Language: Espaรฑol
Advanced Sociocracy Training with certification
Sociocracy and other forms of decentralized governance have received an increased level of interest in recent years. Many people are questioning the ways of command-and-control and are seeking more collaborative and inclusive ways of working together.
A transition to decentralized collaboration requires new knowledge and skills but also a transformative mindset. As many of us step out of the old system, we’re still figuring out what the new one looks like. Leaders and people who implement sociocracy often feel isolated.
That’s where the Sociocracy Academy comes in! Learning, and allowing ourselves to be transformed work best together. We have trained about 280 people in the Sociocracy Academy since 2018.
We invite you into our 5-month journey to dive deep into sociocracy.
โSociocracy Academy was the most immersive, intensive educational experience outside of school that has helped me grow.โ
Brandon
Team leader, Washington DC, USA
โI am finding that the academy certification process has well prepared me to jump in and train clients in sociocracy. The badge system is well thought through and everything that Iโve done through the year of the academy allows me to show up feeling confident, and the tools and materials that I need are at my fingertips. It was an intensive year, with lots of detail and time and attention required โ but it was worth it. Thank you for all of the time, energy and creativity you and SoFA put into bringing the Sociocracy Academy to life!โ
Bernadette
Coach, Portugal
Sociocracy Academy program
We offer several levels from deepening to sociocracy certification.
- Academy Level 1 is for people with a good basic understanding of sociocracy;ย
- Academy Level 2 is for experienced practitioners and facilitators who want to step up their game and want to teach sociocracy or use it in their consultancy. It requires facilitator certification or equivalent.
- Academy Level 3 is for certified facilitators who want to advance their certification towards trainer and consultant certification.
Academy Level 1
For people with a basic understanding of sociocracy who want to deepen their understanding and for their own practice of sociocracy.
Frequency
Weekly for 2h for 5 months in a cohort of ~28 people.
Upcoming cohorts
- Feb 2026 – July 2026
- Sep 2026 – Feb 2027
Curriculum
Vision, Mission, Aims and domainsย | Circle structure | Roles | Meetings | Feedback | Consent | Selections | Performance reviews
Certification
Covers the content necessary for practitioner and facilitator sociocracy certification
Academy Level 2
For people with SoFA Facilitator certification (or equivalent from other organizations) who want to support others (better) in using sociocracy.
Frequency
Every 2 weeks for 2h for 5 months in a cohort of ~15 people.
Upcoming cohorts
- Feb 2026 – July 2026
- Sept 2026 – Feb 2027
Curriculum
Design and run a sociocracy training | Plan and lead an implementation | Information flows | Power analysis | Assessing an organization
Certification
Topics necessary for trainer and consultant certification (and support in gaining relevant experience).
Academy Level 3
For people with SoFA Facilitator certification (or equivalent from other organizations) who want direct support in their professional certification path.
Frequency
As needed, scheduled in 1:1 directly with the mentor.
Upcoming cohorts
– start any time
Curriculum
Professional development for training/ consulting practice.
Certification
Support trainer and consultant professional development and certification.
Sociocracy Academy Level 1: sociocracy practice and facilitation
What is it
A comprehensive training to empower learners in understanding and using sociocracy skillfully.
Curriculum
The program covers all the parts of sociocracy:
Topics include:
- Clarity on vision, mission, aims
- Designing circle structures, circle roles and operational roles
- Co-developing proposals, consent decision and integrating objections
- Selection process (simple and complex)
- Sociocracy and equity and inclusion
- Meeting format, minutes, backlogs
- Social-emotional challenges and how to address them
- Giving feedback, making requests, and performance reviews
You will have exclusive access to a knowledge library with short videos and articles on each topic. Our badge system will help you track your progress toward acquiring all necessary skills.
While in the program, all of our regular classes (like NVC, or facilitation practice classes) can be accessed for free in addition.
The best part about the Sociocracy Academy is the people! You will learn from and with people who are doing great work in the world and in their organizations – like you!
Trainers
Experienced trainers lead classes with theory and experiential parts in each session.
“Early cohort” training team:
Ted is an advocate, trainer and consultant for self-governance. His main focus is sociocracy. After his PhD inย linguisticsย and work in Academia, he co-founded the membership organizationย Sociocracy For Allย in 2016. A certified consultant, Ted spends his days consulting with mission-driven organizations, teaching and deeply immersed in the work as a member within Sociocracy For All. Ted has 5 children between 12 and 22. A German citizen, heย has lived inย Massachusetts since 2010. He is (co)-author of four books on self-governance, Many Voices One Song (2018),ย Who Decides Who Decides (2021),ย Collective Powerย (2023), From Here to There (2025), and working on a book on the interface between governance and wisdom.ย
Yolanda is an independent social researcher and accredited sociocracy facilitator based in Brisbane, Australia. She is a member of Co-operative Bonds, a co-operative of freelancers dedicated to advancing the co-operative economy. Yolanda also serves on the board of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA), where she advocates for fairer and more sustainable economic systems. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Science in Applied Social Research. Yolanda completed Sociocracy for Allโs Academy Level 1 course in 2024, undertook Level 2 training the same year, and is currently working towards her Trainer-level qualification. Yolanda convenes the Oceana Sociocracy Community of Practice for co-housing communities and is a support trainer in Academy Level 1. Yolanda regards sociocracy as a foundational tool for change-makingโsupporting shared power, collective responsibility, and the creation of life-serving systems.
Lizzie Benton is the Founder of Liberty Mind, an entity thatย supports founders and their teams in adoptingย new ways of working. Since discovering self-management in 2017 through Frederic Laloux’s Reinventing Organisations, Lizzie has dedicated her career and personal growth to exploring more nuanced ways of working that truly make an impact on people and planet. Being a curiousย explorer of progressive organisational models, Lizzie is a Certified Sociocracy Facilitator, as well as a Holacracy Practitioner,ย TuffLeadership Practitioner, and Certified Semco Style Expert. Lizzie is inquisitive and open to completely different types of structures and systems, and the approach she takes is correspondingly open and organic.
Lizzie has worked across multiple sectors โ including advertising, marketing, technology, construction, charities, and non-profits โ helping teams and leaders evolve how they work together. Beyond her professional work, Lizzie has a deep love of learning and personal growth. Sheโs an avid reader with a passion for self-development and is often found exploring ideas and wandering down research rabbit holes. When sheโs not reading, youโll likely find her on long walks in the countryside or practising yoga โ both of which keep her grounded, reflective, and connected to what matters most.
“Late cohort” training team:
Leander Roth is the co-founder and mythematician of worker coop Spring Up, and co-host of the podcast Getting Free Together. He has a background in sociology, entrepreneurship, and restorative / transformative justice. Leander is a systems thinker and conflict strategist who enjoys supporting organizations in building shared power and decentralization. Some of their trainings through Spring Up include: Harm Systems Design, Power and Consent in Decision Making, Conflict and Consensus, and Getting Free Together.
Jerry coaches and consults for individual and organizational development in the areas of governance, decision-making, and communication skills. His primary interest is in reducing economic inequality through egalitarian governance. He is a CNVC-certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication and a founding residentย of the Cherry Hill Cohousing community, created in 1994 and operatingย sociocratically since 2013. He has taught sociocracy since 2006. He was certified as a consultant by The Sociocracy Group in 2013 and by the International Sociocracy Certification Board (ISCB) in 2019. Jerry co-founded Sociocracy For All in 2016 with Ted Rau.
Certification
In Sociocracy Academy Level 1, you can work on your Practitioner and Facilitator Certifications.
Practitioner badges:
- Vision, mission, aims
- Circle structure
- Leader and delegate
- Facilitator and secretary
- Operational roles
- Consent decision making
- Connection and listening
- Interpersonal feedback
Facilitator badges:ย
- Meeting structure
- Minutes and backlog
- Proposal co-creation
- Integrating objections
- Policy review
- Selections
- Performance reviews
- Equity and inclusion
Format
Classes are two hours weekly on zoom. There is a mix of plenary and small group work.
Workload
Plan 30 minutes a week for additional work and communication, and writing and completing assignments if you want to complete both Practitioner and Facilitator Certifications by the end of the Sociocracy Academy Level 1 program.ย
Teachers often stay on for 30min after class to answer questions. While this is optional, you’re very welcome to make use of that extra time by staying on.
Tuition
- $1,500-3,500 for consultants/business
- $1,500 self-payers
- $500-1500 on scholarship
Sociocracy For Allโs mission is to make sociocracy affordable to anyone.ย To us, this means that everyone pays what they can, depending on their individual situation. Everyone will need to stretch a little to make it work, just as the Sociocracy Academy staff is striving to put on amazing learning opportunities. The final decision on your individual tuition will be made in a consent decision with our enrollment coordinator in a video call.
Note: It is very unusual for people from North America or Europe to receive scholarships to pay less than $1000.
Refunds
Any time: defer to next year, either rejoining at the beginning or the second semester of the next cohort. – $100 admin fee. Dropping out by Sept 30: 50% refund. After that, no more refunds, only deferrals.ย
Schedule
There are two cohorts per semester of Sociocracy Academy to offer across time zones and keep groups at a reasonable size of about 20 students.
Feb 2026 “early” cohort
Europe/Australia/Asia friendly time
This cohort will meet on Wednesdays from 9-11am Central European (Berlin) time for 2 hours each week.
The first class will be on Feb 11, 2026. The last session will be on July 15 2026.
All classes follow the Central European (Berlin) daylight saving: when central EU countries switch to summer time, the class time will switch for everyone else (and then switch back or stay, depending on your local time.)
The first meeting will be:
Apply for the “early” cohort.
You will speak with Ted.
Feb 2026 “late” cohort
Europe and Americas friendly time
This cohort will meet on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm Eastern time (New York) for 2 hours each week.
The first class will be on Feb 11, 2026. The last session will be on July 15 2026.
All classes follow the USA (New Yor) daylight saving. That means, when US states on Eastern time switch to summertime, the class time will switch for everyone else (and then switch back or stay, depending on your local time.)
The first meeting will be:
Apply for the “late” cohort.
You will speak with Jerry.
Requirements
Basic knowledge of sociocracy (take theย assessment quizย and score above 17 โ if you score below, we will support you in more training before Sociocracy Academy starts). For those with less experience, there will be a complimentary crash course (6h) at the beginning of the Sociocracy Academy.
In a short and friendly 25min 1:1 call, we will determine whether you have enough experience. You can ask your questions and decide whether this program is going to be what you’re looking for.
Requests and other inquiries: info@sociocracyforall.org
Why should you join?
Most Sociocracy Academy students have studied sociocracy on their own or in classes and then realized that they would like to learn it “for real.” In the past, about 80% of students were in organizations considering or already using (parts of) sociocracy.
Academy students are typically the “cheerleaders” for better governance in their organizations.
- You should join if you are the “governance person” in your organization and want to support the internal resources in your organization.
- You should join if you want to understand sociocracy more deeply.
- You should join if you want to prepare to teach/implement sociocracy in organizations in Level 2.
Honestly, we are very proud of the kinds of people we attract to our trainings. They are heart-mind-hands people who are passionate about better organizations and a more equal society, understand that better systems are a critical leverage point, and have the courage to learn through first-hand experience. If that’s you, too, we’d love for you to join us!
Sociocracy Academy Level 2: sociocracy training and implementation
What is it
Academy Level 2 is our training of trainers for those who seek to continue their learning journey and be able to train others and lead sociocracy implementations, either in your own organization, or as a professional.
Curriculum
The program covers training and implementation of sociocracy, and advanced topics of sociocracy.
- What are good exercises and training designs for sociocracy training?
- Implementation of sociocracy – what are the steps?
- What are the preconditions for implementation?
- Who decides governance?
- What is the legal interface?
- How does one write a governance agreement (constitution)?
- Case studies and guest speakers
- Common misconceptions and issues.
Trainers
Jerry Koch-Gonzalez and Ted Rau (more info see above)
Certification
For those who have already achieved Facilitator Level, we offer classes that support candidates in achieving Trainer and Consultant Sociocracy Certifications (see certification levels).
Trainer badges:
- Flow of information
- Logbook
- Workflow
- Power
- 1-hour introduction
- Half-day workshop
- One-day workshop
- Two-day workshop
Consultant badges:ย
- Case study
- Assisting an implementation
- Implementation process
- Implementation #1
- Implementation #2
- Legal considerations
As a trainer certified by SoFA, you will be able to certify practitioners and facilitators through the SoFA system, an attractive offer to client organizations and students.
Format
Classes are two hours every two weeks.
Workload
The workload of the Sociocracy Academy will fluctuate and you will be able to adjust it – but this training only makes sense if you have room in your life to pursue training and implementation experience – ideally, this training accompanies in your training and consulting practice that you are already doing.
You will be expected to offer trainings and work with organizations in addition to that as well as doing some reading and writing and engage with peers.
Tuition
- $1,200-3,500 for consultants/business
- $1,200 self-payers
- $400-1200 scholarship
Sociocracy For Allโs mission is to make sociocracy affordable to anyone.ย To us, this means that everyone pays what they can, depending on their individual situation. Everyone will need to stretch a little to make it work, just as the Academy staff is striving to put on amazing learning opportunities. The final decision on your individual tuition will be made in a consent decision with our enrollment coordinator in a video call.
Refunds
Any time: defer to next year, either rejoining at the beginning or the second semester of the next cohort. – $100 admin fee. Dropping out by Sept 30: 50% refund. After that, no more refunds, only deferrals.ย
Schedule
Feb 2026 cohort
(not set yet)
All classes follow the USA daylight savings. That means, when the USA switch to summertime, the class time will switch for everyone else (and then switch back or stay, depending on your local time.)
Requirements
Facilitator certification (via SoFA or equivalent)
Apply
Send an email to academy@sociocracyforall.org.
Training team
Jerry coaches and consults for individual and organizational development in the areas of governance, decision-making, and communication skills. His primary interest is in reducing economic inequality through egalitarian governance. He is a CNVC-certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication and a founding residentย of the Cherry Hill Cohousing community, created in 1994 and operatingย sociocratically since 2013. He has taught sociocracy since 2006. He was certified as a consultant by The Sociocracy Group in 2013 and by the International Sociocracy Certification Board (ISCB) in 2019. Jerry co-founded Sociocracy For All in 2016 with Ted Rau.
Leonie Smith is a first-generation Canadian of Jamaican heritage. She is founder of The Thoughtful Workplace, a coaching, and consultancy practice that uses relational and skill-building approaches to coaching, training and systems development; People of Colour for Nonviolent Communication (POC4NVC), an international network for Black, Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC) who are connected to principles of nonviolence; and Necessary Trouble Collective (NTC) a consultancy and training organisation dedicated to supporting movements, communities and activist groups find harmonious ways of being and working so that they can remain focused on their shared purpose.
She has over 20 years of experience in senior management positions in nonprofit organisations in communications, fundraising and human resources. Leonie is also a certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication, through the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) and certified Facilitator in Sociocracy, through Sociocracy for All (SoFA), who also consults with organisations looking for people-centred ways to structure their work.
Ted is an advocate, trainer and consultant for self-governance. His main focus is sociocracy. After his PhD inย linguisticsย and work in Academia, he co-founded the membership organizationย Sociocracy For Allย in 2016. Ted spends his days consulting with mission-driven organizations, teaching and deeply immersed in the work as a member within Sociocracy For All. Ted has 5 children between 12 and 22. A German citizen, heย has lived inย Massachusetts since 2010. He is (co)-author of three books on self-governance, Many Voices One Song (2018),ย Who Decides Who Decides (2021), andย Collective Powerย (2023), From Here to There (2025) and working on a book on the interface between governance and wisdom.ย
Why should you join Sociocracy Academy Level 2?
You should join if you are implementing sociocracy in an organization (which can be your own) and want to understand better how to do it.
You should join if you work with organizations already (or you want to in the near future). You should join if you have facilitation and practical experience with sociocracy and want to offer (more) training with higher quality.
Note: we strictly follow the principle that only those who know how to use sociocracy first-hand should teach and implement it as consultants. Consultants who want to offer sociocracy in their portfolio are asked first to become proficient and embody the values of shared power before teaching others. For that reason, Level 2 Academy requires facilitator certification or an equivalent level.
Academy Level 3: Professional development
What is it
Academy Level 3 refers to the commitment to remain in the certification process to achieve badges that require more practical work and are usually beyond the scope of the Academy Levels 1 & 2. Academy Level 3 is an ongoing program paid quarterly. The aim is to achieve Trainer and/or Consultant certification, which requires a high level of self-determination. Academy Level 3 provides more intensive and individualized support for participants to achieve the goal.
How does it work
You pay $300 for 3 hours of one-on-one mentoring in each quarter that you participate. For those who cannot pay the full price, we will establish a financial plan that may include work exchange and participation in income-producing activity for SoFA. Enrollment decision for each quarter is due by the 5th day of the first month of the quarter.
Level 3 participants may create their own Community of Practice under the SoFA Communities Department. Communities of Practice are uncoached peer groups unless arranged otherwise.ย
Trainer
Jerry Koch-Gonzalez (see above)
Requirements
- have achieved the Facilitator level or an equivalent
- be a SoFA Member in good standing;
- do an Interview with the mentor
- enrollment is by mutual consent
Apply
- Complete your Facilitator Certificate via Academy Level 1, 2, Academy Extension, or independent path.
- Make a date to talk to Jerry Koch-Gonzalez
- Pay your Academy Level 3 fee and schedule your first meeting with Jerry.
Academy Level 3 mentoring is personal. It is 3 hours of one-on-one exploration of what you need to complete the trainer and consultant-level certifications. What we do varies. I may support you in training design or outreach strategy for a public workshop. I may think with you about the challenges in an implementation that you are accompanying. I may explore with you fears of public speaking or being a โsalesperson.โ I will support you with whatever you might need to get over the finish line of certification. The main responsibility will still be in your hands. SoFA has limited capacity to deliver an audience or client for you. We are all creating the market for sociocracy as we go. Courage and entrepreneurial willingness are necessary. And I will have your back. Thatโs it!
When we first meet we will identify your resources, opportunities, and challenges and go from there. The endpoint is the trainer and/or consultant certification performance review. I am looking forward to working with you!
Certification and Badges โ A Learning Path
Badges are an acknowledgment of real-world skills and a learning map that you can use them for self-motivation and monitoring your learning.
You receive a badge after you have acquired, practiced and demonstrated a skill. This could be, for example, to facilitate a selection process in different contexts (with multiple roles, online, in person, etc). The badge is defined by a description of the skill and the measurement of the skill acquired (depending on the skill, this can be self-evaluation forms, evaluation forms from the people attending, e.g. participants in your selection process, or evaluation by an observer).
Please refer to our certification page for an overview of our certification framework overall.
