WEnCoop | Sector: Permaculture, agriculture
1. Problem Description
Modern business and management education often fails to address escalating environmental and social challenges. As sustainability becomes increasingly critical, Higher Education Institutions still rely on narrow or conventional approaches that do not prepare students to navigate complex ethical, ecological, and social issues. Women, who are on the front line of the climate emergency, face additional barriers, particularly in sectors such as agro-food systems and entrepreneurship, where patriarchal structures and resource constraints limit their opportunities. There is strong global pressure for more ethical management practices and for businesses to adapt to greener, more responsible models.
2. Solution
PermaLABS provides an innovative response by integrating permaculture ethics and design principles into business and management education. The project offers:
• A capacity-building program with modules such as:
o What is Permaculture?
o Introduction to Sustainable Management
o From Permaculture to Business
o Permaculture as Pedagogy
o Living Labs methodology
o Measuring teaching impact
• A conceptual framework and research base that embed ecological, ethical, and regenerative principles into management studies.
• Training for HEI teaching staff to adopt transversal and green competencies.
• Summer Schools, pilot testing, and educational toolboxes that equip students with the knowledge to create sustainable, resilient, and innovative businesses.
• Promotion of new agro-food models led by women (agroecology, organic farming, diversification, agritourism).
The solution supports academic staff, students, permaculture experts, and professionals aiming to transition to ethical business pathways.
3. Results
• 15 HEI teaching staff trained through the international seminar.
• 20+ students participated in Summer Schools.
• 30+ educational resources and 2 toolboxes developed.
• Increased awareness and willingness of academic staff to integrate permaculture concepts.
• Emerging digital social spaces encouraging peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.
• Evidence-based teaching resources supporting long-term curriculum transformation.
