Certified Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Course

DESIGN A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WITH OUR ECOVILLAGE DESIGN COURSE

Are you passionate about building a better world? Join our Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) course to gain essential skills and deep understanding to create thriving regenerative communities.

Upcoming course: Jan 15th – Feb 15th, 2026
*Be one of the first 5 registrants and apply before June 30th 2025 to get your early bird ticket! 

Register Now

WHAT IS ECOVILLAGE DESIGN EDUCATION (EDE)?

The International Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) course, certified by Gaia Education & Global Ecovillage Network, is a 32-day program run by certified trainers. It is recognised as a contributor to UNESCO Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

EDE equips students of all ages with the knowledge and practical skills to design communities and societies that are inspired by the wisdom of nature, utilize energy and materials more efficiently, ensure equitable wealth distribution and well-being, as well as create circular flows of system elements. The insights gained from EDE can also be applied to personal or family transformations, whether in urban or rural settings.

Topics under Social Ecology Culture Economy Dimensions of Ecovillage Design Education

The course is based on the four core dimensions of the Map of Regeneration: Social, Worldview (Cultural), Ecological and Economic with a whole system design approach. The curriculum is built on the extensive experience and knowledge from a global network of successful ecovillages and sustainable communities, ensuring a well-informed and practical approach.

Below is the design of the five weeks following this map of regeneration:

Table of EDE weekly schedule Week 1 Social dimension, Week 2 Worldview/Cultural dimension, Week 3 Economy dimension, Week 4 Ecology dimension, Week 5 Whole system design

Why Take EDE at Gaia Ashram?

  • Teaching from Lived Experience: Gaia Ashram was brought to life by Earth stewards who themselves attended the Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) course, a journey that profoundly influenced the creation of the ecovillage. This highlights the tangible impact and transformative power of the EDE curriculum. With over a decade of experience in building and nurturing ecovillage, we are enthusiastic about sharing our insights and experiences with you.
  • Unique Learning Environment: At Gaia Ashram, you’ll learn from both a well-established intentional ecovillage and the traditional village of Isan. Our living community practices, combined with the extensive experience working with local communities, offers a rich and immersive learning experience that seamlessly integrates traditional wisdom with modern sustainable practices.
  • Community Integration: The knowledge and lived experiences gained during the course can be applied across various settings, from projects and intentional communities to local groups. Gaia Ashram actively collaborates with the local village and school to integrate the EDE curriculum into their education system. This provides a unique perspective on how EDE principles can enhance and transform local education, fostering a sustainable future from the ground up.
  • Hands on and experiential approach: Our course embraces a head-heart-hand approach, transcending mere theory to offer real-world examples and hands-on experiences of how to apply EDE in diverse contexts. You’ll witness firsthand how sustainable practices are implemented and maintained in a thriving ecovillage.
  • Experienced Facilitators: Gaia Ashram has been hosting EDE since 2014. Our facilitators are seasoned community builders who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, having collaborated with a diverse array of groups, including NGO workers, young activists, international students, and local communities. They employ participatory teaching methods that spring from different teachings and lineages, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for all participants.

Daily Schedule 

Time Activity 5:30 - 6:30 AM Meditation (Optional) 6:30 - 7:15 AM Yoga/Tai Chi (Optional) 7:30 - 8:30 AM Breakfast 8:45 - 9:00 AM Morning Check 9:00 - 10:30 AM Session 1 10:30 - 10:45 AM Tea Break 10:45 - 12:30 PM Session 2 12:30 - 2:30 PM Lunch & Rest 2:30 - 4:30 PM Session 3 4:30 - 4:45 PM Tea Break 4:45 - 5:30 PM Session 4 (Practical) 5:45 - 7:00 PM Yoga/Dance (Optional) 7:00 - 8:00 PM Dinner All day Day off (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner served as usual)

Your Contribution

Standard fee: 

59,500 THB per person

Early bird fees: 

56,000 THB per person. Register and pay deposit before June 30th, 2025. Limited spaces available. imited spaces available.

This contribution covers:

• High quality facilitation by experienced and accredited trainers from different countries with diverse backgrounds
• A full-day exposure trip
• 3 meals each day and lodging
• All for a 32-day program

*The remaining fee shall be paid on arrival in THB cash. Fees in USD are only an approximation and is subjected to change depending on the foreign exchange rate.

How to Apply?

Register in our Registration form and  make a deposit down payment of 200 USD to secure your spot . The remaining fee, after the down payment, will be paid after the program is confirmed, through electronic transfer or cash at arrival. 

*** Please note that this course will only happen when with a minimum number of 16 participants. We will announce by September 30th 2024 whether or not the course will happen. In case of cancellation from our side all the deposit payment will be fully refunded.

If we could not reach the expected number of participants by September 30th, 2025 The course will be postponed to January 5th -February 5th 2027

*Apply before Sep 30th 2024 to get your early bird ticket. [UPDATE: Early bird tickets sold out]

Register Now
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Interested, but don’t have enough time for our 32-day EDE? Check out our 6-day Ecovillage Lifestyle Experience Week (ELEW) Course aka mini-EDE and 5-day Deep Ecology Course

Want to get in depth into Ecological Dimension? Check out our transformative 17-day Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course

Check out also our Training of Trainers Course if you want to become certified Gaia Education Trainers.

get to know our facilitators

Om Sunisa teaching Ecovillage Design Education at Gaia Ashram

Om Sunisa Jamwiset Deiters

Co-founder of Gaia Ashram, Thailand
Om is a seasoned educator and co-founder of Gaia Ashram & Gaia School Asia. With over a decade of experience in ecovillage communities, including Wongsanit Ashram and the Panya project, she is a dedicated advocate for sustainable living. As a facilitator of Ecovillage Design Education, Socially Engaged Spirituality, and Training of Trainers, Om empowers diverse groups through participatory learning focused on deep ecology and nature connection. Her work has spanned NGOs, youth, and international communities.
Kai Sawyer in rice paddy

Kai Sawyer

Founder of Peace and Permaculture Dojo, Japan
Kai is a leading sustainability advocate, educator, and founder of Tokyo Urban Permaculture and Peace and Permaculture Dojo. Rooted in activism and permaculture, he has dedicated his life to fostering a harmonious relationship between people and the planet. With a global teaching presence, Kai is a sought-after expert in sustainable living, systems thinking, and nonviolence communication. His work has influenced policy, academia, and communities worldwide.
Thao Kin

Thao Ngo (Kin)

Co-founder of Project Awe, Vietnam
Kin is a passionate ecologist and educator, co-founding Project Awe to foster deeper connections with self, community, and nature. With a Master's in Sustainable Development and extensive non-profit experience, she is a skilled trainer, facilitator, and course designer. As a Work-that-Reconnects Facilitator and network weaver for GENOA, Kin is dedicated to building resilient communities and inspiring ecological consciousness.
Petra Carman posting on green background Ecovillage Design Education facilitator

Petra Čarman

Facilitator & Trainer | Psychologist PhD | Holistic Learning Consultant, Slovenia
Petra Čarman is a dedicated facilitator and independent researcher specializing in the human-nature relationship and social influence within ecovillages. Since 2018, Petra has actively contributed to the Awakening Leadership Training program, an advanced 3-6 months Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) initiative in Thailand. Petra’s expertise uniquely aligns with the cultural/worldview and social dimensions of EDE. She emphasizes holistic, embodied knowledge approaches, guiding participants on their transformational learning journeys, fostering mindfulness, empowerment, and personal growth.
Benjamin Murray smiling gardening

Benjamin Murray

Founder of Holistic Regeneration, UK
Benjamin Murray is an ecological designer and teacher with decades of hands-on experience in organic farming, natural building, and landscape architecture. Through Holistic Regeneration, Ben has shared his knowledge from Asia, African to Europe, empowering communities with practical skills for sustainable living. He is currently working as an itinerant trainer of transformational and empowering workshops and courses including the 17-day Permaculture Design Certificate Course at Gaia Ashram.
EDE2018 Tom _ Jake

Tom Deiters

Co-founder of Gaia Ashram, Thailand
Tom Deiters is a permaculture and agroforestry practitioner and co-founder of Gaia Ashram. With a deep reverence for nature and extensive experience in organic farming, Tom has played a pivotal role in establishing Gaia Ashram as a thriving model of sustainable living. As the lead for regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration at Gaia Ashram, he brings a wealth of knowledge and practical skills to the course, empowering participants to design communities that thrive in harmony with the natural world.