Join us at Vale Ondula this autumn for a transformative Permaculture Design Course (PDC) with internationally respected permaculture educator Helder Valente. Over ten immersive days, we’ll dive into the core principles, ethics, and practices of permaculture design—exploring how to regenerate ecosystems, grow resilient food systems, and strengthen communities.

This certified course follows the internationally recognised 72-hour PDC curriculum, enriched with Helder’s decades of teaching experience and Vale Ondula’s living example of permaculture in action. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or seeking to deepen your practice, this course will give you the tools and confidence to design regenerative projects for both land and people.

What You’ll Learn

The course unfolds step by step over 10 days, combining theory, practice, and group work. Each day we’ll dive into a new theme:

• Day 1: What is Permaculture – ethics, principles, and an introduction to design

• Day 2: How Nature Works – patterns, observation, and working with ecosystems

• Day 3: Soil – building fertility, composting, and understanding the living earth

• Day 4: Water – harvesting, conserving, and regenerating water systems

• Day 5: Gardens & Forests – food systems, agroforestry, and forest gardening

• Day 6: Energy Systems & Housing – renewable energy, natural building, and appropriate technology

• Day 7–8: Social Permaculture – communication, community, decision-making, and cultural regeneration

• Day 9: Ecological Design – applying permaculture methods to real-world projects

• Day 10: Presentations & Celebration – sharing group designs and closing the course together

By the end of the course, participants will have created and presented a real group design project, applying everything learned in a practical, hands-on way.

About the Facilitator

Helder Valente is a globally recognised permaculture designer and educator. He studied directly with pioneers such as Bill Mollison, Geoff Lawton, and Rosemary Morrow, and has taught courses and designed projects across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. As founder of the New School Permaculture, Helder is known for his engaging, practical, and inspiring approach that blends deep ecological knowledge with real-world solutions. His courses are designed to empower participants to create meaningful change in their lives and communities.

With decades of experience in diverse climates and communities, Helder brings a rare mix of technical knowledge, storytelling, and cultural insight to his teaching.

About Vale Ondula

Vale Ondula is a permaculture living lab and eco-community located in the lush forests of Northern Portugal. As stewards of 3.6 hectares of land, the community is reimagining food systems, water management, and energy resilience while cultivating a culture of sustainable living and mutual care. With its mix of families, volunteers, and visiting learners, Vale Ondula is an inspiring hub for permaculture education and experimentation.

What’s Included

• All course material

• Daily theory sessions combined with hands-on practical classes (09:00-13:00h & 15:00-19:00h)

• 3 healthy vegetarian meals per day

• A space to pitch your tent at Vale Ondula during the course

• Internationally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate

  
  

What to Bring

• Tent, sleeping bag, and camping gear (or rent our fully equipped motorhome for your stay)

• Notebook and pens for design work

• Comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes for outdoor activities

• Personal water bottle

• Snacks / fruit

• An open mind and willingness to learn together

Contribution

• Supportive - € 750

• Fair - € 700

• Minimum - € 650

Partial Attendance

If you are particularly interested in one or more specific themes, you can contact us to register for individual days of the course.

The first three days of the course (Day 1–3: What is Permaculture, How Nature Works, Soil) form the Permaculture Intro Course, which can also be booked together as a standalone module.

Contribution:

• Full PDC (10 days): see above

• Permaculture Intro Course (3 days): Supportive: €225, Fair: €200, Minimum: €175

• Individual days: Supportive: €75, Fair: €70, Minimum: €65 (please contact us for registration)

Other Upcoming Courses at Vale Ondula

In addition to the full Permaculture Design Course, we also offer shorter, focused trainings:

• Permaculture Forest Course (7–11 October): Explore the art of designing abundant food forests and agroforestry systems. [Learn more →]

• Permaculture Water Course (18–19 October): Discover how to harvest, conserve, and regenerate water in the landscape. [Learn more →]

If you decide to join all three courses — the Design Course, Forest Course, and Water Course — you will receive an Internship Certificate recognising your extended training with Helder Valente at Vale Ondula.

RSVP Required

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot by registering here.

Come dive into permaculture, explore hands-on design and theory, and immerse yourself in 10 days of learning and community at Vale Ondula. We can’t wait to welcome you!