Inquiries at: [email protected]
This Course Comes With Free Access to Vectorworks (a landscape design programme worth thousands of dollars)
and a free version of our eBook Learning To See The Land
and a free version of our eBook Learning To See The Land
Try out our free masterclass for a trial of permaculture deisgn
Facilitated Permaculture Design Certificate
A supported delivery pathway for hosting your own PDC cohort
Overview
The Facilitated Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) offers a way for educators, tutors, trusts, and organisations to host their own cohort of learners using an accredited online PDC curriculum, while providing local mentoring, pacing, and group-based support.
Rather than delivering the full PDC curriculum independently, hosts use the Regenpreneur online programme as the core learning and assessment framework, and focus their energy on facilitation, guidance, and contextual support for their learners.
This model supports a paced, year-long learning pathway that fits alongside real lives, real land, and real constraints, while maintaining the integrity and consistency of a standard Permaculture Design Certificate.
Learning approach
The underlying PDC curriculum emphasises systems thinking, ecological literacy, and applied design skills rather than isolated techniques.
Learners work through the full accredited curriculum online, applying concepts to a real or hypothetical site through observation, research, and design tasks. Learning is cumulative and design-focused, culminating in a Final Design Portfolio.
The programme is fully online. Learners work independently on their own site or design project, while being supported through cohort-based facilitation rather than one-to-one instruction or intensive block teaching.
There is no requirement for learners to physically implement designs during the course. Learning may remain theoretical where that is more appropriate for individual circumstances.
How this facilitated delivery model works
This model intentionally separates curriculum delivery and assessment from local facilitation and learner support, allowing hosts to focus on what they do best.
The accredited programme provides:
As a host or facilitator, you provide:
What your learners receive
By enrolling through a facilitated pathway, learners receive:
What learners develop
Through the course, learners build the capacity to:
Final Design Portfolio and assessment
The Final Design Portfolio is the capstone of the Permaculture Design Certificate and is built progressively throughout the programme.
Learners complete observation, research, and design tasks linked to each module, resulting in a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to analyse a site and apply permaculture design principles in a coherent, integrated way.
Portfolios are assessed against standard PDC requirements, and successful completion results in the award of a Permaculture Design Certificate.
Outcomes for hosts and learners
By the end of the programme, learners will have:
Who this delivery model suits
This facilitated pathway works well for hosts who:
Timing and learner commitment
The facilitated model supports learners progressing through the curriculum at a broadly similar pace, while allowing flexibility for individual circumstances.
Learners should plan for approximately 100 hours of engagement, or around 3–4 hours per week across the programme. Completion is not enforced, but consistent participation alongside the cohort is strongly encouraged.
Hosting and enrolment
Facilitated cohorts are hosted by invitation or agreement and are typically limited in size.
Hosts work with Regenpreneur to coordinate enrolment, access, and cohort setup.
If you are interested in hosting your own facilitated PDC cohort and would like to discuss whether this model is a good fit, please get in touch to explore the options. [email protected]
A supported delivery pathway for hosting your own PDC cohort
Overview
The Facilitated Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) offers a way for educators, tutors, trusts, and organisations to host their own cohort of learners using an accredited online PDC curriculum, while providing local mentoring, pacing, and group-based support.
Rather than delivering the full PDC curriculum independently, hosts use the Regenpreneur online programme as the core learning and assessment framework, and focus their energy on facilitation, guidance, and contextual support for their learners.
This model supports a paced, year-long learning pathway that fits alongside real lives, real land, and real constraints, while maintaining the integrity and consistency of a standard Permaculture Design Certificate.
Learning approach
The underlying PDC curriculum emphasises systems thinking, ecological literacy, and applied design skills rather than isolated techniques.
Learners work through the full accredited curriculum online, applying concepts to a real or hypothetical site through observation, research, and design tasks. Learning is cumulative and design-focused, culminating in a Final Design Portfolio.
The programme is fully online. Learners work independently on their own site or design project, while being supported through cohort-based facilitation rather than one-to-one instruction or intensive block teaching.
There is no requirement for learners to physically implement designs during the course. Learning may remain theoretical where that is more appropriate for individual circumstances.
How this facilitated delivery model works
This model intentionally separates curriculum delivery and assessment from local facilitation and learner support, allowing hosts to focus on what they do best.
The accredited programme provides:
- the full Permaculture Design Certificate curriculum
- access to the online learning platform
- a structured learning sequence aligned with PDC standards
- assessment of the Final Design Portfolio
- certification on successful completion
As a host or facilitator, you provide:
- onboarding and orientation for your learners
- pacing support and a shared learning rhythm
- facilitated group discussion and peer learning
- mentoring, encouragement, and accountability
- contextual framing relevant to your learners, land base, or region
What your learners receive
By enrolling through a facilitated pathway, learners receive:
- access to the full accredited PDC curriculum
- use of the online learning platform for the duration of the programme
- participation in a supported learning cohort
- facilitated mentoring and group-based learning support
- assessment of their Final Design Portfolio
- a globally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate on completion
- access to Vectorworks landscape design software and Vectorworks University for the duration of the course
What learners develop
Through the course, learners build the capacity to:
- understand permaculture ethics and principles and apply them to real-world decisions
- read landscapes including climate, water, soils, slope, sun, wind, and existing patterns
- think in systems rather than isolated elements
- design integrated food, water, shelter, access, and infrastructure systems
- build resilience through soil health, biodiversity, and long-term planning
- create a coherent whole-site concept design
- develop a staged design suitable for gradual implementation
Final Design Portfolio and assessment
The Final Design Portfolio is the capstone of the Permaculture Design Certificate and is built progressively throughout the programme.
Learners complete observation, research, and design tasks linked to each module, resulting in a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to analyse a site and apply permaculture design principles in a coherent, integrated way.
Portfolios are assessed against standard PDC requirements, and successful completion results in the award of a Permaculture Design Certificate.
Outcomes for hosts and learners
By the end of the programme, learners will have:
- a completed Final Design Portfolio
- a clear framework for approaching land and systems design
- increased confidence in long-term, regenerative decision-making
- transferable design skills applicable across different sites and life stages
- a recognised Permaculture Design Certificate
- support learners without needing to deliver or assess the full PDC curriculum
- maintain consistency and accreditation across cohorts
- focus on mentoring, facilitation, and contextual relevance
- offer a paced alternative to intensive block courses
- work with learners over time rather than in short, high-pressure formats
Who this delivery model suits
This facilitated pathway works well for hosts who:
- want to support learners through a PDC without building a full curriculum from scratch
- value mentoring, discussion, and peer learning
- are comfortable facilitating rather than formally instructing
- want a flexible structure that accommodates real-world constraints
- are working with learners who prefer paced learning over time
Timing and learner commitment
The facilitated model supports learners progressing through the curriculum at a broadly similar pace, while allowing flexibility for individual circumstances.
Learners should plan for approximately 100 hours of engagement, or around 3–4 hours per week across the programme. Completion is not enforced, but consistent participation alongside the cohort is strongly encouraged.
Hosting and enrolment
Facilitated cohorts are hosted by invitation or agreement and are typically limited in size.
Hosts work with Regenpreneur to coordinate enrolment, access, and cohort setup.
If you are interested in hosting your own facilitated PDC cohort and would like to discuss whether this model is a good fit, please get in touch to explore the options. [email protected]
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a design philosophy that draws inspiration from natural systems to create productive and harmonious systems. It originated in the 1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren as a sustainable approach to agriculture. Permaculture has since expanded to include social aspects, business strategies, and systems thinking. It focuses on understanding and utilizing energy flows, such as sunlight and rain, to create resilient designs. The key ethics of permaculture are care for the Earth, care for people, and reinvesting surplus to support these ethics. Permaculture designs emphasize the interconnection and multiple benefits of each element, mimicking the complexity and stability of natural ecosystems.
Testimonials:
“Richard’s course was a fantastic way of being able to complete a PDC remotely. The content and community was engaging, and I learnt a lot. I would highly recommend to those considering furthering their permaculture education.“ Joel 2024
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"Today I officially conclude my 1 year studies in permaculture. Wearing these new pair of lenses has been a journey of observation, taking in a lot of information and breath them out to find my own pace, understanding and creative interpretation of all. I've been blessed with the opportunity to trialing my learnings directly on a whenua which I called my "playground" for a few months; not without challenges, but mostly receiving healing and great feedback from the land itself. Permaculture is not just about growing food but it's a way of living, thinking, planning and flowing in all aspects of life. Today I dedicate this achievement to my grandmothers ko āu te whenua, ko āu te oneone, ko te whenua ko āu, ngā tangata! Special thanks to my mentor, Richard Pedley" - Francesca 2023
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
“Richard’s course was a fantastic way of being able to complete a PDC remotely. The content and community was engaging, and I learnt a lot. I would highly recommend to those considering furthering their permaculture education.“ Joel 2024
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"Today I officially conclude my 1 year studies in permaculture. Wearing these new pair of lenses has been a journey of observation, taking in a lot of information and breath them out to find my own pace, understanding and creative interpretation of all. I've been blessed with the opportunity to trialing my learnings directly on a whenua which I called my "playground" for a few months; not without challenges, but mostly receiving healing and great feedback from the land itself. Permaculture is not just about growing food but it's a way of living, thinking, planning and flowing in all aspects of life. Today I dedicate this achievement to my grandmothers ko āu te whenua, ko āu te oneone, ko te whenua ko āu, ngā tangata! Special thanks to my mentor, Richard Pedley" - Francesca 2023
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
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