co-creators within the whole.
We run Gaia as a cooperative community built on collaboration, trust, and shared values.
Through Gaia Øst Holding AS and its subsidiaries, Gaiasenter AS and Gaia Homes AS, we develop the site in harmony with nature and the people who live here.
In addition, we have the Gaia Friends Association, a non-profit organization that gives back to society through projects carried out with care and compassion.
Many of us live and work elsewhere, but we meet here regularly for work, social gatherings, and celebrations.
When we come together, there is room for voluntary community work, laughter, silence, and the joy of creating.
For us, Gaia is not just a place — it is a way of life.
Vision – Objectives – Values
Our Vision
Gaia – with a heart for people and nature.
We believe in the relationship between people and the Earth.
When we live in harmony with nature, both the community and our joy in life flourish.
Our Objective
We want to create a vibrant village—a place where people thrive according to our values and find meaning in everyday life.
Through innovation, self-sufficiency, and a sustainable lifestyle, we meet the challenges of the future.
We emphasize sound finances, good relationships, and local cooperation.
Our Values
Spirituality
We know that our lives have a deeper meaning—that we are all part of the whole that fills the universe. We seek closeness to nature and live in accordance with its universal laws and values.
Community
We value cooperation, open communication, and trust.
Together, we create a community with a sense of belonging, shared goals, and the ability to turn plans into action.
Generosity
We support and encourage one another, and meet each other with warmth, care, and flexibility. For us, generosity means speaking positively about one another and seeing each other with the heart.
Creativity
Creativity is our life force.
Through curiosity, wonder, and innovative thinking, we discover new solutions and make room for creativity in everyday life.
Gaia Øst Holding AS – Business Modell
We have chosen to organize our dream according to a conventional, socially responsible business model, with the parent company Gaia Øst Holding AS at the top, followed by two subsidiaries:
Gaiasenter AS and Gaia Homes AS.
In addition, we have established the Gaia Friends Association, a non-profit organization that enables us to give something back to society.
We are always delighted when more people want to support us or help create the future together with us, and you are warmly welcome to join the Gaia extended family. (Although some of us enjoy practising our english, the main language in the community is norwegian, both spoken and written.)
As a shareholder and co-owner of Gaia, you will have the opportunity to help develop this exciting, creative, and sustainable project, while continuing to grow and develop together with the community.
A shareholding in Gaia Øst Holding AS costs NOK 50,000.
There are no obligations associated with being a shareholder in Gaia. However, we encourage everyone to contribute as much as they wish, based on their own health, skills, and available time, and to take part in co-creating across all of the Gaia companies.