The Dutch EDE vision
In this EDE we try to create a close interaction between teachers and students and between students themselves. Participants with expertise in specific fields are invited to share their knowledge with the whole group. Hands-on activities will also be facilitated by course participants. We as teachers will often participate in group – and other processes, partly as supervisors/counsellors, but also co-discovering the actual teachings and the learning process as result of the current (socio-cultural) situation.
Authenticity is achieved by using real situations within learning environments. The exercises will draw on real situations from participants’ and facilitators’ lives, so that the learning will be both an understanding of theory and abstract concepts and – often more important – a deepening experience of the applied concepts in concrete socio-cultural situations. The several levels of learning environment are
- your individual inner universe with your personal imprints from your past life, your world-views, your stories, feelings, possibilities of thoughts,
- the participants as a group with its inter-individual dynamics like shared cultural backgrounds as well as inter-cultural dynamics; personal reactions on one another; co-creations like mutual support and potential shared ideas as well as conflicts and misunderstandings;
- and the different ecovillages and excursions, with all its existing and tangible examples.
The Dutch EDE team
For whom?
- Students with an interest in sustainable design
- Teachers who want to educate on sustainability
- People who are interested in developing sustainable group projects
- Residents or builders of sustainable communities and eco villages
- Urban and rural activists, organizers and designers
- Urban planners and municipalities who want to bring about a positive change for their citizens
- University faculties that want to offer their students a holistic approach
- Professionals in architecture, engineering and construction
- Local businesses and multinational companies interested in social, sustainable and ethical issues
Components
The program consists of several fun components:
The EDE uses many different methods to learn. The theory is also applied in practice. From the beginning, the group forms a community in which tasks are divided among the participants. In addition, we almost daily work together with the community practicing our practical skills, such as working with clay, gardening in the permaculture garden, making art and making designs.
At the beginning of the EDE training you get the opportunity to formulate the goals you want to work on during the course. During the EDE training we will concentrate on different ways to work on our own goals. We work with peer-to-peer groups, where you can reflect on your own processes in pairs. We also work with ‘home’ groups (CLANS), which reflect on group processes, the content of the EDE, personal goals and feedback.
Learning outcomes
Social Design
In the Social section participants learn:
- to develop a common vision for a collective project, including and transcending individual perspectives;
- to make decisions that everyone can accept and support;
- to improve their communication skills and communicate in a more compassionate way;
- to deal with conflict and diversity as an invitation to growth.

Ecological Design
In Ecological section participants explore:
- Whole Systems Approach to Ecological Design;
- Benefits of Bioregionalism;
- Key principles in the application of Appropriate Technologies for clean energy, living water, green buildings and healthy soils.
- ‘hands on’ play with earth materials and mini eco-kits to purify waters, tours of local gardens and eco-buildings, calculating carbon footprints and opportunities for artistic expression.

Economic Design
In Economic section participants explore:
- The dominant pattern and possible leverage points for change within today’s globalised economy;
- Ways to bring economic life into alignment with ecological values;
- Right livelihood & social enterprise;
- How money works; community banks and local currencies;
- Relevant legal and financial issues for Ecovillage projects.

Worldview
In the Worldview section participants learn:
- to recognise and communicate sustainability to diverse worldviews;
- to create a deep connection with Nature through personal experience;
- to develop a regular spiritual practice that facilitates the ability to balance inner and outer work;
- to design ceremonies for the most significant moments in their projects;
- to apply transition principles and ingredients in their project.
