PDC Festança EN

Intensive Permaculture Design Certificate Course (PDC)

Intensive PDC course with Hélder Valente

Highly regarded portuguese permaculturist who was a student of Bill Molinson, the father of permaculture.

(Relevant FAQs are answered below on this page)

Pictures of Festança’s 2022 PDC – with Hélder Valente


PDC Program

This Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course is an intensive immersion in the universe of Permaculture. This course is designed to support students to develop an ecological language, an understanding of the basic principles of ecological and regenerative design, with the application of this knowledge to redesign communities and human settlements according to the rules of nature.

The main goal of this course is to develop effective design skills through the practical application of knowledge and tools. This is the opportunity to learn by participating in a true community design process.

The Course follows the traditional format of 10 days (intensive), combining practical and theoretical classes, field trips, interactive games, dynamic activities, sharing experiences, community experience and much more. This format allows you to dive into design principles in Permaculture, which will be applied and presented by students in the final design work.

Some of the topics to be covered in this course:

– The ethics and principles of Permaculture
– Learning strategies
– Educational Methods
– Reading the landscape
– Pattern in design
– Biodiversity
– Water preservation
– Forests and trees
– Soils building
– Climates
– Buildings and natural construction
– Alternative economies
– Community development

16 Jul – Introduction to Permaculture

17 Jul – How the planet works

18 Jul – Soils

19 Jul – Water

20 Jul – Planet and trees, gardens and forests

21 Jul – Alternative technologies

22 and 23 Jul – Social Permaculture

24 Jul – Design of the festival and of permaculture projects

25 Jul – Presentation of the projects and party

25 Jul – Presentation of the projects and party

26 and 27 Jul – PLV Permaculture Local Visits

28, 29, 30 and 31 Jul to 1 Aug – Design Permaculture Festival

Other FAQs

For 20 years Hélder Valente has fallen in love with permaculture, a concept that is only now reaching the most of the public (in Portugal and in the world).

The term was coined by David Holmgren and Bill Mollison, in the late 70’s, to describe an “evolving integrated system of perennial plant species and animals that are perpetuated, useful to man”.

But the concept has evolved, and today Holmgren defines it as: “Consciously designed landscapes that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while providing abundance of food and energy to meet local needs. People, buildings and the way they are organised are central to permaculture. Thus, the permanent or sustainable permaculture vision has evolved into that of a permanent or sustainable culture. ”

Definitions there are many. Some see it as a practice that is “a step ahead of biological agriculture”, others already associate it with a cultural and philosophical movement.

For Hélder, a permaculture teacher for a decade, the simplest way to explain it is through the image of “paradise”. “Permaculture is to create paradise again. Not only the paradise gardens, full of delicious fruits, but also the social part of paradise – to live in harmony with each other, not in competition, but in collaboration. This is where true sustainability is. Today, permaculture focuses on regenerating ecosystems, forests, but also on exploring how people can work together more efficiently. ”

Dates: 16 July to August 1, 2023
Daily hours: 9.00 am to 6.30 pm
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Location: Área de Lazer de Ancede e Ribadouro, in Ancede – Baião, Portugal (Festança festival venue)

The investment for the Intensive PDC course is special for those who come to Festança, and therefore, we have a special fee of 500€ for those. If you are not comming to Festança the fee is 550€. It includes:

– The training
– Showers
– Meals
– Access to a potable water source to drink
– Free camping, both for tents (bring a tent and its necessary accessories) and for caravans
– Walk on the tracks around the venue
– Small river beach for diving
– Family and welcoming environment

Yes, if you need, you can talk with us. Please email us to info@festanca.org.

Free camping for tents or caravans | All camping material is of the responsibility of the participant. It should be noted that the leisure area has all the conditions for camping, including electricity. If you are looking for a place to stay, please contact us, as there is an extra fee for that.

In addition to the extremely valuable set of knowledge, skills and experience you will gain from this course, you will also have the opportunity to collaborate closely with other participants with similar motivations and interests from different locations, and to develop your network.

Most importantly, you’ll have lifetime access to the learning materials and footage we’ll be taking so you can keep track of the videos of the course. Upon successful completion of this course, you will also receive a Certificate of Completion of the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC).

This course is an international course that is open to anyone interested in Permaculture. However, in case we have many participants interested, we will give priority to those who live in Portugal, and to those who show a philosophy that is closer to his/her personal goals and a philosophy that is closer to the course objectives (to be filled out in the registration form).

-Material as a notebook to take notes and record what you think is important.
-Pens of different colors
-Waterproof jacket
– Cutlery and plate if possible
-Bottle and cup for water and other drinks
-Biodegradable soap or shampoo
-Tent and sleeping bag

The course will be taught in Portuguese. For foreign participants, it will be translated into English.

Testimonials

About Hélder and his work

“Permaculture emerged as a very natural response. Deep down, I wanted to be more self-sufficient, to live less dependent on external resources.”

— Hélder Valente, Permaculturist

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Any extra doubt, you know: info@festanca

See you soon!

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