Permaculture Education in Croatia (since 2023)

Mastering permaculture knowledge and practice can begin with a lecture or a short introductory course, or by studying literature, films, and online content. Traditionally, and in a structured manner, permaculture education begins by attending a course sometimes called the 72-hours Permaculture Design Certificate course (PDC for short). These courses can be led by permaculture diploma holders from Croatia and abroad and are organized by them either in cooperation or independently.

People who successfully complete the course receive an internationally recognized certificate that is valid worldwide and are considered beginners in the practice of permaculture and the discipline of permaculture design. However, the goal of the course is not the certificate itself, but the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the development of practical skills in permaculture design, as well as connection with like-minded individuals.

Then, through hands-on project work with the support and mentorship of a diploma holder, it is possible to earn a Diploma in Permaculture Design. Those who choose this path must have at least two years of experience working on permaculture projects under agreed-upon mentorship. The diploma is awarded after the presentation of a diploma portfolio at a permaculture convergence – a gathering of permaculture practitioners (both certified and diploma holders), where the person applying for the diploma presents their work.

According to the rules published alongside the announcement of each convergence, a person applying for a diploma must submit their diploma work for evaluation to their mentor and one other certified permaculture designer, who will attend the convergence as an independent evaluator. This allows both to prepare their assessments before the convergence. Evaluators are not chosen by the candidates themselves but are assigned by the diploma holders involved in organizing the convergence.

After the presentation of the diploma work and a discussion about the designed and implemented projects in the candidate’s portfolio, permaculture practitioners gathered at the convergence decide on awarding the diploma, based on the proposal of the mentor and evaluator.

By awarding the diploma in permaculture design, the permaculture community gathered at the convergence acknowledges that the person is qualified to lead 72-hour courses, work professionally in permaculture design, participate in permaculture projects, and act as a mentor to other practitioners.

In evaluating diploma work and awarding the diploma at the convergence, we follow these criteria:

1. Demonstration of permaculture design skill: The person clearly demonstrates understanding and application of the design process based on permaculture ethics, tools, and principles, showing that this precedes the implementation of permaculture.
2. Application of permaculture in work and projects: In their professional or volunteer activities, the person changes behavior, methods, and techniques toward consistent and increasing application of permaculture ethics.
3. Application of permaculture in personal life: The person changes behavior in their personal life and household in alignment with increasingly living according to permaculture ethics.
4. Use of evaluation, including cost-benefit considerations: The person clearly considers permaculture ethics when evaluating the impact of their activities on all elements of the environment, documenting this and calculating specific material, energy, time, and financial indicators.
5. At least one of the following: 
   - Dissemination: The person shares their permaculture knowledge, experiences, and insights with others in a way that also considers their own needs and interests. 
   - Community development: The person builds supportive relationships with others in ways that transcend narrow personal, familial, national, religious, or other specific interests. 
   - Reciprocity in relationships: The person is mindful of the balance of giving and receiving within the permaculture community they are part of.

There are currently fifteen permaculture diploma holders in Croatia, although not all are actively engaged. Their mentors, and the place and year of the convergence where their diploma was awarded, are listed in parentheses:

• Bruno Motik (Tony Andersen, Vukomerić, 2010)
• Gordana Dragičević (Ivan Gregov, Zagreb, 2013)
• Igor Drandić (Janez Božič, Bale, 2011)
• Ivan Gregov (Tony Andersen, Vukomerić, 2010)
• Ivan Juratek (Karmela and Miroslav Kiš, Volavje, 2016)
• Karmela Kiš (Tony Andersen, Vukomerić, 2010)
• Marin Kanajet (Gordana Dragičević, Križevci, 2023)
• Mario Miličević (Bruno Motik, Latinovac, 2017)
• Matko Šišak (Tony Andersen, Vukomerić, 2010)
• Mladen Mladenović (Sunčana Pešak, Križevci, 2023)
• Nikola Bošnjak (Gordana Dragičević, Križevci, 2023)
• Sunčana Pešak (Tony Andersen, Vukomerić, 2010)
• Vesna Rožić (Sunčana Pešak, Latinovac, 2017)
• Zoran Bračić (Tony Andersen, Vukomerić, 2010)
• Zoran Vukšić (Gordana Dragičević, Križevci, 2023)

More details about obtaining a diploma in permaculture design according to the conditions and criteria applied since 3rd of March 2023.

According to Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Adult Education Act (NN 144/21), learning about permaculture is considered informal and non-formal learning: “… (6) informal learning is the unorganized acquisition of competencies from everyday experiences and other influences and sources from the environment for personal, social, and professional needs … (14) non-formal learning is an organized learning activity intended for acquiring and improving competencies for personal, social, and professional needs, and is not certified by a public document.”

In other words, the certificate from a Permaculture Design Course and the diploma in permaculture design in Croatia are not public documents like school or university diplomas.

Photos…

• 2nd national permaculture convergence, Zagreb, June 1–2, 2013
• 3rd national permaculture convergence, Latinovac, August 10–12, 2017
• 4th national permaculture convergence, Križevci, June 3–4, 2023 (3-minute video)

How do others do it? Permaculture education in…

• Australia: Permaculture Australia
• Czech Republic: Akademie Permakultury
• Denmark: Permakultur Danmark
• France: Université Populaire de Permaculture
• Italy: Accademia Italiana di Permacultura
• Germany: Permakultur Institut e.V. and Permakultur Akademie
• USA: Oregon State University Permaculture Design
• UK: Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design
• International education: Gaia University
• International project: European Permaculture Teachers Partnership 2012–2014

Information compiled and article written by: Nenad Maljković