There is an increasing and urgent global need for viable, sustainable human settlements. Ecovillages provide environmental, social, economic and spiritual sustainability, and an enhanced quality of life for all. Ecovillage communities are cohesive social structures, united by common social and/or spiritual values. Working with the simple principle of not taking more away from the Earth than one gives back, ecovillages are consciously diminishing their ecological footprint. Ecovillage principles apply equally to urban and rural settings, to both developing and over-developed countries.

Ecovillage Training provides a practical forum for learning, and for developing action plans. It draws on the experience and expertise developed within the Findhorn Ecovillage over the past 46 years, as well as on other local and international initiatives.

Findhorn Ecovillage has the lowest recorded ecological footprint for any community in the industrialised world, just half the UK national average.

Ecovillage Training teaches concepts, tools and techniques for creating sustainable human settlements. It is one month long and may be attended as a whole, or for one or more of its theme-based weeks.

Topics covered include:

This month-long training incorporates the internationally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate syllabus.

We invite you to join the ecovillage movement. Thousands of individuals and hundreds of ecovillage initiatives and existing ecovillages have joined the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) since its creation in 1995, becoming what has been called the Habitat Revolution.

Book now and complete an enrolment questionnaire.

Download Flyer (PDF)

Week 1 - People Care
The New Paradigm - Design for Sustainability, Deep Democracy, Building Effective Groups

We introduce ourselves and our projects to one another as we build group respect and understanding. Sustainable design concepts guide us in creating our action-oriented learning environment. We explore the immediate surroundings of the Findhorn Ecovillage and the emerging new paradigm. We examine the impact of the human species upon planet Earth and, using the tools of Deep Democracy and Deep Ecology, explore next steps towards a sustainable future.

Week 2 - Fair Share
Economic Sustainability and Food and Farming

We explore how we can live well on the Earth – providing for our needs in a way that respects our community, communities on the other side of the world and the ecosystems that support and sustain us. The Findhorn community provides us with tools and examples, including Britain’s oldest and largest community supported agriculture (CSA) scheme, a community bank and currency and a range of other social enterprises. We visit small community farms and study the production methods employed. We explore the values underlying concepts such as right livelihood and voluntary simplicity, that are needed to walk more gently on the Earth.

Week 3 - Earth Care
Human Settlements and
Wilderness Ecological Restoration

Ecovillages aim to restore the balance between the four elements: earth, air, fire and water, returning humans to a sustainable relationship with all the other communities of life. This week explores the design and construction of settlements which fit harmlessly into the landscape, and into the climatic regions of programme participants. Included is an exploration of ecological restoration and the protection of wilderness.

Week 4 - Design Projects
Designing for the future, integrating and harmonising our human footprint

The final week weaves together the various threads explored during the training. We draw on the human, physical and spiritual resources of the Findhorn Ecovillage to create practical designs for new initiatives that we can implement in our home environments.

Recommened Visit

The island of Erraid is an almost self-sufficient community of people living within the unspoiled and inspiring environment of the sea and mountains on the west coast of Scotland. This optional visit to the island, living and working with the community there, gives an opportunity to experience the Findhorn Ecovillage on a smaller scale and to integrate knowledge gained in the training. There will also be plenty of time for personal space and reflection.

To book a week on the island see the Erraid Community Website.

Training fees
For the whole one month programme

£1495 for participants with low income
£1735 for participants with medium income
£1995 for participants with high income

For one or more weeks
£425/£485/£545 according to income

Fees include tuition, accommodation, vegetarian meals and field trips.

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*If you cannot afford the full fee, you can apply for a bursary form after filling out the booking form and enrolment questionnaire by clicking here

* If you can afford to pay more than the full fee for this programme, your donation will be gratefully received and used to help those who cannot afford the whole fee.

In February 2009, the eleventh Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage Training took place, hosting 31 participants from Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, France, UK, Latvia, Brazil, USA, Australia, Germany, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine and Canada. A month-long intensive training on how to live together in community, sustainably with the Earth and all expressions of life. Drawing from the experience and sharing the tools of this community participants learn about permaculture and deep ecology, group dynamics and ecological building techniques, alternative currencies and wastewater systems, farming and community supported agriculture, social enterprise and ecological restoration. On completion of their design projects they receive a Permaculture Design Certificate.

Deepening my life purpose, self confidence and connectedness. Fun! Kara Stonehouse, Canada

A potentially life-changing and deeply empowering experience that will be an invaluable friend on the GREEN ROAD AHEAD to sustainability. These tools will definitely serve me. Geoff Dalglish, South Africa

A way into defining what my role can be in moving towards a more connected, responsible relationship with the Earth and all its inhabitants, and living from a point of open-heartedness to the sacred in all things. Claire-Lilith Suscense, UK

A strong empowering experience, a journey deep inside myself and the group. Emmanuel Coduri, Switzerland