This course is based on the Ecovillage Design Education Curriculum (EDE as endorsed by GAIA Education) plus additional practical experience to providing skills for survival in a time of peak oil, climate change and economic stress. This course will be limited to 8 -10 people to allow for personalised learning and mentoring.

The programme while covering the full EDE Curriculum also provides the much needed hands-on component that many people are looking for. By doing the actual hands-on, get-dirty work, participants really get to grips with the reality of what is outlined in the theory section. In shorter courses this is simply not possible.

By the end of the programme, participants will have achieved a deep understanding of Ecovillage Design and, importantly, they will have gained hands on experience in design, as well as a wide range of practical and life skills impossible to achieve in a purely classroom setting. This need for practical skilling has become more obvious in today’s society of fast fix and instant gratification where many of these have been lost.

Expected Learning Outcomes to the EDE Curriculum: Community Immersion – Participation and organising community activities,Conflict avoidance and resolution:Daily spiritual activity, working meditation: Developing of secret/sacred site:Participation in Cooperative meetings, learning/understanding of Cooperatives, decision making processes: Participation in Body Corporate meetings, learning/understanding of Body Corporate: Preparation of a festivity, ritual for the community: Establishment and day to day management of gardens: Water – dams, swales, domestic, irrigation. Working in a low water economy:Management of orchards and forestry (harvesting, planting, fertilizing, pruning): Management of animals (cattle, bees, poultry) in a PC system: Introduction to construction techniques and maintenance: Development of a local business (including business plan):Use and maintenance of tools (including small motors):Design and construction of dams:Fencing:Food processing (yoghurt making, bread, beer, cordial, tea, medicines, candles, freezing, cosmetics, vinegar, mead) and more, to fill the needs of participants.