Help us build up a scholarship fund so that we can support permaculture practitioners from across the world to attend the international permaculture conference and convergence this September in London and Essex (IPCUK).

Everyone that pledges between £10 and £250 will be entered into a prize draw to win an IPCUK Convergence catered camping ticket (travel not included).

We've had over 60 amazing applications for scholarships from permaculture practitioners in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Cameroon, Malawi, Gambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Belize, Ecuador, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Cuba, Argentina, Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India. We want to support as many of them as we can, and we need your help.

Why is this campaign important?

Your support will help bring representatives from across the world, so that:

Their voices will be at the heart of discussions for the next phase of the international permaculture network.

Their needs can be recognised and better supported now and in the future.

They will be able to access information and support, and share it with their communities when they get home.

They can share their experiences, skills and achievements with other participants at IPCUK.

Their participation will ensure this IPC will be truly representative of permaculture around the world. People like...

Christopher Nesbitt and Celini Logan manage the Maya Mountain Research Farm in Belize. Founded in 1988, the farm is one of the oldest permaculture projects in Central America; demonstrating a 26 year transition from damaged cattle and citrus land to a model permaculture farm, turning degraded monoculture into a polyculture of over 500 species.

“Our main area of interest is the intersection between agriculture and ecology, with specific focus on agroforestry as a tool for [...] agricultural models that produce food, timber, fiber, medicinal and marketable crops, but also replicate ecosystem services like carbon sequestration [...] soil moisture retention and habitat creation. Additionally we work in areas of energy poverty, having installed photovoltaic lighting systems in schools in nine indigenous communities and one refugee community, as well as two village level photovoltaic water pumping systems.”

Recognising the importance of “teaching permaculture in a context that values indigenous identity” Chris and Celini have scaled up both their practical and campaigning activities since attending IPC Cuba. They feel they have learned how to better promote permaculture design rather than just specific tools and have engaged dozens of farmers in this learning. They have also introduced a year-long Permaculture Design Course for indigenous youth from communities not served by school buses, used permaculture in conversations about climate change mitigation with other NGOs and increased regional ties with visitors from Mexico, Guatemala and Trinidad.

“IPC in Cuba was [...] amazing for us, as geographically isolated as we are, and has resulted in a much increased ability to share permaculture in communities that are applying what they learn, now. These are the front lines in climate change and these are the communities that will be most adversely affected.”

Julious Piti and the Chikukwa Ecological Land Trust

The achievements of permaculture teacher, designer and conflict facilitator, Julious Piti, are almost too incredible to sum up in a few short sentences. A founding member of the Chikukwa Ecological Land Trust (CELUCT) in 1991; over 80% of the population of Chikukwa villages now practice permaculture, meeting their own needs with a surplus to share from the abundant mountainsides, formerly afflicted by deforestation and erosion.

In 2009 he facilitated a permaculture design project for a village of (just!) 5,000 on the shores of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Now, as Director of PORET (Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training), Julious aims to replicate the strategies of CELUCT in the low rainfall area of Chaseyama, Zimbabwe.

Julious believes permaculture empowers communities towards self-help and practical solutions. In Zimbabwe, he hopes his teaching will help to “remove dependency syndrome, where people wait just to get from Governments and donors but to work for future community sustainability.”

These amazing practitioners from across the world have a lot to teach us about how to work with less resources, how to engage communities and how to create beautiful productive permaculture systems. Support them with a pledge today.

The Permaculture Association

We are the national charity that helps people learn about and use permaculture. We've been going for over 30 years and have been supporting permaculture around the world since we started. We are delighted to be hosting this year's International Permaculture Convergence, and are working really hard to make it as diverse and inclusive as we can. We've got lots of great practitioners and projects in the UK, and are looking forward to sharing our work and learning from people all around the world.

About the International Permaculture Conference and Convergence (IPCUK)

The IPC is hosted every two years and is the main opportunity for practitioners, project leaders, teachers and activists to get together, share knowledge and plan for the future. We know 2015 is an important year - for climate change, for the Sustainable Development Goals, for the International Year of Soils - and we are working to make sure that the IPC helps in the important work of creating a happier and healthier world. The Conference theme is 'Designing the World We Want', and will bring together the world's most exceptional permaculture projects - which is why it is so important to make sure we bring practitioners from the global south - where some of the most impressive permaculture initiatives are taking place. The Convergence is a five day event where we can learn from each other, share plans and develop strategies to take permaculture forwards in the coming years - as well as a lot of practical workshops, project presentations, networking and fun.

Make a pledge - great rewards!

Have a look at the rewards on offer - something for everyone! (please note, none of the rewards include transport costs). If you have rewards to offer to help with the campaign, please follow this link.

We have our first Crowdfunder Conference Sponsor!

London Permaculture Network is our first Crowdfunder Conference Sponsor, and we're delighted to have them on board! With London as the host city for IPCUK, its wonderful to have so much support from London Permaculture Network - both practical and financial. They run a monthly social, the annual permaculture festival at Cecil Sharp House, other networking events, courses and a range of projects. If you're interested in one of our sponsorship packages, you can find out more here.

Crowdfunder Convergence Sponsors

The St. Athans Hotel is a simple, clean, family-run budget hotel in Bloomsbury, the leafy heart of London. We offer great value for money and friendly service, providing a comfortable home from home. The St. Athans Hotel is also hoping to be London's first Permaculture designed hotel - watch this space.

Natural Flow is a design consultancy underpinned by the ethics and principles of permaculture. We offer introduction and forest garden weekend courses. The business is undergoing a major reorganisation so check back to find out how we can design holistic outcomes whether you are a business, community or an individual.

Leeds Permaculture Network meets once a month for a lively and informative social at Friends Meeting House, runs courses, including an annual Permaculture Design Course, supports a range of projects and gets involved in other initiatives across Leeds. An open network, if you live in or near Leeds feel free to get in touch, pop down to one of our socials and get involved.

enCircle are an information technology business designed around permaculture ethics and principles. We integrate systems thinking and permaculture design tools into our day to day operations, making IT that little bit more interesting.

Living Naturally have harnessed the specific cleansing and softening properties of Soapnuts to develop a completely unique Vegan range of laundry and personal care products completely based on this amazing Organic wild-crafted dried fruit shell . Our Soapnut products have been developed and produced by our family-owned business based in the UK. We have combined a real need and love of what we do, expert botanical knowledge, and Ayurvedic principles to create these products. Our products are made by hand in the UK in small batches from 100% natural and organic, ethically sourced, cruelty free ingredients. Free from SLSs, Parabens, Mineral Oil, artificial additives or fragrances.

Based in Santa Fe, NM, since 2000, San Isidro Permaculture is dedicated to designing, building and maintaining beautiful, productive and regenerative landscapes that reflect the needs and aesthetic of our residential, commercial, NGO, and government clients. Our work is guided by the 12 Principles of Permaculture Design and adheres to the Permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Returning the Surplus.

We are an innovative, creative and dynamic environmental community organisation. Although based near Hyde Park, we work across Leeds.We work with local communities to improve their surroundings, designing and creating attractive, exciting, safe and useful places for people to live, work and play. We use Permaculture to help Improve the wellbeing of people and communities. We have written our own guiding principles and pathways inspired by permaculture and based around the '5 Ways to Wellbeing' Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.Find out more at www.hydeparksource.org

A pilot program sponsoring family farmers in less-industrialized countries. The farmers receive extended permaculture training, and continuing support in building permaculture communities of practice. A mobile phone platform supports farmer-to-farmer extension as local communities develop practical expertise in improving yields and livelihoods using ecologically regenerative approaches. permEzone is a project of the non-profit Empowerment Works based in California.

An eco B&B in 6 acres of Cornish countryside with solar, biomass and our own water supply where we run courses in everything from coppice crafts to wool dyeing. The owners Pete & Val Grainger have a wealth of ecological, farming and community development experience and also undertake consultancy work. www.valgrainger.co.uk and www.berrylanecottage.co.uk

LAND Denmark is a permaculture network of "Learning, Activity, Network, Demonstration" centres spread across Denmark. These are places that can show you what permaculture is all about through guided tours, workshops, courses and hands-on work. LAND is a sign of quality, vouched for by the Danish Permaculture Association. Learn more: www.permakultur-danmark/land-2 and find a map of the LAND centres.

Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning is a 54 acre site with People Care Land Care and Fair Shares at its heart. We make the most of our location on the edge of London, edge of a forest and on the edge of rural and urban culture, using all of our space to benefit the thousands of people who visit with a diverse range of farm, environmental, garden and adventure activities focusing on personal development. We are "inspired to inspire". For more information, visit http://www.lambourne-end.org.uk or social media facebook lambourneend and twitter @LambourneEnd.

Do you have a permaculture business or local group that could support this campaign? You can sponsor the convergence (the event after the conference) for a very affordable £125.

Please note, if you wanting to contribute from outside the UK and the payment options here don't work for you, you can make a donation via the Association's website here.

Thank you so much for your support.