It was the official start of the design process for the eco-village Suderbyn cooperative society in cooperation with the Swedish and Danish permaculture Associations invited all those interested to join them on 15-16 November 2008 for an introduction in permaculture and eco-village design with the case study of our eco-village project Suderbyn on Gotland. The course was important for those interested in joining the village but even for others considering similar initiatives elsewhere.

We successfully bringing four of Denmark's and Sweden's leading permaculture experts and practicianers to Gotland for the exciting weekend. The course instructors were Poul Erik Pedersen, diploma-holding Permaculture Designer and Landscape Architect from Copenhagen, and Arne Jansson, Gardening technician/Arborist, both from Skania. The Danes have amoung other things advised on Scandinavia's first permaculture eco-village, den selvforsynende lansby on Fyn. The Skania team has been key behing the Permaculture Forest Garden demonstration in Holma, Sweden's first Food forest demonstration following permaculture principles.

We gathered at Suderbyn's planned Eko-torg” at 9 am on Saturday and wrapped up on sunday at 4 pm. The course was held at Suderbyn, 6 km south of Visby on route 140 towards Klintehamn.

There were 20 seats on the course and all of them were filled. Counting teachers and the community members we were more than 30 persons that had a great chance to meet and discuss during the weekend. The course was filmed and we can give the contacts of the film-maker for those interested.