What Cultures Permanentes does

Cultures Permanentes is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in June 2016 and headquartered in Marseille, with approximately 10 employees operating across Marseille, Provence, southeastern France, Mayotte, and parts of Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Cape Verde). The organization runs three interconnected service lines: a QUALIOPI-certified training catalog (NDA 93131687813, certification n°88612-2) covering the 72-hour Cours de Conception en Permaculture plus specialized modules in agroecology, syntropical agriculture, Keyline Design, permaéconomie, soil bio-indicators, ecoconstruction, water management, and zero-waste practices; a bureau d'études (study office) providing landscape architecture, agronomy, and regenerative-hydrology design services; and a conseil stratégique practice advising territories, institutions, EPCIs, municipalities, NGOs, and businesses on ecological transition.

Its competitive position rests on a transdisciplinary team combining landscape architecture, agronomy, economics, architecture, and certified permaculture design, plus codified methodologies including Redirection Écologique Territoriale and Planification Agricole Intégrée. Revenue is generated via tiered training fees (€55–€3,450 per participant per module, with solidarity, self-financing, and OPCO/Vivea/Pôle Emploi funding channels), project-based consulting fees, and strategic advisory engagements. Notable operational assets include the Ferme des Calanques urban micro-farm on Lycée Marseilleveyre grounds (1,600 kg of vegetables in the first season, ~260 trees planted) and partnerships with Théâtre du Centaure, Cité de l'Agriculture, Université Populaire de Permaculture, and Brin de Paille. The organization is led by President Arnaud Lezer with codirectors Romain Criquet and Jeanne Diwuy-Lapujade.

The customer base spans educational institutions, NGOs, agricultural cooperatives, municipal governments, and individual trainees across socioeconomic segments, with no disclosed anchor customer. International missions have been delivered in Nairobi (2016 CCP with PRI Kenya), Cape Verde (2018 with ADAN), and Malawi (2018 Victory Gardens with Face-to-face NGO, training 110 villagers). The association generates supplementary revenue through the Ferme des Calanques to balance its finances and is independently operated with no parent company, no shareholders, and no disclosed institutional funding.

Name

Cultures Permanentes

Legal name

Cultures Permanentes

Website

https://cultures-permanentes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cultures Permanentes is a French non-profit association (loi 1901, founded 2016, Marseille, ~10 employees) delivering QUALIOPI-certified permaculture training, a bureau d'études for regenerative landscape and agroecology design, and strategic consulting on ecological transition to farmers, educational institutions, territories, and NGOs across southeastern France, Mayotte, and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Permaculture and Agroecology Training and Consulting

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Landscape, Turf & Groundskeeping Trades (EDAOAOAC), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

Keywords

• Permaculture design training
• Agroecological consulting
• Regenerative agriculture services
• Agroforestry design
• Ecological transition advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Formation et ateliers pédagogiques: The organization generates revenue primarily through training fees charged for professional development courses, workshops, and certification programs in permaculture, agroecology, eco-construction, and related topics. Fees are structured by participant category (solidarity, self-financing, OPCO/enterprise) with prices ranging from €55 to €3,450 per person per module.
2. Bureau d'études - Conception de projets: Revenue from providing landscape architecture, agricultural design, agroforestry planning, and permaculture design services to territories, institutions, EPCIs, municipalities, associations, NGOs, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and educational institutions.
3. Conseil stratégique: Fees for strategic advisory services related to ecological transition, environmental regeneration, and sustainable development for businesses, cooperatives, and institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cultures Permanentes delivers three interconnected service lines: (1) certified professional training programs in permaculture, agroecology, syntropical agroforestry, Keyline Design, regenerative economics, eco-construction and waste management; (2) a study office (Bureau d'Études) providing landscape, agronomic, agroforestry and regenerative hydrology design services to territories, municipalities, NGOs and businesses; (3) strategic consulting for ecological transition and territorial redirection. Training is delivered through year-round in-person sessions in Marseille, southeastern France, the Indian Ocean and Africa.

Product overview

Cultures Permanentes is a non-profit association (loi 1901) offering three interconnected service lines: (1) Formations - certified training programs in permaculture, agroecology, agroforestry, regenerative economics, ecoconstruction, and waste management; (2) Bureau d'Études - a study office providing landscape design, agronomy, permaculture design, and regenerative hydrology planning; and (3) Conseil Stratégique - strategic consulting for ecological transition. The organization operates primarily from Marseille, serving southeast France, Indian Ocean, and Africa. Key training products include the 72-hour Cours de Conception en Permaculture (CCP), Introduction à la Permaculture, specialized modules in agriculture syntropique, Keyline Design, permaéconomie, soil bio-indicators, water management, ecoconstruction, and composting. All training activities are certified QUALIOPI.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Formations en Permaculture et Agroécologie (Permaculture and Agroecology Training Programs) Certified QUALIOPI training programs in permaculture, agroecology, agroforestry, regenerative economics, eco-construction and waste management, with theoretical and practical components. Delivered year-round in Marseille, Provence, southeastern France, the Indian Ocean and Africa.
• Bureau d'Études en Permaculture et Keyline Design (Permaculture and Keyline Design Study Office) Study office providing landscape design, agronomy, architecture, permaculture design, Keyline Design, regenerative hydrology, and integrated agricultural planning services to territories, institutions, EPCIs, municipalities, associations, NGOs, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, and educational institutions.
• Conseil Stratégique en Redirection Écologique (Strategic Consulting in Ecological Redirection) Strategic advisory services for ecological transition, supporting territories, institutions, EPCI, municipalities, associations, NGOs, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, cooperatives, farmers and agricultural schools in implementing environmental regeneration actions.
• Cours de Conception en Permaculture (CCP) 72-hour certification program in permaculture design comprising theoretical courses and practical workshops conducted in groups.
• Introduction à la Permaculture Two-day introductory course covering permaculture ethics, holistic design principles, analysis tools, and project planning methods.
• Plantes Bio-Indicatrices et Diagnostic des Sols Training in soil diagnosis methodology through botanical inventory of wild species present on studied parcels, revealing soil health information including hydromorphism, anaerobic conditions, nutrient blockages, erosion, and biological activity.
• Gestion de l'Eau (Water Management) 1 to 3 day module covering water collection, recycling, and efficient use strategies, including irrigation systems and phytoremediation implementation.
• Écoconstruction (Eco-construction) 1 to 3 day module introducing local ecological materials for building earth-straw ovens, solar dryers, high-efficiency fireplaces, charcoal refrigerators, parabolic solar cookers, dry toilets, and bioclimatic greenhouses.
• Compostage et Zéro Déchet (Composting and Zero Waste) 1 to 4 day module covering biological valorization of organic waste, identification and classification of compostable materials, composting management techniques, and zero-waste practices.
• Concevoir des Jardins en Permaculture Multi-module training spanning the year covering design, planning, and implementation of gardens under the permaculture approach, with over two-thirds practical content forming a complete training cycle.
• Ateliers Pédagogiques (Educational Workshops) Educational workshops for youth and adults under the permaculture approach, covering permaculture introduction, garden creation and maintenance, botany, wild plant recognition, and eco-construction.
• Formation en Agriculture Syntropique / Agroforesterie Successionnelle Training in the farming system conceptualized in Brazil by Ernst Götsch, creating diversified and stratified agroforestry systems (SAF) using ecological succession principles, cultivating trees and food crops simultaneously.
• Formation Keyline Design Training and design services based on the agricultural and landscape design method developed by P.A. Yeomans, focusing on optimizing water runoff distribution, maximizing infiltration, stopping erosion, and improving soil water retention through the Scale of Permanence framework.
• Formation Permaéconomie (Économie Régénératrice) Training in perma-economy (permaéconomie), a framework transposing permaculture principles to economics, targeting net-positive value production compatible with biosphere limits, based on three pillars: care for the earth, care for humans, and fair sharing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,600 kg of vegetables harvested and sold in the first season from the Ferme des Calanques urban farm, supplying school canteens and neighborhood residents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CFPPA (Centre de Formation Professionnelle et de Promotion Agricole, Coconi, Mayotte)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2021The CFPPA of Coconi partnered with Cultures Permanentes to deliver the 'Concevoir son projet et son système agricole avec la permaculture et l'agroforesterie successionnelle' training program. An experimental syntropical agroforestry plot was established on the CFPPA's land.
• Théâtre du Centaure (Marseille)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership from 2016 to 2020 for the co-design and co-construction of a participatory edible landscape ('Vers un verger d'Utopie') at the Théâtre du Centaure, a cultural venue in Marseille's Hauts de Mazargues neighborhood. The site serves as both a demonstration garden and a training support venue for the organization's courses.
• Face-to-face (NGO, USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe US-based NGO Face-to-face commissioned Cultures Permanentes to deliver permaculture training as part of the Victory Gardens project across multiple villages in Malawi (Phalombe and Lilongwe regions). The 10-day mission trained 110 villagers in preserving soil fertility, extending growing seasons, and improving water management.
• ADAN (Cap Verde)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cap-Verdean association ADAN partnered with Cultures Permanentes and Nature Provence to deliver a series of permaculture and agroecology training workshops on Santiago island (Porto Madeira village) and to support environmental restoration efforts in the Cape Verde archipelago.
• Nature ProvenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA French association collaborating with Cultures Permanentes on environmental restoration and permaculture training projects in Cape Verde, including the coordination of training sessions and tree-planting initiatives.
• Lycée Agricole des Calanques (Marseille)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in the Ferme des Calanques urban micro-farm project, established on the grounds of the Lycée Agricole des Calanques and Lycée Marseilleveyre in Marseille's 8th arrondissement. The farm serves as a training tool, a source of fresh produce for school canteens, and an experimental site for regenerative urban agriculture.
• Cité de l'Agriculture (Marseille)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cité de l'Agriculture is an incubator and accelerator for ecological transition projects within the Aix-Marseille Metropolis territory. Cultures Permanentes participates in its ecosystem as a collaborative partner working on urban agriculture and territorial food planning.
• Brin de PaillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench coordination and regulatory body for the permaculture movement in France, founded in 2008. Cultures Permanentes is a member and contributes to the structuring of the French and European permaculture network.
• Université Populaire de Permaculture (UPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench coordination body for permaculture education standards and certification, including the 72-hour Permaculture Design Course (CCP). Cultures Permanentes is a member and participates in structuring the French permaculture movement. The organization's designers are in the process of obtaining their Applied Permaculture diploma through UPP.
• Permaculture Research Institute (PRI) of KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan permaculture research institute with which Cultures Permanentes coordinated a 72-hour CCP in Nairobi, Kenya (February–June 2016), delivered over 7 weekends as part of PRI Kenya's training program.
• Laboratoire Population Environnement Développement (Aix-Marseille Université / IRD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research laboratory contributing to the Ferme des Calanques project, providing scientific oversight and integrating the urban farm into broader research on population-environment-development dynamics.
• Institut Technique de l'HorticultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical horticulture institute supporting the Ferme des Calanques project with horticultural expertise as part of the broader Campus Nature Provence network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Permaculture Research Institute: Australia-based global permaculture education and certification body (Bill Mollison legacy). Cultures Permanentes has co-delivered a CCP in Nairobi with PRI Kenya, evidencing direct collaboration; both organizations deliver and certify the 72-hour Permaculture Design Course.
• Ver de Terre Production: French agroecology-focused training and media organization offering workshops, online courses, and educational content for farmers and citizens. Highly comparable to Cultures Permanentes in target audience (agricultural professionals, citizens) and pedagogical approach, with a wider digital footprint.
• Agroof: French cooperative specialized in agroforestry research, training, and project design. Comparable to Cultures Permanentes' bureau d'études and agroforesterie successionnelle offerings, with overlap in farmer training and consulting on tree-crop systems.
• Terre & Humanisme: French non-profit founded by Pierre Rabhi dedicated to agroecology training and dissemination through courses, gardens, and field schools. Directly comparable to Cultures Permanentes in mission (agroecology education, ecological transition), non-profit structure, and farmer training programs.
• AGRISUD International: French NGO specializing in agroecology project design and capacity building for smallholder farmers in developing countries, with field operations in Africa and the Indian Ocean. Directly comparable to Cultures Permanentes' international permaculture training missions in Malawi, Cape Verde, and Mayotte.
• Solagro: French non-profit engineering and consulting firm working on agroecology, energy, and territorial environmental planning. Comparable to Cultures Permanentes' bureau d'études and Conseil Stratégique service lines for territories and EPCIs engaged in ecological transition.
• Ferme de Bec Hellouin: Iconic French permaculture demonstration farm and training center in Normandy, offering permaculture design courses, on-site training, and consulting. Highly comparable to Cultures Permanentes on training delivery, permaculture methodology, and demonstration-site model, though more tourism/visitor-oriented.

Emerging players

• Fermes d'Avenir: French network and association supporting the development of agroecological micro-farms, with training, advocacy, and on-the-ground programs. Overlaps with Cultures Permanentes on urban/peri-urban agroecology, training, and territorial transition work.
• Brin de Paille: French coordination and regulatory body for the permaculture movement, of which Cultures Permanentes is a member. Provides credibility, network access, and educational standards — a partner network rather than a direct service competitor.

Others

• Atelier LUMA: Design laboratory in Arles exploring regenerative and circular design methodologies, partly inspired by permaculture and biomimicry. Comparable through Emmanuel Delannoy's biomimicry and regenerative economics framing, though operating in industrial/design rather than agricultural training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/culturespermanentes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cultures-permanentes

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cultures Permanentes