IPDC
WELCOME TО VEGETARIUM TRAINING PROGRAMM 2024!
We are pleased to introduce our
108-hour Permaculture Design and Integral Wellbeing Interactive Course
COMBINING AN INTEGRAL WELLBEING LIFESTYLE AND QUALIFIED PERMACULTURE DESIGN TRAINING,
WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND FROM NATURE
APPLY HERE (coming soon)
Dates for
THE ONLINE PART 1 in July and
THE 14 DAYS ONSITE PART 2 in August 2024 will be soon fixed!
The training course integrates the classical 72 hours Permaculture Design Course Core Curriculum,
with 36 hours Integral Wellbeing Science and Practice
Please, discover the Course Program
You will join a balanced rhythm of life including:
Various practices for body and soul
Healthy food
Walks in nature
Individual and collective creativity
Physical and mental labour, dedicated to
biodiversity, social unity and personal growth.
Instead of chaotically moving across the ocean of information, in Vegetarium we structure and progress harmoniously using the methods and tools of the Permaculture by B. Mollison and D. Holmgren
and the Integral Approach by K. Wilber, M.D. D. Pashkulev and other specialists.
During the selection process you are expected to agree and upon arrival, to sign a declaration of agreement with our general rules and daily routine.
DETAILED COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This 108-hour Permaculture Design and Integral Wellbeing Interactive Course is aimed at creating strong and relevant skills, knowledge and attitude among participants, as well as promoting core human values.
All training materials supporting both the online (PART 1) and on-site (PART 2) stages of the course will be video documented, uploaded on the web, and granted open access. This is expected to raise the awareness about permaculture, integral living and solidarity actions among the general public.
The successful completion of the training course will be validated with the corresponding training course successful achievement Certificate, issued on behalf of the Balkan Permaculture Organisation and the Integra Foundation.
During our training course all participants act together with a practical contribution for nature, society and their own good. Our Interactive Methodology consists of three key elements:
Supportive Environment:
Our Vegetarium Home Community Centre is designed to foster positive group transformation by providing a supportive environment. This includes both physical and social aspects.
To ensure a conducive atmosphere, we have a code of conduct that all participants must agree to in writing during the selection process.
This approach ensures that our Centre remains a safe and nurturing space for all participants.
Attractive Methods of Work and Education: Vegetarium employs an engaging Interactive Education Process to support trainees. This process focuses on the development of specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and at the same time is designed to be enjoyable
Competent trainers and team leaders with rich practical experience: Our trainers with rich practical experience, possess knowledge and skills beyond typical teaching requirements.
Permaculture Design and Integral Wellbeing Interactive Course ONLINE PART 1
An important aspect of the course is the preliminary online training PART 1. The successful completion of the foreseen part 1 final exam is a mandatory step for participation in the ONSITE PART 2, on-site activity.
PART 1 contains the mastering of essential competences, saving time and resources, and allowing efficient implementation of the ONSITE PART 2.
ONLINE PART 1 consists in 14 Online sessions of 1,5 hours, implemented via online classroom. Usually, PART 1 takes place in 7 mornings, during 3 and a half weekends, a month before the PART 2 on-site training occurs.
PART 1 PROGRAM:
Online Session 1:
Sharing circle: Who am I? Why am I here? Agreeing on rules and conduction code of the course. Distribute roles; Questions & Answers
Online Session 2:
Permaculture ethics and principles; Learning game; Homework
Online Session 3:
Introduction; What is Permaculture (P); What is Integral Approach (IA); Homework presentations
Online Session 4:
Homework presentations; The Scale of Permanence as a lifestyle & homestead design tool; Questions & answers; Learning game; Homework
Online Session 5:
Main Integral Concepts; Learning game; Question & Answers; Homework presentations
Online Session 6:
The tools of Integral Approach; Learning game; Question & Answers; Homework
Online Session 7:
Google Earth satellite interrogation of a land site; Primary analysis; Learning game
Online Session 8:
Homework presentation; Discussion; The 7 habits of the highly efficient people; Individual exercises
Online Session 9:
Basis of human Health; Complete and proper nutrition; Discussion
Online Session 10:
Evolution of human consciousness. Evolution of social consciousness; Discussion
Online Session 11:
Permaculture design process – principles and practice; Learning game
Online Session 12:
Client interview; Group exercise
Online Session 13:
Intermediate Examen preparation; Group discussion
Online Session 14:
INTERMEDIATE EXAMEN
Permaculture Design and Integral Wellbeing Interactive Course ONSITE PART 2:
Its duration is 14 days, implementing diverse amusing teaching methods and techniques. Some activities are multi-centric: two activities are happening at the same time, e.g. Cooking course with one trainer for one group and simultaneous Morning practice with another trainer for a second group.
The timetable is visible on the Course Program
ONSITE PART 2 of the Integral Permaculture Design Course includes the following Interactive Education Curriculum:
10 Guided Morning Sessions of Integral Wellbeing: healthy morning practices from different traditions;
3 Guided Morning Sessions of healthy cooking;
10 Morning + 10 Evening Group Meeting Sessions of Non-violent communication and Social Permaculture (every morning and evening, excluding days off;
The 40 training sessions of Permaculture
(1,5 hour each, 4 per day):
The 40 training sessions of Permaculture are:
– “Natural Patterns: The Evergreen models of successful organisation”: Discussion;
– “To Hear the Land”: Open-Air Practice;
– “The Science of Reading the land” ; “The Sectors and Slopes of Your Homestead”: Theory;
– “Note mapping”: Practical Exercise;
– “The Science of Reading the land” ; “The Zones of Your Homestead”: Theory;
– “Mapping”: Practice;
– “Homestead Systems and Elements”; ” Input – Output Analysis”; “Relative Location”: Learning Games;
– “Governing systems”; “Sociocracy, Synergetic and Integral Governing Systems”: Discussion;
– “Detailed 3D Mapping and Plant Index: Tools and Methods”: Open Air Demonstration;
– “Detailed 3D Mapping and Plant Index: Tools and Methods”: Open Air Practice;
– “Detailed Maps”: Presentation, Group Discussion, Micro Facilitations;
– “Prioritising in Regenerative Methodology”; “The Scale of Relative Prioritising”: Group Learning Game;
– “Water Retention Landscape Tools and Implementations”: Project Design Game in Small Groups;
– “Water Retention Landscape Tools and Implementations”: Group Project Design Presentations; “The Perfect Slope”: Game;
– “Contour Lines Creation”: Practical Terrain Exercise;
– “Integral Approach tools in Permaculture Design”: Small Groups Work and Presentations;
– “Landscaping. Land Formations – Structure and Function”: Group Discussion and Exercises;
– “Landscaping Land Formations – Structure and Function. Polyculture principles”: Terrain Group Exercise; “Read the history of this Place”: Terrain Group discussion;
– “My Conscious Homestead”: Eco Pedagogy Exercise;
– “The Teachings of my School”: Theatre learning game;
– “The Permaculture Designer & Integral Wellbeing Consultant”: Principle-based performance, Group Discussion;
– “My Funeral”: Visualisation Exercise; “Testimonial for personal and common mission”: Group Design Creation;
– Good Practices, Part 1: “Interactive Community Centre”: Digital Permaculture Design Case Study;
– Good Practices, Part 2: “Agroforestry & Grassland Regenerative Management”: On Site Group Guided Visit;
– “Compost health: Biodynamics, Effective microorganisms, Microminerals”: Demonstration; “Assembling soil elements”: Demonstration;
– “The Fifth Element”: Open air meditation; “Earth, Soil, Dirt and Compost”: Demonstration, Discussion
– “Eco construction methods and techniques. The Buildings of Vegetarium Community”: On Land Demonstration;
– “Principles and Techniques for Sharing and Evaluating Design Works”: Micro Facilitations in small groups;
– “Finance & economics; My sustainable Carrier and Business”: Discussion, Small Group Visualisation;
– “What about This?” Evaluation and feedback game; Anonymous survey;
– FINAL EXAMEN;
– 6 SESSIONS of Group work on Final Project Presentations;
– Trainer’s Consultations;
– 4 sessions of FINAL GROUP PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Integral Permaculture Design Course PART 2 includes guided practical training sessions mandatory for all participants
They are including community contribution implemented trough specific tasks:
Cooking: providing all participants with meals, warm and cold drinks, and healthy snacks during breaks;
Maintenance: cleaning premises and facilities; drinking and shower Water Supply, Firewood;
Entertainment, Communication and Support: initiation of Energisers, Music and Art Therapy breaks; Relaxing and Cultural programme; Communication support, translation, support with understanding and performing;
Dissemination: forming photo and video diary, content creation, article writing and social media dissemination of the course progress.
Distribution and re-distribution of the community benefit task occurs on a daily basis, during the organisational part of the Morning and Evening meetings. A Task Management Table is created.
The successful completion of the 108-hour Permaculture Design and Integral Wellbeing Interactive Course will be validated with the corresponding training course successful achievement certificate, issued on behalf of the Balkan Permaculture Organisation and the Integra Bulgaria Foundation.
During the selection process, all candidates get complete clarity about the nature, venue and rules of the training course.
To allow them to take informed decision on their participation, they receive instructions on the daily routine, dietary regime, and rules of Vegetarium Community Home as well an access to a video visit to the place, and the details on accommodation, meals, and the format of the classes.
The last step to access the course is a video meeting with our team, so all candidates can ask any additional questions.
The criteria we apply in the selection of candidates is based on Effective Motivation: “I will apply what I have learned”. We select people who see the result as their goal. Our approach is individualised to each potential candidate. Still, the most important admission criteria is the degree of motivation to take part and to successfully complete the training.
Other important considerations are readiness to apply the practical know-how to improve participant’s quality of life, the level of awareness of the training importance, and readiness to abide by the rules of conduct.
Our pedagogical methodology enables the participants to gain skills and competences that are valuable for their personal, educational, social, civic and cultural development
The proposed interactive learning through informal exchange between individuals of different backgrounds is a valuable opportunity for the project participants. Our interactive teaching methods and techniques facilitate content understanding. The funny and diverse teaching approaches and a harmonious learning environment are suitable for all motivated participants.
The content and format of the course are universally useful for everyone.
Its practical applicability in crisis situations makes it particularly precious to help people in need and to master a universal toolkit for positive development and overcoming the worldwide rising challenges.
Background and motivation of the project initiator and Chairman of the Beneficiary Trinoga Association:
My name is Filip Kirilov and being the driver of this project, first let me share with you my personal motivation to initiate it, based on personal experience and lifetime objectives. I was born in 1982 and grew up in the centre of the capital city, dreaming of an escape and life in nature. In the 90’s, straight after the fall of the Soviet regime in Bulgaria, the country went through years of complete social disorder. I found myself among the wrong party, drugs, arms and violence, and became a witness of the very formation of what nowadays is the mafia network, degrading Bulgarian society. Growing in a family following the teachings of the spiritual teacher Peter Deunov, I somehow succeeded to pass through my childhood and youth without irreversible accidents. At the age of 18, I went to work and study biology at the University of Toulouse, South France and then at the Sport University in Reunion island, struggling with my addictions to alcohol, marihuana and gambling. I didn’t finish the academic studies, but in 2003 I joined as a free volunteer a sustainable eco community in the mountains of Reunion island, led by an Irishman, called Ian Winkless. There I could finally live in nature. Among the other volunteers in the community were people addicted to alcohol, ex-prisoners, epileptics and other special people, but Ian helped us, engaging us in hard work on land-regenerative activities and by entrusting to our care his 8 children at different ages. I embraced the idea and found meaning in this community life dedicated to carbon sequestration, permaculture regeneration and social empathy. Two years later, in 2005, I came back to Bulgaria and I founded the Trinoga association in 2006, to locally reproduce the model of Ian Winkless. We were the first post-Soviet eco community in Bulgaria (during the Soviet times such organisations were forbidden). In 2007, MD Dimitar Pashkulev joined the project. He brought a new flow of inspiration, being a big name in Bulgarian medicine, author of hundreds of publications on natural medicine, health, psychology, pedagogy, poetry and lots of practical knowhow. Together with him and other scientists, we started forming a holistic pedagogical methodology based on correct biorhythm, complete nutrition, adequate exercises for body, mind and spirit, regular meetings for psychological and emotional support, pedagogy methods for inheriting the knowledge (from old locals who are the still alive) and transmitting the knowledge to the younger generations of volunteers, visitors, students. Together with my team, between 2003 and 2023 I hosted more than 4,000 volunteers and visitors, including disadvantaged young people with fewer opportunities. I was happy to transfer the knowledge and support obtained from my mentors (both Ian Winkless in la Reunion and MD Pashkulev here in Bulgaria), who had helped me overcome the disadvantages I used to live with. My long-term ambition is to structure our support and establish a sustainable community centre for interactive education.
Background and motivation of the Vegetarium Community Home team:
Vegetarium team is motivated to implement this training course because its content fully corresponds to and create synergies with the very purpose and long-term objective of our community and non-governmental organisation. Aimed at self-realisation and positive development, through active work volunteers, training people, raising awareness among local communities and at the same time maintaining a wide network of international contacts.
So far, Vegetarium team involves the permanently living in the neighbourhood, and 6-7 young students from previous trainings, who live here part-time. Our community has the ambition to grow up to 5 to 7 families on our homeland in the Balkan Mountains (on the territory of Zhelen village, Svoge Municipality). We hope to attract young families to join us, providing them favourable conditions for integral development.
We plan to establish a permanent training and education centre working with up to 40 students at a time. We would like to develop our education services, including people with social disadvantages.
Since we started working in this area 18 years ago, we have created a wide network of connections from all over Europe and the world. We have hosted an average of 200 people per year (volunteers, visitors and students), and all visits (stays) had a training and education element. We have actively worked with school children and youngsters, establishing fruitful connections with the school managements and organising summer schools.
In the course of these years, we have acquired 100,000 square metres of land. We planted more than 5,000 trees, drilled two water wells, and developed a sleeping room for 15 people, a small community kitchen, a small practice hall and an important library. You can see some of this on our photo gallery. We are now reconstructing 3 family houses and building a bigger community kitchen with a dining room for 30 people. To achieve our aim, we still need to finalise the construction of the big common kitchen, to construct a studying and practice hall for 40 people, which we call “the School”, a sleeping room for 18 more people (which can be three-seasonal: like caravans).
Our work covers a wide range of topics in three interrelated strands, including:
Environmental protection practices and education, including: nature regeneration, sustainable farming and organic food production, sustainable forestry, environmentally friendly construction, waste prevention and reuse, climate change mitigation and adaptation, nature-based solutions, disaster resilience and crisis management;
Healthy lifestyle and wellbeing, including: physical practices and healthy and affordable nutrition, herbs growing and use, supply and storage of affordable food products including wild foraging, preparing healthy food and natural cosmetics; providing to target groups an example for healthy and affordable nutrition with tasty cooked food. Transmit knowledge on its access, supply, storage, cooking and use, including wild foraging;
Personal development and success, including internal communication and decision making, competent provision of services, mutual aid, start-up and management of eco businesses, external communication with local authorities and institutions, social leverage system for empowering and wider social impact.
