The European Commission continues to support education for environmental sustainability

The Commission published a good practice examples study and participated in the 1st meeting of a working group on sustainability.

Following the publication of the proposal for a Council Recommendation on learning for environmental sustainability and its supporting documents, the European Commission continues to actively support education for environmental sustainability. 

In early February, the Commission published a study presenting 15 Erasmus + projects focusing on environmental sustainability across different countries and levels of education. According to the study, more than 5,000 projects on this topic have been implemented since 2014, from which 120 examples of good practice were selected in the first place and then finally 15 projects in which case studies took place, mainly through individual interviews and focus groups. These 15 projects were carefully selected taking into account the composition of the countries involved and the geographical balance, diversity of levels and aspects of education (eg. lifelong learning perspective, multidisciplinary approach, development of key comptences, whole-institution approach) and the potential impact of these projects.

In addition to a detailed presentation of all projects, the study also includes a detailed description of the methodology, the context of its creation and a summary of key points of the stakeholder discussion workshop on this topic of June 9, 2021. More information in the study itself and on the Commission's website.

First meeting of the working group on sustainability in school education

Further good practice examples, as well as input for the development of policy documents and recommendations are expected as the output of the Working Group on Sustainability in School Education, which met for the first time in the second week of February.

The group includes representatives of the Ministries of Education and the Environment, social partners, stakeholders and other relevant organizations from more than 30 countries and aims to support the work on learning for environmental sustainability at EU level. At the first meeting, the group was presented with current Commission documents (proposal for a Council Recommendation on learning for environmental sustainability and its supporting documents). Subsequently, the group discussed its work programme for 2022-2024, which should include topics such as the development of pupils' and teachers' competences in the field of sustainability, the professional development of teachers or the connection between digital technologies and education for sustainability.

Last but not least, a whole-school approach to this topic, which includes, for example, supporting school self-evaluation, supporting the introduction of innovative approaches and methods, the importance of pupil and student involvement and the cooperation of schools with local communities, businesses and local authorities to ensure a complex approach to the issue.

The working group is expeteced to meet regularly for the following 5 years, share its experience, identify examples of good practice and work on the development of follow-up policy recommendations and guidelines. The second meeting should take place in Prague in mid-March as part of the 11th World Environmental Education Congres. 

More information on the Commission's website.