Permaculture Design Course
October 05 to 19, 2025 - Lagos, Portugal

Permaculture training that includes collaborative design and practical skills sessions.

Internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate,

including collaborative design and practical skills sessions 

The Permaculture Design Course gives you the tools to create ecological, social and economic systems that effectively meet your needs while regenerating the landscapes around you for the benefit of future generations.

Our team of teachers consistently receives praise from students for being knowledgeable, attentive and using a variety of teaching methods. We strive to balance theoretical learning with practical sessions, some located on parts of the farm where examples of what is being taught are present in the landscape. We also focus on building practical skills for collaborative and resilient design, exploring innovative methods and tools. Our aim is to offer complete learning cycles, allowing students to fully experience and integrate the curriculum.

This course is presented by the following partners:

Novas Descobertas Association

Course learning goals

Design

Practice observation and surveying techniques; learn to read and make maps, select and use tools for site analysis and evaluation; integrate climate-specific ethics, principles and strategies to create innovative design solutions and experience various interactions of group design processes.

Climate and relief

Adapts design strategies to climate patterns; observes, improves and creates microclimates; adapts design to slope, elevation, orientation and local climate patterns.

Water

Understands the natural water cycle and the effects of human intervention. Uses earthworks to harvest rainfall, recharge depleted groundwater and prevent erosion. Learn to use and reuse water responsibly, including greywater solutions, constructed wetlands and aquaculture.

Soil

Understands the living and non-living aspects of soil and how proper human management can maximize soil productivity and health. Knows strategies and practices techniques that increase soil fertility and resilience in different climates and at different scales of use.

Living Landscape Management

Understand the basic principles of ecology: succession, nutrient cycling and energy flows, behavior of complex systems. Select appropriate solutions for intensive and extensive landscapes; Understand the benefits of multiple yield systems at different scales, including diversified gardens, agroforests, agrosilvopastoral landscapes and managed forests.

Social and economic applications

Understand the appropriate technologies and techniques for sustainable human construction and society, including: natural building, energy-efficient home design, community and decision-making strategies, cities in transition, ethical livelihood creation and micro-enterprise, solidarity/social economy, local/alternative currencies.

More about the course

The teaching team

Lesley Martin

Lesley Martin

Quinta Vale da Lama

Lesley has been teaching permaculture for over 20 years. In 1995, while running an organic farm in the UK, she completed her PDC with George Sobol, who was also her permaculture diploma tutor. After 2 years of study and training, she became a Permaculture teacher, working for government and adult training institutions in Great Britain. In 1998, she moved to the Monchique mountains. She began designing and implementing permaculture at Quinta Vale da Lama.

Hugo Oliveira

Hugo Oliveira

Orla Design

Landscape Ecologist and Permaculture Designer. Co-founder of Orla Design and Regenerative Design Consultant. He has a master's degree in Ecological Design Thinking from Schumacher College and is completing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Landscape Management at the University of Évora. He has been actively working with Permaculture as a designer, trainer and researcher since 2006, mainly in the field of Ecological Landscape in Europe, Asia and Australia. He worked as a researcher at the Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (Uni.Lisboa). At Quinta Vale da Lama, he advises on regenerative landscape strategies for the semi-arid Mediterranean, with a focus on agroforestry as a regeneration tool.

Important details

Dates

Camp dates:
October 5th to 19th, 2025

Arrives: October 4th after 5:30 p.m.
Departure: Until October 19th at 12 noon

Registration deadline:
September 14th, 2025

For whom?

From 18 years old.

Languages

English, with translation into Portuguese of specific and/or technical terms when necessary.

Where

At Quinta Vale da Lama.
In our activity area - Campo do Vale.
See how to get to Campo do Vale - Quinta Vale da Lama

Schedule

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Optional evening sessions.
Sample timetable
Click here to see.

Prices

  • 725€ Full - All meals and camping included
  • 600€ Partial - Non-residential, includes lunch only
What does it include?
  • The curriculum of the 72-hour Permaculture Design Course, presented by a diverse and experienced team of teachers and certified by Lesley Martin;
  • 2 days of extra content offered by the team of teachers and guests; including collaborative design methods and tools and site visits to Quinta Vale da Lama and other local projects;
  • Social permaculture in practice throughout the course experience; including community decision-making methods, group facilitation tools and knowledge sharing;
  • Ethically sourced vegetarian food from our own production and local sources. 3 meals a day (only lunch for non-resident participants), plus snacks and tea/coffee during breaks;
  • Access to our site's facilities, including prepared and shaded camping areas, hot showers, indoor toilets and cafeteria, as well as Wi-Fi, charging stations, course library, tools and teaching materials.

For scholarships and other information: programas@projectonovasdescobertas.org

Camping & Facilities

Campo do Vale at Quinta Vale da Lama

Participants will have access to on-site camping facilities, including shaded tent sites, showers, toilets, a cafeteria and recreational areas. Some camping materials can be provided; please indicate your needs on the registration form.

1 Workshop area

2 Multi-purpose kitchen

3 - Bathrooms and showers

4 - Outdoor meeting area and camping area

5 - Versatile indoor pavilion

General photos

Quinta Vale da Lama

43 hectares - Connecting people of all ages to nature

Thousands of trees have been carefully planted, complemented by the installation of water collection systems to reinforce their growth.

Soil fertility receives special attention and is continually enriched through the incorporation of indigenous microorganisms, compost, bokashi, earthworms, mulch and other natural soil improvers.

An on-site soil laboratory helps monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. In addition, a small group of sheep, two donkeys and a handful of chickens are strategically rotated on various plots, adhering to a holistic grazing plan designed to optimize the health of the land. In addition, the creation of five temporary Mediterranean ponds serves to promote biodiversity.

What people say about the PDC

"I came to this course looking for more knowledge on how to work with the land in a regenerative way. I found this and much more!"

Charlie McCallum

Tavira, Portugal

"This is the place for anyone looking to do their PDC; not only for the wonderful places that surround you, but also for the quality of the teaching and the way it is shared, all the resources and the team that supports this experience."

Teresa Henriques

Cartaxo, Portugal

"Doing a two-week CPD can be intense, as it's a lot of information in a short period of time, but the team knew how to keep the space and look after everyone! I would recommend this PDC to anyone, anywhere, who wants to live a more connected life!"

Jim Groot

The Netherlands

"Without a doubt, a phenomenal program! Between the stimulating learning environment, the practical application of permaculture principles in real-world situations, and meeting and connecting with other permaculture enthusiasts in the region, this course has greatly contributed to deepening my understanding, the ability to implement immediately in my own situation, and broadening my knowledge base so that I can continue to spread this knowledge to others."

Shana Ritter

Odiáxere, Portugal

Frequently Asked Questions

REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION

How much is the deposit? Is it part of the course fee?

The deposit is 100€ and secures your place. Yes, it is part of the total cost of the course, we will inform you by email when you have to pay the remaining balance.

Is there a refund policy?

  • Deposits are non-refundable 1 month before the course start date.
  • The full tuition fee must be paid 1 month before the start date of the course.
  • In the unlikely event of course cancellation, participants will be notified at least 2 weeks before the course start date and the tuition fee and deposit will be refunded in full.
  • COVID-19 cancellation policy: We reserve the right to cancel a course up to 2 days before the course start date if the course is likely to coincide with a government quarantine/travel ban in our region due to the novel coronavirus. In this case, we will refund the course fees in full, including the deposit.

How quickly will they respond if I'm accepted?

Your registration will take place immediately after the registration process has been completed. We will send you an electronic confirmation message; this is not an automatic response (we like to read the form first and respond personally), so it may take a few days before you receive the last confirmation. If the course is full, we have a waiting list and we will let you know.

DIET & FOOD

If I'm allergic to certain foods, is there an option for me?

We offer a vegetarian and vegan diet. Please inform us of any food allergies on your registration form.

Can I bring my own food and prepare it in your space?

We provide all meals during the course, including snacks. Students will not have access to the kitchen outside of cooking hours. Don't hesitate to bring along snacks or any other specific elements of your diet, which can be stored in a designated space for your convenience.

ACCOMMODATION

How to get there? And when?

You will receive an email with general details after your registration, as well as a final confirmation 2 weeks before the start of the course with all the details on how and when to reach us. Please make sure we make travel arrangements to meet the timetable accordingly.

Where can I park my car/camper?

We have a few options for parking; tell us how you're traveling and we'll find the best option for you.

What should I bring to camp at your site?

We suggest you bring: a notebook and pen, work clothes/shoes, camping equipment (tent/sleeping bag/bed), toiletries, swimming equipment, hat, warm jacket/raincoat, water bottle/personal cup and flashlight. If you're coming by car or from far away, bring tools and work gloves.

Can you provide any camping equipment?

We have some tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and warm blankets, which we'd be happy to share with you if you're coming from far away. Let us know on your registration form or contact us for more information.

Can I bring my pets?

We have our own pets and farm animals, as well as children around, so we ask participants not to bring pets into our space.

Is there a laundry room?

We don't have a laundry service during the course days. It is possible to do some shared laundry on the day off. Hand-washing facilities will be available on the other days.

Can I bring my electronic devices and charge them? Is there Internet?

Yes, it's possible. Wifi is also available.

Is there insurance?

We have general insurance to cover personal accidents and injuries.

CULTURE

What is the culture of your learning community?

Our aim is to co-create a common learning experience. Our team is willing to facilitate what can emerge from the best contribution of each group. We believe that the landscape we are part of makes its own contribution to each group experience. Having no affiliation with spiritual or religious practices, we are open to seeing what can emerge from the intention to be aware of and connected to the land.
Our space is a learning environment where people of all ages and backgrounds experience the possibility of bringing a regenerative approach to life into the world; making decisions collectively, restoring ecosystems, finding beneficial communication patterns and deepening our awareness of being nature through our senses.

Can I smoke on your campus? What about drugs and alcohol during the course?

Our space is an educational campus that promotes healthy lifestyles, with children often sharing the space with us. For these reasons, we ask everyone to avoid any drugs and to respect the designated smoking areas and consume alcohol responsibly on site. We ask that you take care not to leave glasses, bottles or cigarette butts lying around.

COURSE DETAILS

What language is the course taught in?

Our courses are taught in English. Translation into Portuguese can be done if necessary. Group work can be organized by mother tongue if necessary.

What is the course timetable?

Today's standard is:
8-8.45am: Breakfast
9-1pm: Morning circle, sessions focusing on theory and examples from the core curriculum
1-2pm: Lunch
2-6pm: Group work, sessions focused on collaboration, design and practical skills
7-8pm: Dinner
9-10pm: Evening session: co-created with the participants according to their interests, available skills and the themes of the day

Does this course offer any digital teaching materials?

We will offer some materials that we have collected over our many years of offering these PDCs; including presentations of the core curriculum, plus additional resources to support self-learning. During the course, we will invite students to organize the best way to record and share learning according to the needs and ideas of the group.

Is there a free day?

Yes, there will be a free day in the middle of the course so that you can rest and enjoy our surroundings.

CERTIFICATE

Will I receive a certificate when I complete this Permaculture Design Course?

Yes, you will receive a certificate of participation issued by Lesley Martin and her team. This is a certified introductory course, a first step in permaculture education. As part of our course, at the end we will explore possible next steps in your learning and working path.

Is there a minimum number of classes I must attend?

Participants must attend 75% of the PDC sessions to obtain their certificate, as well as participate in and present the final Group Design project.

VISITS AND COLLABORATIONS

When can I visit?

Vale da Lama organizes weekly guided tours to get to know the Quinta. To visit Campo do Vale - educational campus, contact us beforehand to find out about open days or join Volunteering Saturdays, a perfect opportunity to join in the action.

Can I volunteer for your project after or before the PDC?

We often organize volunteer opportunities, cutting-edge programs and other activities around our courses. Get in touch with us and we'll let you know all the options available.

Can I bring my children or family with me?

Our space is safe and can accommodate people of all ages, so we can consider the possibility of having your family and children with you; depending on the number of participants on the course and on payment of an extra fee to cover food and accommodation. Depending on the age and level of autonomy of the children, we can suggest and help find someone to look after them. For more information, please contact us.

MORE INFORMATION

None of my questions are here...

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact: programas@projectonovasdescobertas.org

 

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Permaculture Design Course
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