Flipflopi Learning Hub

Courses in circular innovation, ocean stewardship and heritage skills

Welcome to the Flipflopi Learning Hub – a hands-on learning space rooted in the Swahili coast. Our courses blend traditional knowledge with practical sustainability skills, offering real-world training in plastic recovery, creative reuse, and community-led solutions.

Whether you’re a local craftsperson, a teacher, student, small business, or someone with a passion for protecting the ocean, our courses offer a practical way to learn, connect, and take action. All our training is shaped by Flipflopi’s lived experience of building and running a grassroots plastic recovery and repurpose hub in Lamu.

Plastic upcycling and product innovation

Duration: 1 – 3 months
Level: Intermediate
Who it’s for: Artisans, youth groups, women’s collectives, eco-entrepreneurs

What you’ll learn:

How to sort, shred, melt and mould plastic into new items
Circular Design thinking for products like sustainable furniture and decor
Appropriate technology for repurposing waste materials
Basics of circular business development

What you’ll gain:

Hands-on experience with tools and machines
A prototype product and mini business plan
A participation certificate
Access to Flipflopi’s workspace and local networks

Heritage boatbuilding and sustainable marine craft

Duration: 2–3 months
Level: Advanced / Apprenticeship
Who it’s for: Craftspeople, marine workers, aspiring artisanal boat builders

What you’ll learn:

Traditional Swahili dhow and canoe boatbuilding techniques
How to safely integrate recycled plastic into wooden boats
Marine-safe joinery, repairs, and finishing

What you’ll gain:

Skills in traditional boatbuilding
A certificate of participation
Potential to join a Flipflopi build or partner project (by invitation)

Introduction to community-led plastic waste management

Duration: 5 days
Level: Beginner
Who it’s for: Teachers, school groups, youth leaders, CBOs

What you’ll learn:

Practical learning experiences on plastic recovery
Basics of plastic waste identification, sorting and safety
Design a material recovery facility for your community
How to maximise local value addition from plastic recovery

What you’ll gain:

A starter toolkit and action plan
Links to peer networks and Flipflopi resources

Artivism for the ocean

Duration: 4 days
Level: Open to all
Who it’s for: Students, educators, creatives

What you’ll learn:

How to use art and storytelling to raise awareness
Co-creation of murals, installations, or campaigns
Digital Artivism – spreading the word in your community and beyond

What you’ll gain:

A collaborative artwork or digital output
Resources for running your own awareness activities

Circular economy leadership for shoreline communities

Duration: 3 weeks
Level: Community / policy engagement
Who it’s for: Beach Management Unit leaders, NGOs, local government, educators

What you’ll learn:

How to design and scale local recycling enterprises
How to include women and youth in your value chain
How to align your work with national policy goals

What you’ll gain:

A project concept and draft proposal
A participation certificate
Access to Flipflopi’s learning network and case studies

Tailor-made group courses

Duration: 3 days and up
Level: Customised
Who it’s for: School groups, tour groups, university residencies

What we offer:

Sailing and seamanship on a recycled plastic dhow
Workshops with artists and boatbuilders
Traditional skills like carving, weaving and rope-making

What you’ll gain:

Practical, hands-on experience
A deeper understanding of plastic pollution and solutions
A participation certificate (on request)

All our courses include:

Hands-on training led by Flipflopi staff and local experts
Access to Flipflopi’s workspace, tools and innovation hub during the course
A certificate of participation
First hand experience in an accredited Material Recovery, Recycling and Upcycling Facility
A chance to meet others working for a cleaner, circular future

Check out the current brochure here.

Location

All courses take place at the Flipflopi Education & Innovation Hub on Lamu Island, with some available for on-site delivery in your community.

The Flipflopi Project

Mnazi MMoja, The Flipflopi Boatyard, Lamu, Kenya

Email: info@theflipflopiproject.com

Phone / WhatsApp: +254 728 165 152

Testimonials

Innovation meets tradition

In partnership with TU Delft, Flipflopi explored ways to process hard-to-recycle plastics using simple, local tools. Together, we tested new approaches for low-tech recycling – combining academic research with real-world, community-led innovation.

Hands-on recycling training in Nairobi

Flipflopi ran a two-week practical training with Mtaa Safi youth group in Nairobi. Participants learned plastic sorting, upcycling and business basics – showing what’s possible when young people have the tools and space to lead.

Inspiring the next generation

At our Education & Innovation Centre in Lamu, school groups and visitors are getting hands-on with circular economy ideas. From plastic sorting to ocean storytelling, the space is helping build knowledge and confidence among future changemakers.

Honouring heritage, building futures

Our first cohort of students graduated from Flipflopi’s boatbuilding training programme – learning Swahili dhow-making skills while experimenting with recycled plastic. The course is preserving traditional craft while supporting new green livelihoods.

Upcoming Sessions

We run courses throughout the year. Sign up below to get notified about the next intake, scholarships, or custom group training.