This practical course will bring the possibility of significant and positive life changes. Although permaculture is most commonly thought about in connection with gardening & farming, its principles, ethics and design methods can be adapted and used in each individual's own work, interests and home to bring about a more harmonious & sustainable lifestyle. Permaculture offers a perspective on all aspects of building a sustainable future. Permaculture encourages us to use our individual skills, knowledge and interests, whilst drawing on traditional wisdom, science and our innate ability to observe and learn from the world around us.

This course will look particularly at permaculture design applied to drylands, Malta also adding the limitations of a rocky landscape & salty sea winds.

Bahrija Oasis is a small scale research and development project promoting permaculture systems, agro-forestry and integrating today’s green technology with ecological land based living through a sustainable vision. It is a camping-based venue, with outdoor composting toilet and shower facilities in a beautiful part of Malta. Malta is the smallest archipelago of islands in the Mediterranean and is home to the most ancient pre-historic temples in the world.

The magic of the place is not only natural but also very historic. The project site is documented to have supported ancient civilizations dating back to the Bronze Age, as it sits between two majestic rocks on which a Bronze Age village is believed to have existed. This notion is very significant to the realisation of our visions in creating permanent cultures. The flora and micro climate of the area have a lot to teach us, and by observing the progression of Bahrija Oasis in comparison to nearby land, we can gain a lot from our interactive feedback.

We use group work, discussions, videos, slide shows, observation, guided walks & practical activities as learning methods. These are supportive of different learning styles & for people with learning difficulties. We will also be visiting other projects where permaculture theory is being put into action.

Design courses are not just about imparting information to the students, there is plenty of knowledge out there, the important thing is knowing how to use this & feeling confident to do so.

Empowerment is the essence of the course. We will be using practical and theoretical teaching methods to create a fun, lively & inclusive course. The course culminates in the main design activity that helps to consolidate all of the learning & empower students to take permaculture back into their own homes, lives & community. As a group we will benefit from collaborative learning & from having fun together. We don't expect any previous knowledge & recognise that everyone has their own unique skills, knowledge & areas of interest to bring to the course.