Teachers today are often faced with the challenge of preparing students for a world where environmental awareness and sustainable choices are no longer optional but necessary. Bringing these topics into the classroom is not just about raising awareness, it’s about equipping young people with the skills and attitudes they’ll need to take action in their own lives and communities.
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From 17 to 23 August 2025, the course Green skills for education: promoting environmental awareness and sustainable actions in the classroom took place in Porto, Portugal. It brought together teachers and educators from across Europe: Corinna, Christian, Sophia, Silvia, and Heike from Bayerischer Volkshochschulverband e.V. (Germany); Viera from Gymnázium Komenského 32, Trebišov (Slovakia); Anna and Weronika from Zespół Szkolno-Przedszkolny w Słodkowie (Poland); Natalia, Beata, and Małgorzata from Kolegium Edukacyjne PSO SSP 3 Dębinka Poznań (Poland); and Marco from Istituto Comprensivo G. Garibaldi (Italy).
The week began with an introduction that framed the key questions: What do we mean by green skills, and how can they be woven into everyday teaching? This first step helped participants connect the theme to their own contexts and start building a shared vocabulary.

On the second day, the group moved from theory into practice. Activities included role-playing conversations with students about environmental topics, experimenting with methods for collaborative learning, and reflecting on the concept of ecological footprint. These discussions encouraged teachers to think about responsibility not only in terms of consumption but also in terms of positive contributions.
Midweek, the focus shifted to the bigger picture. Participants explored the Agenda 2030 framework and worked on distinguishing between needs and wants. These sessions highlighted the importance of helping students recognize the global connections behind their choices, while also keeping the conversation grounded in daily life.

Thursday brought fresh air and movement. Participants were introduced to project-based learning as a way to guide students through real-world challenges, and they experienced how outdoor activities can spark creativity, foster collaboration, and strengthen a personal connection to nature.
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On the final day, the group deepened their work with project-based approaches and explored Let’s Act, a platform designed to support teachers in preparing green lessons and teaching about environmental sustainability and sustainable practices. This practical tool showed how digital resources can complement creative teaching methods, helping to make environmental education more accessible and engaging.
By the end of the week, participants had not only tested a wide variety of strategies but also built strong connections with colleagues from different countries. The course created a space for sharing experiences, reflecting on challenges, and leaving with practical ideas that can be adapted to different schools and communities. Most importantly, everyone walked away with renewed energy to bring sustainability into their teaching and to help their students see themselves as part of the solution.
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Discover more about this course here