Diffusion of Sustainability Innovations around Lynedoch EcoVillage

In form of a qualitative single case study this thesis examines what people from industrialized countries such as Germany can learn about sustainability from Lynedoch EcoVillage, South Africa, and the associated 'Sustainability Institute', a non-profit trust based at and operating from Lynedoch EcoVillage which has been working in partnership with the School of Public Management and Planning (SOPMP) at the University of Stellenbosch. Besides a reflection on the terminology of 'Sustainability Innovations', the thesis offers an introduction to Everett M. Rogers' concept of the 'Diffusion of Innovations' (2003) which explains social change based on communication patterns. This concept is applied to the spreading of organic farming in the Lynedoch community and to related activities of the Sustainability Institute.