Through the ESD Academy, TEACH4SD offers innovative teaching materials, train-the-trainer courses, and upskilling opportunities that equip learners with the sustainability skills needed for the green transitions.
TEACH4SD main objectives
To develop a European ESD Roadmap that maps current practice, identifies skills gaps and defines what teachers and institutions need to lead the green transition in VET and higher education.
To design and test innovative methodologies, teaching materials and train-the-trainer courses that embed sustainability competences across five key sectors: health, trade, construction, clothing and textiles, and entrepreneurship.
To create a European network of Centres of Vocational Excellence and ESD ambassadors that can scale up sustainable teaching practices and support long-term ecosystems for reskilling and upskilling in Europe.
Background
- TEACH4SD is financed by the Erasmus+ programme Centres of Vocational Excellence, dedicated to leading the development, testing, and validation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) practices.
- TEACH4SD is oriented towards the ambitions put forward by the European Green Deal on tackling climate and environmental-related challenges.
- TEACH4SD consists of five regional Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) each responding to the needs and challenges of one of five sectors forming part of the backbone of the European labour market: health, trade, entrepreneurship, clothing & textiles, and construction.
- TEACH4SD joins forces in a collective action to develop and innovatively advance vocational excellence within sustainability to equip future workforces with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for personal fulfilment and development, employability, social inclusion, and active citizenship.
- TEACH4SD runs for four years and ends on June 14, 2027.
“I observe that the project contributes to strengthening education, extending directly into classroom practice”.
– Marianne Georgsen, Project coordinator
Through the creation of five regional Centers of Vocational Excellence, we address specific needs and challenges
Centre of Vocational Excellence within ESD of Healthcare
VIA University College, Denmark:
VIA University College (VIA) develops and provides a variety of accredited educational programs. VIA consist of eight campuses, all located in the Central Denmark Region. Across six main professional fields (Education and Social Studies; Health; Business; Design; Film and Animation; and Technology and Construction) and eleven departments, we provide more than forty educational programs for well over 18,500 full-time students.
SOSU Ostjylland, Denmark
SOSU Ostjylland is one of Denmark’s largest colleges for social and healthcare education, offering VET programmes, youth education and supplementary training for professionals. The college is located in the Central Jutland region of Denmark. The college has a lot of experience in sharing Danish know-how related to different areas and aspects of education, social and health topics, the 17 SDGs and sustainability and digital competence development.
Aarhus Municipality, Denmark
Aarhus Municipality’s Assisted Living Technology Department leads the city’s innovation and implementation efforts within assisted living solutions. The department develops, tests and scales technologies in collaboration with companies and care professionals, ensuring real-world value for citizens and staff.
Centre of Vocational Excellence within ESD of Trade
Odisee, Belgium:
Odisee provides higher education by way of professional bachelor and vocational programs. Odisee is a University of Applied Sciences that comprises six campuses in Aalst, Brussels, Dilbeek, Schaerbeek, Ghent and Sint-Niklaas, respectively. These are dynamic centers of education, research and social services, located at the heart of Belgium. Odisee is one of Flanders’ largest Universities within Applied Sciences, enrolling more than 10,000 students each year.
Syntra Midden-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Syntra Midden-Vlaanderen is a government-approved vocational training organisation supporting the skills needs of micro and small businesses. The school provides programmes in fields such as construction, metal and electrical work, automotive technology, bakery and food, administration and commerce, as well as entrepreneurial tracks for those wishing to launch their own company. With 120 staff and a network of 900 industry-based trainers, it offers practice-oriented courses, including strong dual-learning programmes linked to an extensive company network.
Centre of Vocational Excellence within ESD of Entrepreneurship
Saxion, The Netherlands:
With close to 27,000 students, Saxion is one of Netherland’s largest higher education institutions. In 1998, a merger of two educational institutions, the Hogeschool Enschede and Hogeschool IJselland, paved the way for Saxion University in its present form. This merger enabled Saxion to augment its strong position among the higher education institutions in the Netherlands; and since then, Saxion University has come to be recognized as an important center of expertise at a regional, national, and international level.
ROC van Twente, The Netherlands
ROC van Twente offers secondary vocational and adult education in the Twente region and promotes entrepreneurship through its Entrepreneurial Lab. The lab supports students and staff with startup guidance, skills training and networking, in collaboration with business professionals and regional partners.
Novel-T, The Netherlands
Novel-T drives high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship in the Twente region, connecting companies with investors, researchers and talent. It supports start-ups, spin-offs and established businesses through tailored programmes, acceleration services and guidance on future-proof business models. With strong regional and international networks, Novel-T strengthens the innovation ecosystem and fosters the development of new technologies and ventures.
Centre of Vocational Excellence within ESD of Fashion and Textiles
ELISAVA, Spain:
ELISAVA awards graduate degrees in Design and Design Engineering as well as academic and professional master’s programs within the areas of product design, strategy, innovation and management, and Interaction and Advanced Technologies. ELISAVA constitutes a network of students, alumni, researchers, industry, organizations, and cultural design stakeholders. They train over 2,000 students per year and boasts 11.000 m2 of facilities, including 5 experimentation labs. Their expertise are focused on a social, human, and cultural perspective on design and engineering.
Eurocat, Spain
Eurecat is Catalonia’s leading technology centre and one of Southern Europe’s major private research organisations, with 650 professionals and over 1,600 industry clients. Eurecat delivers advanced R&D across industrial, digital, sustainability and biotech technologies, holding international patents. Eurecat also develops innovative vocational training programmes and digital learning environments that support modern, technology-driven training methodologies.
Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona, Spain
The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce is a public institution representing around 300,000 companies and supporting economic activity across the Barcelona region. It provides services in internationalisation, training, innovation, consultancy and administrative support, strengthening the competitiveness of businesses of all sizes. The Chamber also promotes Dual Vocational Training, preparing students and company tutors for work-based learning across multiple professional fields.
Centre of Vocational Excellence within ESD of Construction
TUIASI, Romania:
The “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Lasi, Romania (TUIASI) is a prestigious Romanian university, classified as a university for advanced research and education by the Romanian Ministry of Education & Research. TUIASI is North-Eastern Romania’s leading higher education institution within the technical educational field. The University has a total of 13,546 students. The university provides nine academic programs, exclusively taught in English, within the fields of Civil Engineering, Electronics, Industrial Design, Environmental Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Telecommunications and Web Technologies.
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical College Iasi, Romania
The “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical College of Iași is a VET institution offering training in construction, mechanics and wood manufacturing for both youth and adults. With 180 years of vocational tradition, the college supports career development, digital innovation and regional growth through modern, accessible learning environments.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iasi, Romania
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iasi is an autonomous, non-governmental and non-profit chamber of commerce representing and supporting the interests of local businesses since 1864. It provides services including advocacy, business information, company start-up support, international promotion, professional training and commercial mediation.