Permaculture foundations
History, ethics, principles, ecological worldview, and regenerative thinking.
Vila Pinheiro · Central Portugal
Learn to design
living systems.
A practical, internationally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate rooted in Mediterranean landscapes, ecological literacy, and regenerative action.
72guided hours
14immersive days
11integrated modules
Observe deeply.
Design wisely.
Regenerate together.
The programme
A complete design education, grounded in place.
Move beyond isolated techniques. Learn to read relationships, patterns, flows, and feedback, then turn careful observation into coherent regenerative design.
Delivered in person at Vila Pinheiro, the MPAP PDC combines classroom learning, site walks, field activities, reflective practice, and a collaborative design studio.
The curriculum honours the tradition established by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren and is mapped against the Permaculture Association Britain Core Curriculum V5.1.
See what you will learnWhat you will learn
From observation
to whole-system design.
Eleven connected modules build your confidence step by step, from ecological foundations to a design you can explain, defend, and begin to implement.
Observation & design
Pattern literacy, site analysis, base maps, sectors, zones, and design methods.
Living soils
Soil food webs, compost, mulch, biochar, cover crops, and biological fertility.
Water in the landscape
Hydrology, harvesting, retention, contour, irrigation, and drought resilience.
Trees & food forests
Forest ecology, succession, guilds, agroforestry, silvopasture, and Montado.
Climate & bioregions
Microclimates, Mediterranean adaptation, dryland design, and wildfire resilience.
Built environments
Passive design, appropriate technology, energy, waste, and ecological integration.
Animals in systems
Ethical integration, rotational grazing, stacked functions, and relationships.
Social permaculture
Communication, governance, community resilience, livelihoods, and invisible structures.
Urban permaculture
Small-space growing, retrofit thinking, and resilient systems for settled places.
Collaborative design project
Bring everything together through site survey, analysis, concept design, rationale, and presentation.
The Vila Pinheiro experience
The landscape is part of the classroom.
Learn directly from real Mediterranean conditions. Observe how sun, wind, water, soil, vegetation, buildings, animals, and people shape one another over time.
- Guided site observation and landscape reading
- Soil, compost, mulch, water, and contour exercises
- Guild, food forest, and microclimate design
- Collaborative studio work and presentation practice
Leave with more than a certificate
Build a way of seeing that changes what you can do.
Read a site
Recognise patterns, resources, constraints, flows, and opportunities before reaching for solutions.
Design with water
Understand movement, storage, scarcity, and the role of water in resilient Mediterranean systems.
Think in systems
Connect ecological, social, and built elements so each relationship strengthens the whole.
Communicate a design
Create maps, explain your rationale, collaborate well, and present a coherent proposal.
“Permaculture is not merely about information acquisition. It is about cultivating perception, responsibility, and regenerative action.”
MPAP PDC Professional Handbook
Frequently asked questions
Practical details.
Who is this course for?
The programme is designed for growers, land stewards, designers, educators, community builders, homeowners, and anyone ready to develop practical ecological design skills. Prior permaculture experience is not required.
How is the course taught?
Learning combines facilitated classroom sessions, site walks, mapping, practical demonstrations, reflective exercises, group work, design studio time, and presentations.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment is continuous and developmental. It includes participation, observation and mapping exercises, practical activities, reflective learning, collaborative design work, and a final group presentation.
What should I bring?
Bring outdoor clothing suitable for Mediterranean conditions, sturdy footwear, a notebook, water bottle, sun protection, wet-weather clothing, and optionally a laptop or tablet for mapping and notes.
What is required to complete the certificate?
Students attend the full programme, participate in practical and reflective activities, contribute to group design work, and demonstrate foundational competence in observation, systems thinking, and regenerative design.
Begin your PDC journey
Ready to learn from the land?
Register your interest to receive upcoming course dates, fees, accommodation information, and enrolment details.