About Us
Black Mountains College: A model for the future
The mission of Black Mountains College is ‘learning to live in a warming world.’ We are a new institution dedicated to teaching skills relevant for an uncertain and changing current systems. We see the climate crisis as a result of deeper structural, cultural, and economic problems. Tackling these issues calls for new skills, new ways of thinking and new ways of seeing. We promote creativity, and fresh ways of organising knowledge, communities, and action.
The college carries out its mission through a two-part structure:
Black Mountains College Project (the charity)
Black Mountains College Operations (the social enterprise delivering accredited training)
Together they form a whole-systems approach to preparing for a climate impacted future, each addressing a different but essential dimension of the transition: formal education and wider movement building
The Social Enterprise: Building Skills and Capability
The social enterprise offers accredited training in practical skills appropriate for a warming world. Further education courses include regenerative horticulture, nature recovery and responsible forestry. Our undergraduate programme in Sustainable Futures Arts, Ecology and Systems Change teaches ecological design, collaborative action and putting change into practice. This hands-on approach is the driving force behind BMC’s accredited programmes.
We help people get ready for green jobs, support workers as they adapt, and equip people to pursue livelihoods that allow communities and nature to thrive. We are supporting Wales and the UK to have the skilled people needed for climate adaptation, decarbonisation, nature recovery, and more resilient communities.
Technical skills by themselves are not enough to change systems. They need to be part of a wider cultural and civic setting. That’s where the charity comes in.
The Charity: Creating the Cultural, Civic, and Creative Foundations for Change
The charity focuses on wider movement building. This involves a focus on culture, imagination, and public awareness. Our programmes help make future skills meaningful and able to drive real change. We encourage new ways of thinking, build networks, and support civic involvement, all of which are key for changing systems.
Beth Nawr? Festival of Systems Change
Blending the playfulness of a festival, the rigour of a conference, the depth of a retreat, and the practical focus of a two-day course, Beth Nawr unlocks our collective capacity to build a future where both people and the planet thrive.
We bring together people that are demonstrating systems change across the UK and internationally to share their practices. Through interactive sessions, participants explore how to leverage change in small and big ways to build a more just and ecological society.
Eco Futures Camp: Empowering 16–25 Year Olds
Our Ecological Futures Camp gives young people from England and Wales a residential hands-on experience that mixes climate knowledge, practical skills, creativity, and community building. The program helpsyoung people feel more confident, take initiative, and become leaders. Participants learn more about earth systems, feel connected, and gain skills to help build a better future.
Imagination Practice: Expanding the Possible
Imagination is an important skill for tackling climate issues. If we can’t picture different futures, systems stay the same. Imagination Practice uses creative group activities to help people and communities explore new ideas, question old habits, and try out new ways of living and organizing. This work lays the groundwork for real change.
Our Find Your Future workshops for young people help people imagine alternative futures and find meaningful pathways towards them. Our Climate for Creatives course in collaboration with the British Council trains artists in earth systems literacy and also the skills to communicate and translate this into their own creative practice.
Public Education and Talks: Building an Informed, Engaged Society
Public talks such as Talgarth Talks as well as online offerings and our informative social media channels help build public understanding of our predicament and bring people together to talk about it. This way, climate knowledge becomes demystified, the science is made relatable and part of everyday life, making communities stronger and supporting democracy.
Why this matters
The climate transition requires both technical competence and cultural transformation. Most institutions focus on one or the other; BMC is unusual because it does both.
The social enterprise builds capacity for change
The charity creates the context needed for change
The social enterprise trains people
The charity works to change systems
The charity creates the context needed for change
The social enterprise gives people the tools they need
The charity equips society with the imagination and understanding to use them
This combined approach lets BMC tackle the climate crisis in practical, cultural, educational, and systemic ways. We believe it makes Black Mountains College a leader in climate-focused education and a driver of lasting, positive change.
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Study
Each of our courses are designed to equip you with the tools to lead change in your community and be more resilient in a changing world. View our course offering here and make a tangible impact on the future. Now is the time.
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Student Life
At Black Mountains College (BMC), student life is as unique and transformative as the education itself. Whether you’re studying for a degree in Sustainable Futures or completing a vocational course, your time here will be connected to nature, community, and hands-on learning.
Our People
Change starts with people. We’ve got a small, agile team, a supportive and active board of trustees and a wide network of supporters. Get to know our team here.
The BMC Prospectus
Download the Black Mountains College prospectus for an overview of our courses, campuses, and vibrant student life
Visit us
Come along to one of our Discovery Days or Campus Tours to explore our campuses and meet your tutors