Findhorn Permaculture Design: 2-Week Ecovillage Course

A Permaculture Design Course is scheduled to take place at Ecovillage Findhorn, one of Europe's largest and oldest ecovillages. This two-week, hands-on certification program will focus on permaculture principles and design practices, with a particular emphasis on community-based applications and methods that engage participants holistically.

The course is set to run from Monday, August 3rd, 2026, to Sunday, August 16th, 2026. Participants are expected to arrive on August 3rd, with the course commencing at 3 PM. The final session concludes at 5 PM on August 16th, followed by a celebratory dinner and campfire, which are included in the course fee.

Permaculture is presented as a comprehensive design system for sustainable living, aiming to create systems that achieve maximum effect with minimal effort. Its core philosophy involves collaborating with nature rather than opposing it, utilizing permaculture principles as a framework for decision-making to ensure the sustainability of human activities for future generations. Successful completion of this Permaculture Design Course will result in participants becoming certified Permaculture Designers, equipped to create and implement designs that align with the ethical principles of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share.

The educational team for this course includes certified educators Lusi Alderslowe, Maria Cooper, and Craig Gibsone. They will be joined by various guest speakers who bring extensive experience from living within Ecovillage Findhorn. These experts include Mari Hollander, specializing in water management; Eveline Rodenburg, focusing on microbes; and Kajedo, an expert in regenerative woodland management. An eco-building expert will also contribute, and the curriculum includes a full-day site visit to a regenerative farm. Additional expert tutors will cover topics such as ecological sewage treatment (living machines), ecological building practices, woodland management, and microbiology.

The course offers a tiered pricing structure. A "Very Early Bird" rate of £977 is available until January 31st. Following this, an "Early Bird" price of £1,075 will be offered until March 31st. The regular contribution for the course is £1,296. A special price is also available for participants from the Global South, who are encouraged to contact the organizers directly for booking information.

The course is designed for face-to-face engagement and will be held at Ecovillage Findhorn, located at The Park, Moray, Forres, IV363SH, United Kingdom. For inquiries, the course contact email is info@gaiaeducation.org, and the contact person is Lusi Alderslowe, who can be reached at 0131 6189770. Further details and booking can be accessed via the Gaia Education website. There are no apprentice teacher positions available for this particular course.