Black Mountains College in Talgarth has celebrated the first students to graduate from its Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change degree.

The college held its first graduation this summer, with many of the graduates now staying in the area and using the skills they developed during their studies in local projects and businesses.

The degree is franchised and awarded by Cardiff Metropolitan University and brings together ecology, politics, economics and art. Students are taught through a mixture of practical work, outdoor learning and community projects, with the course designed around the principles of Wales’ Well-being of Future Generations Act.

The college said the course aims to give students the skills to work on sustainability issues within communities, public bodies and businesses, as well as supporting them to develop their own projects and enterprises.

Among the first graduates is Charlie James, who previously studied coppicing at Black Mountains College. While completing his degree, he acquired a lease on a smallholding through the Sarn project with Powys County Council and now runs it with two other young people.

Following a year of consultation in the local community, the group began providing vegetable boxes, which are now sold at several locations. Charlie is also due to begin an MSc in Agroforestry this September.

He said: “Studying the degree with Black Mountains College helped me to design and build a coherent and practicable path forward in my career that allows me to turn my values into meaningful action.”

Another graduate, Emily, is a mother of two from Mid Wales who had not previously considered a degree to be within her reach. During her time at the college she researched composting and waste systems and is now piloting new processes, while also considering offers of a PhD to take the work further.

Beni, from Bristol, came to the college after working as a teaching assistant. His final-year project examined changes to corporate practices and the movement known as Nature on The Board, where he also completed an internship.

He has since helped lay the groundwork for bringing Nature onto the board of Black Mountains College and gained legal experience through the work.

Forrest helped establish the BMC student society during their time at the college, organising workshops, concerts, mini festivals and community events. They now work as a campaigner for Friends of the River Wye.

The college has also established a £40,000 fund to support businesses started by BMC graduates. The fund, supported by an anonymous donor, is open to graduates from the degree as well as vocational courses in forestry, coppicing, regenerative horticulture and nature restoration.

Projects receiving support include a native tree nursery, a mushroom-growing project, an apple juice and cider vinegar co-operative, a natural balm business and a charcoal business, with the successful projects due to get under way in October.