Permaculture in Africa: Deepening our Roots

by Alejandra Garcia | Jun 15, 2026

Permaculture in Africa: Deepening our Roots

The Permaculture in Africa (PIA) circle exists to create a space of support and connection for permaculturists coming to the CoLab from Africa. We are working on three connected pieces of work:

The first is reviewing and testing an onboarding guide that was developed last year and has since been updated to reflect the CoLab’s new community discourse space. The guide is designed to support smoother onboarding for CoLab members based in Africa, and is also relevant for members from the Global South more broadly, as well as those with higher accessibility or tech needs. The review process will involve testing the guide with real users and incorporating feedback to improve it.

The second piece builds on a local networks database that PIA developed last year. This database maps permaculture networks across Africa that can offer on-the-ground support to CoLab members, since the CoLab itself does not provide this. The work here is to move from a basic directory to active outreach: identifying key contacts, introducing them to the CoLab, and inviting them to join. We will also promote the database internally so PIA members know it exists and how to use it. The hope is this will strengthen our strategic connections and partnership allies across Africa.

The third piece is providing advanced onboarding and extra support for new members who come in through the outreach process, working alongside the Welcome Circle.

Funded with 1000 GBP through emergent festival

STATUS : CANCELLED

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Team

Siobhan Vida Ashmole

Rogers Muthegheki

Mkhulu Colossa

Josie Redmond

Paul Phillips

Aimee Fenech – volunteering

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Area

Emergent festival, Grow project

Objectives 2026

1. Onboarding Guide Review and Testing

Specific: Review the updated PIA onboarding guide for the new community discourse space, test it with at least 3 to 5 members from Africa or the Global South, and incorporate feedback into a revised version.

Measurable: One revised guide published by end of festival period, with documented feedback from testers.

Achievable: Guide already exists; team has capacity to coordinate testing and revisions within the festival timeline.

Relevant: Directly supports CoLab’s accessibility and inclusion aims, and reduces barriers to participation for members from the Global South.

Time-bound: Testing completed and revised guide published within the GROW Emergent Festival 2026 timeline.

2. Local Network Outreach

Specific: Identify key contacts within the existing local networks database, conduct direct outreach to introduce them to the CoLab, and sign up at least 5 new members from African permaculture networks.

Measurable: Number of outreach contacts made, number of responses received, and number of new CoLab sign-ups tracked.

Achievable: Database already exists; team members have existing relationships with local networks across the continent.

Relevant: Strengthens the CoLab’s African membership base and builds a more robust support structure for members on the ground.

Time-bound: Outreach initiated and first round completed within the festival period.

3. Internal Promotion of the Local Networks Database

Specific: Create and share at least one internal communication to PIA members explaining what the local networks database is, how to use it, and why it matters.

Measurable: Communication published in the CoLab’s community space, with engagement tracked (views, responses, or follow-up questions).

Achievable: Straightforward communication task within team capacity.

Relevant: Ensures the database is actually used and valued by the community it was built for.

Time-bound: Published within the first half of the festival period.

4. Advanced Onboarding and Member Support (ad hoc)

Specific: Provide dedicated onboarding support for new members coming in through the outreach process

Measurable: Number of new members supported tracked; support sessions or check-ins documented.

Achievable: Hours allocated for this within the festival budget; team has experience with onboarding support.

Relevant: Ensures that outreach converts to active, retained membership.

Time-bound: Support provided on an ad hoc rolling basis as new members come in during the festival period.

outcomes 2026

This project was cancelled for lack of capacity.

resources created

contact links

contact@perma.earth

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GROW Emergent Festival

by hansryding | Mar 27, 2026

GROW Emergent Festival

Project Description

Leave room for emergent activities that emergence in line with CoLab VMAs – Emergent Festival a community led event over 6 months per year

Expected Outcomes

Up to 21 mini-projects are funded.

Emergent Festival happens each year.

Open Collective

Emergent festival Project Page from the Next Steps Project can be found here

Funded with 24 000 GBP through GROW project

STATUS : ongoing

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GROW Project Team

Ntsikelelo Colossa, Paul Philipps

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Area

GROW Project, Diversity, Participation and Engagement, Funding Circle

objectives 2026

CoLab members can pitch their ideas and will receive funding through a process of community-led allocation of monies by the most active CoLab members.

Outcomes 2026

Cancelled: Permaculture in Africa: Deepening our Roots – GBP 1000

Permaculture & Policy: The Agroecology-Permaculture Interface – GBP 979.05

Cancelled : Permaculture Business Lab – GBP 1000

Rehoming the Permaculture Map and connecting the movements – GBP 873

Mapping coherence: an audio archive of Permaculture Convergences – GBP 999

Indigenous-Led Permaculture: Pathways into the CoLab – GBP 999

Establish Research, Education and Training Circle –GBP 1000

resources created

contact links

contact@perma.earth

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Translation of Rosemary Morrow’s “Permaculture Teacher Training” into Spanish

by charliewilson | Oct 23, 2025

Translation of Rosemary Morrow's "Permaculture Teacher Training" into Spanish

The expected output of this project is a finished Spanish translation and revision of Rosemary Morrow’s Permaculture Teacher Training (PTT) manual.

A Spanish language version of the manual is what is needed in order to create in-person, online, and hybrid versions of the training in Spanish. Rosemary created the PTT in order to have a multiplier effect in spreading permaculture more widely through the world, which it certainly has done. But it has been limited by only being available in English

Funded with 1000 GBP through emergent festival

STATUS : COMPLETED

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Team

Alfred Decker, Mayi Lekuona

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Area

Diversity, participation and engagement, Emergent festival, Next Steps project

Objectives 2025

Specific: Translate and adapt Rosemary Morrow’s “Permaculture Teacher Training” (PTT) book into Spanish to make permaculture education more accessible to Spanish-speaking communities.

Measurable: Complete the translation of all chapters (approximately 200 pages]) within seven months in order to have it ready for the first PTT in Spanish, scheduled to take place in Cataluña, Spain from October 18 – 25, 2025.

Achievable: Assemble a qualified team with experience in permaculture and translation to ensure accurate and culturally relevant content.

Relevant: Address the growing demand for permaculture resources among Spanish-speaking educators and practitioners.

Time-bound: Finalize the translation and initial proofreading within six months, followed by dissemination through appropriate channels.

outcomes 2025

This project aims to make one of the most important permaculture education resources accessible to the large Spanish-speaking community around the world.

The team has been coordinating a collaborative review process to ensure an accurate and inclusive translation that reflects permaculture values and teaching approaches. Despite some early communication challenges, the project is now progressing well, with a committed team of volunteer reviewers ready to complete the work in the coming weeks.

The final outcome will be a high-quality Spanish version of Permaculture Teacher Training, shared under a Creative Commons license through the CoLab. This will allow educators and networks across Latin America, Spain, and beyond to use and adapt the material for teacher trainings and community education.

resources created

contact links

contact@perma.earth

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Indigenous-Led Permaculture: Collaboration & Knowledge-Sharing

by charliewilson | Oct 23, 2025

Indigenous-Led Permaculture: Collaboration & Knowledge-Sharing

This project aims to document the land stewardship and knowledge-sharing practices of Indigenous communities involved in permaculture. It focuses on preserving cultural traditions, promoting sustainability, and fostering intergenerational learning; while also increasing collaboration, making indigenous-led permaculture groups aware of the work of the CoLab and creating opportunities for further network weaving.

Funded with 1000 GBP through emergent festival

STATUS : COMPLETED

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Team

Ntsikelelo Colossa, Vida Ashmole

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Area

Diversity, participation and engagement, Network weaving, Emergent festival, Next Steps project

Objectives 2025

The aim of this project is to conduct 4-6 case studies through 7-10 interviews with Indigenous elders, youth, and farmers. The findings will be documented in a digital report that includes written case studies. The project will also explore partnerships with other organizations to bridge traditional and modern knowledge and the results will be shared through a presentation of the final report.

Timeline and Approach
Months 1-2: Identify participants and schedule interviews.
Months 3-4: Conduct interviews and gather insights.
Month 5: Compile findings into a report.
Month 6: Share results via report.

Focus Areas of Indigenous-Led Permaculture:
Community Collaboration: Shared decision-making and land stewardship with partnerships to blend traditional and modern knowledge.
Intergenerational Learning: Elders pass on wisdom, while youth engage in hands-on learning.
Storytelling & Oral Traditions: Knowledge is preserved through oral histories and observation.
Long-Term Resilience: Emphasis on sustainability, food sovereignty, and climate resilience for future generations.

Bonus objective: If this team is fully funded and has capacity, we will also curate and share optional video/audio resources for multimedia learning.

Expected Outputs

Creating a document that will bring change to permaculture spaces by promoting intergenerational knowledge, enabling us to share and collaborate using the insights we receive from various interviews
We envision passionate learners around the world engaging with this living document—rich with knowledge that inspires transformation in those who seek to learn, unlearn, and grow.

Intended Outcomes

To produce a document that not only educates, but also honors and preserves the wishes and wisdom of older generations—ensuring that future generations understand how things were done before they arrived
To create a document whose value lies not in comparison, but in its ability to hold space for sharing, learning, and unlearning—a place where diverse humans come together, embracing differences and growing through collective wisdom
This will be a reflection of how people from diverse tribes and cultures create, connect, and learn—with the land as both teacher and student. It’s is a globally integrative document of permaculture knowledge, bridging wisdom from elders to younger generations; and honouring the work of indigenous elders have contributed to the field.

outcomes 2025

This project has been an incredible journey – born from the land, guided by wisdom, and rooted in community. As we grow and connect with more people across the globe, we continue to be amazed by the depth of knowledge shared through this Indigenous-led permaculture movement.

Through this experience, we have realized how many permaculturists around the world need support, and how their stories hold the power to inspire and transform others. This project has truly been amazing. Personally, I am deeply connected to anything that ties me to the land and promotes equality.

Along the way, I have learned and unlearned many things about life, community, and leadership. I have come to understand that the wisdom held by Indigenous peoples , passed down through dreams, through stories, and through word of mouth , continues to shape the future. As a healer, I believe this is the Indigenous way: to bring balance, healing, and vision into how we live and grow together.

This project has also taught me valuable lessons about leadership, collaboration, and communication. Above all, it has reminded me that as people, we are one, united by the land and by the shared responsibility to care for it.

Link to database of Indigenous Led Projects:
https://baserow.app.perma.earth/public/grid/glyeDaz7BcO5k8dHeFRXfpYe1KCTiopqIQFWFiwcRV8

Link to Form for adding new projects
Please add yourself if you are from or know of an indigenous led projects we should know about!
https://baserow.app.perma.earth/form/25XEYs11Gnuiv8gmK_WwkZ4GGlh_EpvzULQZq4tmamo\

Link to NextCloud Folder with Report and Artifacts:

https://cloud.perma.earth/index.php/s/x7qcSXbfzEDC9rp

resources created

contact links

Connect with Ntsikelelo Colossa:

– Internally on CoLab Slack: @mkhulu

– Facebook: **Dr Ntsikelelo Colossa** https://www.facebook.com/DrNtsikeleloColossa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

– X / Twitter: **@Ntsikarise** ([X (formerly Twitter)] https://twitter.com/Ntsikarise/status/899659519529299968?utm_source=chatgpt.com

– LinkedIn: **Ntsikelelo Colossa** https://www.linkedin.com/in/ntsikelelo-colossa-40505517/

– Email : ntsikarise@gmail.com

Connect with Siobhan Vida Ashmole:

– Internally on CoLab Slack: @vida

– LinkedIn: **Siobhan Vida Ashmole**

– Email : vida@blissherbals.co.za

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Enabling Permaculture in Africa: Resource Curating and Sharing

by charliewilson | Oct 23, 2025

Enabling Permaculture in Africa: Resource Curating and Sharing

The high level objective is to grow and strengthen the work of the Permculture in Africa (PIA) circle through a project designed to help meet the needs of grassroots PIA members in navigating and getting value from the CoLab. This project aims to create an accessible onboarding pathway/guide as well as curate/collect resources tailored for PIA grassroots projects.

Funded with 1000 GBP through emergent festival

STATUS : COMPLETED

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Team

Josie Redmonds, Ntsikelelo Colossa, Aimee Fenech, Vida Ashmole

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Area

Network weaving, Emergent festival, Next Steps project

Objectives 2025

1. Develop a guide/pathway for permaculturists from Africa to better navigate the CoLab and the resources provided.
◦ What is it -introduction to CoLab, why are you here, where to go next, what is available, permission to engage/culture, add people you meet in CoLab to linkedin, how to be an engaged community member (refer to training) – a short document
◦ By when we will complete it: – Mid August – testing time in community
◦ How will we know that this has been successful / quality output / relevant – feedback from community and PIA circle, feedback from African Permaculturists who would like to join/ have joined.
◦ How will it be useful post grant: it is a resource which is valuable to people coming in post funding and still be useful to help them becoming engaged.

2. Curate, collect, and share resources tailored for PIA grassroots projects, including opportunities, information, capacity building, funding, and co-marketing:
◦ What is it that we are sharing – opportunities, information, capacity building, funding, and co-marketing, identify key areas to start (identified by the community)
◦ How many resources – depends on budget est 1 hour per post – could be multiple resources per post
◦ How will we know that this has been successful / quality output / relevant – think hard about the curation and really highlighting the value
◦ How will it be useful post grant – focus on perennial (how the seasonal can be perennial – eg share funder not funding opp with deadline)
◦ When do we do this – throughout the project time

Expected Outputs

A simple guide for new CoLab members from the African continent that would be used as a supplement to the onboarding process.
A set of resources that are relevant to CoLab members from the African continent, posted in the PIA channel

To nourish the permaculture business community and provide new avenues for connection, mentorship, co-learning and support

outcomes 2025

The *Permaculture in Africa* project, developed by members of the Permaculture in Africa (PIA) Circle and supported by the Emergent Festival, set out to make it easier for grassroots permaculturists- particularly those new to digital tools and global collaboration- to navigate and engage with the CoLab.

The team created a practical guide that serves as both an advanced onboarding tool and a simplified entry path for members who may need extra support. It was designed *by* newer members who had themselves faced onboarding challenges, ensuring it speaks directly to lived experiences. Alongside the guide, the team built a shared resource canvas on the PIA channel featuring free training opportunities, funding and marketing tools, and practical materials to help members strengthen their community projects.

In the process, participants developed stronger digital and collaborative capacities- learning tools like Miro, Nextcloud, and Canva, while deepening their understanding of CoLab’s culture and processes. The work also revealed a major gap in local permaculture networks across Africa, sparking new discussions about supporting and formalising national and regional associations.

The guide, glossary, and scenario PDFs will now be tested with new members and refined through ongoing PIA Circle activities. Future plans include exploring a buddy system and developing locally led mentoring and network incubation projects.

Connect with us in the #permaculture-in-africa channel!

resources created

contact links

Connect with us in the #permaculture-in-africa channel!

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