Developing Capacity for a World That Works for Life
Developing Capacity for a World That Works for Life
A concise and engaging paragraph explaining what the course is about.
A 7-week Online Course with Samantha Sweetwater • Spring 2027
Evolving the shape of self and civilization. Exploring the great questions of our time.
How shall we conceive of ourselves relative to the Earth? How shall we shape our attention, care, restraint, and generative action? Who and what are we, and what do we need to know about ourselves and the rest of Life to move through civilization transition with wisdom, resilience, and hope?
This is an inquiry into what it means to be human in the age of metacrisis, when the operating systems that shaped modern civilization are breaking down, and a new story is struggling to emerge.
Over seven weeks, we'll explore the evolution of the shape of self and world this time of techno-cultural transition through seven essential questions:
How is this time different?
Who and what are we humans relative to the biosphere?
What is alignment?
Why do bodies matter?
What is the relationship between sovereignty and interdependence?
What stories and seeds can carry us through?
How will I live in community as kin?
Each 90-minute session combines teaching, embodied practice, group inquiry, and integration exercises. You'll engage frameworks from True Human: Reimagining Ourselves at the End of Our World including the Structures of Separation, the 10 Rememberings, the 10 Lenses of Wholeness, the Invitations to Life Culture, and the path to Planetary Relational Maturity.
This course is for those who:
Sense we're living through a threshold moment for our species
Want to understand the metacrisis at a systems level
Are ready to do the inner work that systemic transformation requires
Know that personal and collective evolution are inseparable
Seek practical frameworks for navigating complexity with wisdom
Are interested in living into the answers of the great questions of our time
Key Benefits
Join author, Gaian futurist, and wisdom facilitator Samantha Sweetwater to explore and inhabit the worldviews we need to become True Humans today.
Skills Gained
Holistic problem-solving – tackle complex sustainability challenges with an integrated approach.
Inclusive leadership – champion equity, diversity, and social justice in your work and community.
Sustainable finance & economics – align your career, life, and finances with regenerative principles.
Project design & ecosystem restoration – create and implement sustainability projects that regenerate communities and natural systems.
Cross-cultural communication – collaborate effectively across diverse communities and global networks.
Strategic sustainability planning – manage projects with clear goals, impact assessments, and resilience strategies.
Measuring impact – use sustainability indicators to assess progress and guide meaningful change.
Join author, Gaian futurist, and wisdom facilitator Samantha Sweetwater to explore and inhabit the worldviews we need to become True Humans today.
Gaia’s 4D Framework: Unique and impactful approach to Sustainability & Regeneration.
Social, Ecological, Economic, and Worldview dimensions combine to offer a holistic approach to sustainability. Gaia’s 4D Framework connects people, nature, local economies, and personal growth to create balanced and resilient comunities and projects.
The programme is divided into four interconnected dimensions: Social, Ecological, Economic, and Worldview.
Each dimension spans eight weeks and can be taken individually as Focus Course or as part of the full course.
Social
Enhance your leadership and collaboration skills with practical tools to empower communities, advance social justice, create inclusive solutions, and implement effective governance strategies.
Starts: October 12, 2026
Ecological
Master regenerative design and ecological practices to restore nature, applying principles of permaculture, ecosystem resilience, and innovative environmental solutions.
Starts: 11 January 2027
Economic
Develop regenerative economic models by integrating local economies, ethical finance, conscious consumption, and systems that foster prosperity without depleting natural resources.
Starts: May 24th, 2026
Worldview
Expand your perspective by embracing holistic values, ecological ethics, and transformative spirituality while balancing innovation with ancestral wisdom.
Starts: 22 March 2027
Course details
Course format:
Online, flexible modules
Price:
1500 GBP (save 260 GBP by purchasing the full GEDS)
Duration:
14 months (with breaks in between)
Next Dimension:
Starts: Social - 12 Oct 2026
Workload:
Approximately 80 hours per Dimension - 400h total
Structure:
Four Dimensions plus the integration/practicum phase, called the Design Studio.
The Design Studio is the fifth unit, where you collaborate on real cases to apply your skills and earn a certificate in Sustainability & RegenerDesign
Facilitation:
Led by experts in each Dimension
Certificate:
Recognised certificate upon completion of the full course
Is the GEDS Full Course for You?
Anyone who lead or work with groups/communities.
Educators and change facilitators inspiring sustainable practices.
Entrepreneurs and business innovators integrating sustainability into their projects.
Policy makers designing systems for resilience.
Consultants and personal development coaches
Individuals passionate about driving meaningful change.
People who wish to align their actions with a new regenerative lifestyle.
Social or environmental activists
Students and researchers in social and environmental fields
Guided by experts in social transformation.
The GEDS Full Course is guided by dedicated professionals with real-world experience across all dimensions of sustainability.
Meet some of our facilitators:
Aline Van Moerbeke
Flemish-born and based in Spain since 2000, Aline discovered permaculture during a Gaia EDE course on Mallorca, where she first explored whole systems design and bioconstruction. Soon after, she co-founded PermaMed (Permacultura Mediterránea), where she continues to serve as a board member. Her early focus centered on education, community collaboration, facilitation, new economies, and inner landscape design. More recently, she co-founded La Casa Integral, a cooperative of permaculture designers and facilitators in Catalunya.
Emma Woods
Dedicated to democratizing economic thinking and empowering others to have their say on the economics that shapes their lives. Tired of peddling economic growth and conforming to a neoliberal neuronormative career path, Emma left a career as a successful senior economist in the UK public sector to set up Flourish Economics which offers alternative economics education, imaginative workshops and radical thought leadership.
Gracelynn Chung-Yan Lau
Gracelynn Chung-Yan Lau, PhD, is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) specialized in expressive arts therapy. She holds a doctoral degree in Cultural Studies at Queen’s University, where her research focuses on integrating creative writing, critical autoethnography and expressive arts therapy as a “critical/therapeutic inquiry” method in community-based inquiry and in education.
Root Cuthbertson
Growing up between Montreal, New Hampshire, and Boston, Root learned to love dancing, music, poetry, public libraries, matching needs with resources, monofloral honeys, generously inclusive humor, and stories about healing and hope.
Learn from Global Sustainability Experts
The GEDS Full Course is guided by dedicated professionals with real-world experience across all dimensions of sustainability.
Meet some of our facilitators:
Aline Van Moerbeke
Flemish-born and based in Spain since 2000, Aline discovered permaculture during a Gaia EDE course on Mallorca, where she first explored whole systems design and bioconstruction. Soon after, she co-founded PermaMed (Permacultura Mediterránea), where she continues to serve as a board member. Her early focus centered on education, community collaboration, facilitation, new economies, and inner landscape design. More recently, she co-founded La Casa Integral, a cooperative of permaculture designers and facilitators in Catalunya.
Emma Woods
Dedicated to democratizing economic thinking and empowering others to have their say on the economics that shapes their lives. Tired of peddling economic growth and conforming to a neoliberal neuronormative career path, Emma left a career as a successful senior economist in the UK public sector to set up Flourish Economics which offers alternative economics education, imaginative workshops and radical thought leadership.
Root Cuthbertson
Growing up between Montreal, New Hampshire, and Boston, Root learned to love dancing, music, poetry, public libraries, matching needs with resources, monofloral honeys, generously inclusive humor, and stories about healing and hope.
Gracelynn Chung-Yan Lau
Gracelynn Chung-Yan Lau, PhD, is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) specialized in expressive arts therapy. She holds a doctoral degree in Cultural Studies at Queen’s University, where her research focuses on integrating creative writing, critical autoethnography and expressive arts therapy as a “critical/therapeutic inquiry” method in community-based inquiry and in education.
What Our Learners Say.
I realize I am more capable than I had assumed. I am grateful for the learning format to facilitate speedy learning. Our project planning now includes more depth and detailing thanks to this course."
– K. U. S.
The course content was very comprehensive, detailed and practical. I appreciated how the facilitators brought a focus on real-world applications from the very beginning. They both modelled the principles of harmonious and supportive group-working that we were learning."
– N. B.
Freedom and flexibility. Meaningful content. Great facilitation. Inspirational and diverse group of other students.
Loved the mix of self study and live sessions."
– E. C.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.
No previous experience is required. All you need is a passion for community building and collaboration.
The course is designed to fit busy schedules with around 10 hours per week of flexible study. Though highly encouraged, Live Sessions are not mandatory and are recorded to be watched later.
Yes! The course provides hands-on tools you can apply immediately in your community.
A comprehensive programme covering four dimensions of sustainability: social, ecological, economic, and worldview.
No prior experience is required. This course is designed for both beginners and advanced learners. Whether you’re new to sustainability or looking to deepen your expertise, the course provides accessible and actionable content for everyone.
Entirely online with live sessions, group discussions, and self-paced assignments. You’ll have access to experienced facilitators, a supportive learning community, and rich resource materials.
Yes, each dimension can be taken as a standalone course, so if you are interested in specific dimensions, you can take them separately. Enrolling in the full course provides a holistic understanding of sustainability and is more cost-effective.
The Design Studio is the integration piece of the GEDS Full programme that you can join after complete the 4 Dimensions.
Participants have life-long access to the course material. Though the course has a defined length, participants can go back to the material any time after the course completion.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.
A comprehensive programme covering four dimensions of sustainability: social, ecological, economic, and worldview.
No prior experience is required. This course is designed for both beginners and advanced learners. Whether you’re new to sustainability or looking to deepen your expertise, the course provides accessible and actionable content for everyone.
Entirely online with live sessions, group discussions, and self-paced assignments. You’ll have access to experienced facilitators, a supportive learning community, and rich resource materials.
Yes, each dimension can be taken as a standalone course, so if you are interested in specific dimensions, you can take them separately. Enrolling in the full course provides a holistic understanding of sustainability and is more cost-effective.
The Design Studio is the integration piece of the GEDS Full programme that you can join after completing the 4 Dimensions.
More about the Design StudioParticipants have life-long access to the course material. Though the course has a defined length, participants can go back to the material any time after the course completion.
A comprehensive programme covering four dimensions of sustainability: social, ecological, economic, and worldview.
No prior experience is required. This course is designed for both beginners and advanced learners. Whether you’re new to sustainability or looking to deepen your expertise, the course provides accessible and actionable content for everyone.
Entirely online with live sessions, group discussions, and self-paced assignments. You’ll have access to experienced facilitators, a supportive learning community, and rich resource materials.
Yes, each dimension can be taken as a standalone course, so if you are interested in specific dimensions, you can take them separately. Enrolling in the full course provides a holistic understanding of sustainability and is more cost-effective.
The Design Studio is the integration piece of the GEDS Full programme that you can join after complete the 4 Dimensions.
Participants have life-long access to the course material. Though the course has a defined length, participants can go back to the material any time after the course completion.
Take your next step toward a Sustainable Future.
Be part of a global community of sustainability leaders. Secure your place today and start your transformative journey!
Speak with us on Whatsapp!