Intentional Community Basics

On-Demand Online Course | Rolling Admission

Curious about intentional communities but not sure where to begin? Learn how they work, explore your options, and find out if community living is right for you.

Course fee: sliding scale, starting at $49 USD

Who this course is for:

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

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Starting a Community course registration

Intentional Community Basics

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Course description

If you’ve been drawn to the idea of intentional community but don’t know where to start, this course is for you. In this course, expert duo Cynthia Tina and Yana Ludwig walk you through the essentials — what intentional communities are, why they matter, and whether one might be the right fit for you.

You’ll learn about the various types of intentional communities, bust common myths, and get a virtual tour of several communities around the world. You’ll also get an overview of the resources available through the Foundation for Intentional Community, including the communities directory.

Yana and Cynthia will help you decide whether to join an existing community or start a new one. You’ll leave with practical, actionable guidance on both paths.

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What this course includes

  • 10 modules with instructional videos, learning materials, and exercises
  • 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:

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

Your instructors

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Yana Ludwig

Community-founder and author, Yana Ludwig has dedicated her life to fostering cooperative cultures. She is the author of Building Belonging: Your Guide to Starting a Residential Intentional Community, released in May 2023; Together Resilient: Building Community in the Age of Climate Disruption; and co-author of The Cooperative Culture Handbook.

Yana lived in community for 26 years and was a founder four times – all of her work is grounded in deep community experience. She served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Intentional Community for over a decade and is the former Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable and Cooperative Culture at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Commonomics USA and North Coast Food Web.

She is a dynamic, compassionate and thoughtful speaker and teacher, committed to creating a more just and resilient world.

Learn more about Yana here.

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.

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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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