Transform your future with Gaia Education’s Design for Sustainability and Regeneration Course
Join our 12-months online sustainability course to master Whole-Systems Design Skills
Learn to create Sustainable and Resilient Communities for a Better Tomorrow
Gaia Education’s online learning course, Design for Sustainability & Regeneration, provides participants with whole-systems design and systemic thinking skills, analytical abilities, and practical tools to support the redesign of human presence on Earth, one local community and bioregion at a time. Offered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, the program reaches a global audience.
Programme Structure
The programme is divided into four interconnected dimensions: Social Design, Ecological Design, Economic Design, and Worldview. Each dimension spans eight weeks and can be taken individually or as part of the entire course. The course culminates with the Design Studio, providing an opportunity to work with a design team and focus on real-life design projects proposed by the participants.
Who Can Join?
The GEDS course is open to everyone! No prerequisites are required. All you need is access to a computer with a current browser, an Internet connection, and a commitment to learn.
Why Sustainable and Regenerative Design?
We live in a rapidly changing world facing deep and pressing concerns such as global inequality, climate change, biodiversity loss, unrestrained urbanisation, and destructive economic growth. We are all called to actively participate in the effort to redesign and co-create a healthier, more fulfilling world. Gaia Education’s online programme will provide you with a deeper understanding of how to integrate systemic thinking into all processes and create a multiplier effect for education for sustainability.
Course Dimensions
Social Design
starts: October 2025
The aim is to give you a better understanding of social equity, gender equality, inclusivity, and justice, as well as the need for widespread participation and collaborative action in the transition towards resilient, nourishing, and thriving social systems.
In the Social Dimension, you will learn:
- To create a common vision for a collective project
- To use nonviolent communication
- To improve your communication skills and communicate more compassionately
- To use participatory processes to make decisions that everyone can accept
- To navigate conflict and embrace diversity – of ideas, beliefs, roles, etc.
- To map the network of connections needed for your projects.
Worldview
starts: 24 March 2025
The Worldview Dimension invites you to become more conscious of how our own worldview and value system affect our perceived needs and inform the way we design solutions.
In the Worldview Dimension, you will learn:
- To select or create a regular spiritual practice
- To observe and become aware of how worldviews permeate design and decision-making
- To create a deep connection with nature through personal experience
- To create rituals for significant moments in your projects
- To develop a healthy lifestyle
Ecological Design
starts: 13 January 2025
Ecological designers ensure that life-supporting natural functions are not only preserved but regenerated whenever possible. They work with nature rather than against it to support the creation of life.
In the Ecological Dimension, you will learn:
- To make whole-systems designs using permaculture principles
- To use base maps and other designing techniques
- To calculate your carbon footprint and design to be carbon neutral
- To design a whole water system for your projects
Economic Design
starts: 26 May 2025
Our current economic system is unsustainable, yet few are aware of the alternatives. This course will help you understand those alternatives and the true meaning of economy and wealth.
In the Economic Dimension, you will learn:
- To assess the impact of the global economy on your projects
- To find and develop economic opportunities within a social enterprise model
- To create a complementary currency
- To create a business plan
- To find ethical finance opportunities for your projects
Design Studio
The Design Studio practices the application of Gaia Education’s Design For Sustainability & Regenerative System principles. Collaborate with a design team to develop skills in applying what you've learned to real-world projects. The design project serves as an integrative exercise, exploring the relationships between personal, social, ecological, and economic sustainability.
Advanced Education Opportunities
We now partner with Ubiquity University. You can continue your education by obtaining a Master's or PhD after completing your GEDS.
Testimonials and Impact
At Gaia Education, we are proud of our participants who go out and make a change in the world. They join local, regional, and global initiatives and use the knowledge and skills they learned to create positive impact and social transformation. From teaching children and adults about sustainability to creating sustainable businesses, our alumni are making a difference in many ways.
Programme Overview
Type: e-Learning
Start Date: Anytime
Study Time: 5 hours/ week
Facilitation: With Facilitators
Level: Intermediate
Certificate: Yes (4 dimensions + DS)
Developed by:
Who can take the GEDS course?
The GEDS course is open to everyone! No prerequisites. All you need is access to a computer with a current browser, an Internet connection and a commitment to learn.
When does the programme start?
You can sign up for the full certificate at any of the dimensions and complete the programme within two years (GEDS start dates below). However, the Design Studio is only offered at a specific time and can only be taken after all 4 dimensions have been completed (more info on the start dates of the Design Studio here). You can also take one dimension at a time and complete the program within a maximum of three years.
Gaia Education Design for Sustainability start dates:
- Social Design: 4 October 2021
(Registrations are open until 11 October 2021) - Ecological Design: 10 January 2022
(Registrations are open until 17 January 2022) - Worldview 21 March 2022
(Registrations are open until 28 March 2022) - Economic Design: 30 May 2022
(Registrations are open until 6 June 2022)
FAQ - Gaia Education’s Design for Sustainability and Regeneration
FAQ - Gaia Education’s Design for Sustainability and Regeneration
Please see a list of potential questions below, If you have any more questions, please contact us through our website or email us at info@gaiaeducation.org.
We are here to help you on your journey towards sustainability and regeneration.
The GEDS is a 12-month online program that provides participants with whole-systems design and systemic thinking skills, analytical abilities, and practical tools to support the redesign of the human presence on Earth, focusing on local communities and bioregions.
The program is divided into four interconnected dimensions: Social Design, Ecological Design, Economic Design, and Worldview, each conducted over an eight-week period. Additionally, there is a Design Studio that focuses on real-life design projects.
The course is open to everyone. There are no prerequisites. All you need is access to a computer with a current browser, an internet connection, and a commitment to learn. We have participants from all countries in the world. when you enter this course you will join an online community of practice that will be with you all the way.
The course is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. This is the page of the English version, please click on each language to check the contents, prices and dates for each one.
You can start the full certificate program at the beginning of any dimension. The program can be completed within one to three years. Specific start dates for each dimension are provided on our website. The advantage of signing and registering before September is the discounted prices for the 4+1 dimensions, and the possibility of entering a cohort that will be with you for your entire journey.
You can only take one Dimension at a time and complete the program within a maximum of three years. This allows flexibility in how you engage with the programme.
Yes, upon successfully completing the four dimensions and the Design Studio, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. With that certificate you can start your journey to become a Gaia Education certified trainer. Another elegant option is to use this knowledge and apply for a Master or PhD Degree, with this programme you are entitled to start working on your Dissertation or Thesis. See more details here.
On average, participants should dedicate 5-10 hours per week to study and engagement with the material.
Yes, we partner with Ubiquity University, and you can continue your education to obtain a Master’s or PhD once you have completed the GEDS program. See more details here.
Yes, a limited number of full and partial scholarships are available for individual dimensions only. Applications for scholarships are ongoing and you can only apply to Dimensions indi vidually.
If you purchase the full GEDS package, it costs is £1500 GBP , instead of £1760 GBP when buying each dimension separately. You can see here many discounts or payments options.
- Social Design: Social equity, gender equality, inclusivity, justice, and community collaboration.
- Ecological Design: Sustainable settlement design, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and clean energy.
- Economic Design: Alternatives to the current economic system, social enterprises, and complementary currencies.
- Worldview: Understanding different worldviews, spiritual practices, and deep connection with nature.
Yes, participants have access to a forum, live sessions, additional resources and dedicated facilitators and course coordinators.
Registration
As a Scottish Registered Charity we are able to offer an exceptionally good price. The cost of this unique and exciting programme is £1500 GBP for the full course, instead of £1760 GBP when buying each dimension separately. It may be the best investment you ever make for yourself.
You can sign up for the full certificate by the start of any of the four dimensions whenever is being announced. However, the Design Studio is only offered in August and can only be taken after all 4 dimensions have been completed.
If you choose to take one dimension at a time, then the full price of each dimension is £405GBP and £192.50 GBP for the Design Studio. The Design Studio is a mandatory block if you want to graduate with the full GEDS certificate.
Note: We offer different payment options, please contact us if the options available don't suit you. Please contact us if you can help you something.
Check out the early bird discount available:
- until 7 of September the price is 1232 GBP (with a 30% discount)
Are you ready to start your journey towards sustainability and regeneration? Join us today and become part of a global network of change-makers working towards a sustainable future for all.
For more information, send us an email to info@gaiaeducation.org.
