Best practices from our members
Get inspired by these examples of Innovative LifeLongLearning practices in Sustainability, collected from our members.
Slobodná Skola
We spend a lot of time outdoors, have every week a schooltrip to free nature and we observe and talk a lot about our environment, the changes and our impact. We try to form environmentally aware pupils through their direct experience and a lot of talking in various situations.
Trekkify
PATH ( Promoting Activism Through Hiking: An Innovative LLL Approach to Sustainability )
The Erasmus+ project PATH – Promoting Activism Through Hiking seeks to engage young people (18–30 years old) in hiking activities while fostering their active participation in associations and promoting civic and environmental engagement.
While Eurostat statistics indicate that 65% of young people aged 15–24 participate in sports, fitness, or recreational activities at least once a week, their involvement in sports associations and federations remains limited. PATH addresses this challenge by creating innovative lifelong learning opportunities that combine physical activity with sustainable and socially responsible practices.
Young Europeans are physically active, but their participation in the social and decision-making processes of associations is still limited. PATH aims to bridge this gap through learning experiences that emphasize collaboration, sustainability, and civic engagement.
The project targets the following specific objectives with an emphasis on sustainability:
SO1 – Enhance communication skills in sustainable outdoor practices:
Support young people and hiking associations in adopting modern communication strategies to promote environmentally conscious practices and responsible engagement in outdoor activities.
SO2 – Foster co-design activities in sustainable outdoor sports:
Introduce innovative co-design methodologies to involve young people in shaping sustainable hiking initiatives. By actively participating in designing programs and campaigns, participants develop critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills while learning about environmental stewardship.
SO3 – Promote European long-distance paths (E-paths) as sustainable cultural and ecological experiences:
Through co-design activities, young people contribute to campaigns that highlight the ecological, cultural, and social value of European trails. This approach ensures that sustainability is at the core of decision-making and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among participants.
The project will deliver two main innovative outcomes:
R1 – PATH Methodology for engaging young people through co-design and sustainable practices:
A comprehensive guide that provides practical tools for youth organizations to implement co-design activities focused on sustainability, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. Access methodology here
R2 – Co-designed campaigns promoting sustainable European Trails:
A collection of campaigns developed by young participants that showcase innovative approaches to hiking, environmental protection, and community engagement. These campaigns will be featured on a dedicated page on the PATH website, highlighting best practices in sustainable outdoor activities across Europe.
In summary: PATH combines hiking, civic participation, and sustainability into a holistic lifelong learning experience. By engaging young people in co-design and decision-making processes, the project fosters innovative learning, environmental awareness, and active citizenship
BASE 3
DESIGN SMART(Empowering VET and Women Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Fashion Innovation)
The Design-Smart project tackles the major environmental impact of the EU textile and fashion sector by strengthening skills in sustainable fashion, eco-design, and AI.
The initiative supports VET providers, SMEs, and women entrepreneurs with practical tools to adopt greener and more circular business models.
Key contributions:
• Creation of a Sustainable Fashion & AI Curriculum
• Training of 200+ educators through Train-the-Trainer seminars
• Adoption of 7 new VET curricula on sustainable fashion and AI
• Mentorship programme with AI-powered eco-design guides and ethical material databases
• SME self-assessment tool to track sustainability progress
• A digital platform connecting over 200 VET institutions and SMEs, offering open-access modules and AI tools (e.g., waste-reduction simulator)
This project provides concrete, scalable solutions that directly support the transition to a circular and sustainable fashion industry.
Kaleide International School
Kaleide International School is committed to caring for the environment, respecting nature, combating climate change, and promoting environmental awareness.
To achieve this, we have implemented several policies and practices in our school operations. Our school is built on a renovated building that was constructed in the 1940s, and we take pride in preserving its architectural heritage. We collect rainwater for gardening and graywater to be reused in toilet water, reducing our water consumption. Our school ethos promotes contact with nature, and our students are encouraged to move freely in our spacious garden area.
We draw inspiration from democratic schools and forest schools. We have many windows that show the exterior, and solatubes direct natural light inside the building, minimizing the use of artificial lighting.
We strive to minimize our ecological footprint by using sustainable cleaning products, reducing the use of plastics and polluting materials, and using sustainable furniture and non-toxic, sustainable materials. In our kitchen, we prioritize local and organic produce, and we have a vegetable garden in development that will serve as a learning space for our children.
Finally, our blackwater sewage system uses microorganisms to purify residual water, reducing our impact on the environment.
Edunat Sociedad Microcooperativa
“Our approach combines hands-on nature education with sustainable practices and active environmental conservation.”
- Nature-Based Learning
Our curriculum is centered around outdoor learning, where children spend 100% of their time in nature kids learn through direct interaction with the natural environment, fostering deep respect and understanding
We practice “leave no trace” principles during all outdoor activities
Children learn to identify local flora and fauna, understanding their role in the ecosystem.
- Sustainable Operations
Zero-waste lunch policy with reusable containers
Composting system for organic waste, maintained by team and kids , feed the ducks and chickens with lunch scraps
Rainwater harvesting for our garden Solar panels provide renewable energy for our indoor spaces
Use of natural and biodegradable cleaning products
- Environmental Projects
Student/ team -maintained organic vegetable garden
Native species planting program to support local biodiversity
Bird and insect habitat creation and monitoring
Regular forest clean-up activities
Tree adoption program where each class cares for specific trees
- Climate Action Initiatives
Carbon footprint monitoring and reduction goals
Forest restoration projects Partnership with local environmental organizations
Parent education workshops on sustainable living
Seasonal celebrations aligned with natural cycles
- Environmental Awareness Programs
Weekly nature observation and journaling
Environmental impact assessment projects
Regular nature conservation workshops
Intergenerational knowledge sharing with local elders about traditional ecological practices
- Community Engagement
Collaboration with local environmental groups
Parent workshops on sustainable living Public awareness campaigns about local environmental issues
Participation in regional environmental initiatives
Edunat commitment to environmental education and sustainability helps create the next generation of environmental stewards while taking concrete steps to protect and restore their local ecosystem.
HOPELAND
A Sustainable Eco-Space
Hopeland is a 7.6-acre eco-space in Argolida, Peloponnese, designed to inspire sustainable living, self-sufficiency, and respect for nature. Nestled among century-old olive trees, fruit trees, almond trees, herbs, five giant yews, and a 400-year-old oak, it demonstrates how humans can live in harmony with the environment.
The space applies innovative and practical sustainability practices:
- Water Recycling & Rainwater Harvesting: Greywater from showers and sinks is reused for irrigation, and a large reservoir at the estate’s highest point collects rainwater.
- Maximizing Resources: Hopeland strives to leave no resource untapped, continuously improving methods to reduce its ecological footprint.
- Eco-friendly Living & Natural Building: Infrastructure and activities are designed to minimize environmental impact.
- Biodiversity Preservation: Native and ancient trees are carefully protected, supporting a healthy ecosystem.
As a model for small-scale, community-based sustainable living, Hopeland shows how innovation, care for the environment, and personal development can come together in a single space where every action counts.
kweebus
Kweebus places a strong emphasis on environmental care and awareness.
Children spend most of their time outdoors, building a deep connection with nature while learning about ecosystems and biodiversity.
The school operates in yurts on stilts to minimize its environmental impact, and we have already installed composting toilets to reduce water use.
Our education approach is eco-conscious, with children participating in hands-on activities like composting and gardening, teaching them sustainability through practical experience.
We also strive to use eco-friendly materials, minimize waste, and rely on locally sourced, natural resources in our daily practices.
4th Primary School of Didymoticho
A Model of Ecological school
The 4th Primary School of Didymoticho participated in the Ecological Schools Program, held by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN). Through this initiative, the school modeled sustainable education, not only as a taught subject but also through its daily practices, integrating environmental responsibility into the life of the school.
This commitment is reflected in several practical and innovative actions that actively involve students:
- Energy Conservation: Student “Energy Guardians” perform daily checks, helping reduce energy use and raise awareness about sustainable consumption.
- Biodiversity & Nature Care: Students plant flowers and build bird feeders, directly enhancing the school’s natural environment.
- Interactive Environmental Education: A unique Eco-Code, developed through a board game, makes learning about sustainability hands-on and engaging.
- Community Engagement: Teachers, students, and staff all take part, fostering teamwork, responsibility, and a shared commitment to protecting the environment
CABBAGE
Creative Balcony Gardening for Wellbeing and Sustainability
Cabbage promotes balcony gardening among adults to improve mental health, strengthen community wellbeing, and support sustainable living. The project raises awareness of environmental and climate challenges while helping adults, especially older adults, develop practical green skills suited for urban spaces.
Key contributions:
• Promotes balcony gardening as an effective way to reduce stress, isolation, and other mental-health risks
• Builds competencies for sustainable lifestyles through hands-on gardening
• Develops and tests new methods for acquiring balcony gardening skills
• Shares innovative green practices from partner countries through a collaborative green platform
By transforming balconies into small creative gardens, the initiative empowers adults to enhance their wellbeing, reconnect with nature, and integrate sustainability into everyday life.
Ťahanovská záhrada runs a community garden that offers children a safe and stimulating space to grow, learn, and explore. Since 2017, the NGO has been active in environmental education and sustainability projects, including an eco-education initiative for schools in Eastern Slovakia. Over the past four years, they have taken children on more than 200 educational trips, giving them the freedom to move, explore, and stay curious in open, unstructured environments. These experiences help children respect nature, think about sustainability, and learn through direct contact with the natural world how to respond to its needs
Lekkeroever
Connecting Children with Nature
Lekkeroever, a project by our member Plukgeluk, brings children closer to nature through hands-on, outdoor learning. Students explore ecosystems, create gardens, learn about symbiosis and sustainable food, and enjoy cycling adventures in the Linkeroever cycling paradise.
By combining experiential learning, biodiversity projects, and permaculture principles, Lekkeroever inspires young minds to understand and care for the natural world while promoting climate resilience and environmental justice.
La Petita Vall
La Petita Vall is a nature-based project in the Vall de Sant Daniel (Girona) for children aged 6 months to 3 years old, implemented by our member Temps De Bosc . Following the forest school philosophy, the forest becomes the classroom, where children learn through free play, exploration, and direct contact with plants, soil, water, and wildlife.
The rich natural environment supports their cognitive, emotional, and physical development while cultivating curiosity, autonomy, and respect for nature. A nearby shelter space, provided by the Girona city council, offers protection during extreme weather and complements the outdoor learning setting.