Intentional Community Basics

On-Demand Online Course | Rolling Admission

Join us for the history of a global movement and gain tips for how to join or start a community in the intentional community basics course.

Course fee: sliding scale, starting at $49 USD

Who this course is for:

  • people dreaming of community
  • people wanting an introduction to intentional community

On this page:

Starting a Community course registration

Intentional Community Basics

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Course description

What is an intentional community? An intentional community is a group of people who live together or share common facilities and who regularly associate with each other on the basis of explicit common values. In this course you’ll learn more about why intentional communities matter as well as the  various types of intentional communities, dispel common myths about intentional communities and get a virtual tour of several communities around the world. You’ll also get an overview of the various resources available to you through the Foundation for Intentional Community, including the intentional community directory.

Your course instructors, Yana and Cynthia, will help you to understand if you’re a good fit for community living as well as help you decide if you should join an existing community or start a new community. You’ll also get an introduction of how to visit and join an intentional community as well as gain some insights on why and how to create an intentional community.

What this course includes

  • 10 modules with instructional videos, learning materials, and exercises
  • lifetime access to private course group in our Forum for asking questions and networking
  • free access to monthly webinars to deepen your learning and connect with others
  • 90 days to complete the online course at your own pace
  • certificate of completion

What you’ll learn

Module topics in the Intentional Community Basics course include:

  • 1st Module: Welcome and Overview
  • 2nd Module: Intro to Intentional Community and FIC Resources
  • 3rd Module: Why Communities Matter and Myth Busting
  • 4th Module: A Global Tour of Communities
  • 5th Module: Types of Intentional Communities
  • 6th Module: A Chat About Communities
  • 7th Module: Who is a Good Fit for Community and How to Join One
  • 8th Module: Why and How to Start an Intentional Community
  • 9th Module: How to Visit and Learn from Intentional Communities
  • 10th Module: Your Next Steps

Your instructors

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Yana Ludwig

Yana has 25 years of cooperative living experience, including four community start-ups. She serves on the Board of the Foundation for Intentional Community, and as a trainer and consultant for progressive projects. 

Yana is co-author of The Cooperative Culture Handbook: A Social Change Manual to Dismantle Toxic Culture and Build Connection and author of Together Resilient: Building Community in the Age of Climate Disruption. 

She is the former Executive Director of both the Center for Sustainable and Cooperative Culture at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, and Commonomics USA. 

Her 2013 TEDx talk, Sustainable is Possible! kicked off an era for her as a public speaker and advocate for communities.

Find out more about Yana on her website: https://www.yanaludwig.net/.

Cynthia Tina

Cynthia helps people discover intentional community living for better housing, health, and happiness. She has traveled to 200+ intentional communities around the world and resides in a Vermont ecovillage in her self-built natural home. Her speaking, businesses, and consultancy have contributed to the growth of numerous community-led housing projects. 

Cynthia is the founder of CommunityFinders, offering programs to help people join and start intentional communities. She’s also the founder of Ecovillage Tours, bringing people on inspirational journeys to regenerative communities worldwide. 

Formerly a Co-Director, Cynthia is a partner and educator with the Foundation for Intentional Community. She’s a trustee on the board of the International Communal Studies Association and a former trustee of the Global Ecovillage Network. She holds a degree in Sustainability from Goddard College, as well as certificates in Permaculture and Ecovillage Design, and Yoga Teacher Training.

Start your intentional community journey by taking this short quiz to discover the type of community that’s a fit for you:  https://communityfinders.com/quiz

Intentional Community Basics course testimonials

“[The Intentional Community Basics course] was very interesting, the instructors were easy to listen to and well spoke, content was excellent, not overwhelming. I liked the notes section, having transcripts available and the length of each session was very manageable. I appreciated getting to see sample of different intentional communities. The resources after each session were great too.”

-Susan Langenboch

“[Intentional Community Basics] dispelled some preconceived notions I held about intentional communities, and helped me realize how naïve I was when I tried to start one. This course helped me know FIC is a resource for me as I take next steps toward finding/living in community.”

-Anonymous

“Very easy to understand and to comprehend material. This is highly recommended as a primer before embarking on your own Intentional Community.”

-Gerard Manikis

“Great overview and much to think about as alternative to the way we live”

-Marilu Keller

The On-Demand Course Experience

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Go at Your Own Pace

Journey through this course, when and where it works for you. You’ll have a full 90 days to work through the learning material. Downloadable audio modules are available for when you’re on the go.

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Build Your Network

You’ll be able to ask questions of your instructor as well as connect and build shared knowledge through a private and dedicated discussion space.

Intentional Community Basics, deepen your learning image

Deepen Your Learning

Each module includes an instructional video, audio file, transcript, complementary learning materials, and exercises designed to support you in your unique learning style.

Free Resources

Registration

Intro to Intentional Communities

Intentional Community Basics

Learn the history, culture, and landmarks of a global movement and get advice for how you too can start or join a community. Register now to get access to this course for a total of 90 days (from registration date), including a private discussion forum to engage with the instructor and other students. Check your email once completing registration for an email from orders@ic.org.
  • $49: for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Disabled, Low income
  • $69: covers FIC’s costs
  • $99+: covers FIC’s costs + supports the intentional community movement

Suggested $69.00

Minimum $49.00

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