Green Communities: Sustainability and the Environment in Adult Education

Adult education can be a powerful engine for community-level sustainability action.

Environment and ClimateInclusion and DiversityErasmus+ KA1 ADU

About This Course

Community-level sustainability action is one of the most important and most undervalued dimensions of the European Green Deal. National policies set the framework but it is in communities and local organisations that the green transition actually happens. Adult education is uniquely positioned to catalyse this community-level change.

This course gives adult education professionals a thorough, inspiring and practically focused engagement with sustainability and environmental education in adult learning contexts. Participants explore how adult education can contribute to the green transition at community level, develop practical sustainability education approaches, and design programmes that connect adult learners to the environmental challenges in their own communities.

The course is aligned with GreenComp, the European Green Deal, the European Agenda for Adult Learning and the Erasmus+ Environment priority.

Green Communities

Who Should Attend

  • Adult educators who want to integrate sustainability into their programmes
  • Community learning professionals working on environmental issues
  • Non-formal education practitioners with community development and sustainability goals
  • Adult education managers developing green strategies
  • Library and information professionals with community sustainability roles

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

  • Apply GreenComp to adult learning programme design and connect sustainability to adult learners' everyday lives.

    Sustainability education for adults is most effective when it starts from adult learners' own experiences and community contexts. You will design activities that feel immediately relevant rather than abstract or overwhelming.

  • Facilitate learning that moves adult learners from awareness to genuine sustainability action.

    Most environmental education produces awareness but not action. GreenComp's action competences, individual initiative, collective action and political agency, are the most neglected dimensions of sustainability education.

  • Connect your organisation's sustainability work to the EU Green Deal and Erasmus+ Environment priority.

    Adult education organisations that position their sustainability work within the Green Deal and Erasmus+ Environment priority are better placed to access funding and develop partnerships.

    Environment PriorityEuropean Green Deal
  • Design community-based sustainability projects that engage adult learners as agents of local change.

    The most powerful adult sustainability education produces community projects: a community garden, a local energy audit, a food waste reduction campaign or a repair cafe. You will design a community-based sustainability project for your own adult learner context.

A 7-Day Professional Development Experience

Five days of intensive training with a structured arrival day and cultural excursion. We tailor every programme to your organisation's needs.

Day 1
Sunday - Arrival and Welcome

Welcome dinner. An early connection to the host city's environmental character.

Day 2
Monday - The Green Transition and Adult Education
MorningThe European Green Deal and its implications for communities. GreenComp: twelve sustainability competences for all citizens.
AfternoonMapping the green transition in your community: what is changing and what opportunities exist.
Day 3
Tuesday - GreenComp for Adult Learning Design
MorningApplying GreenComp to adult learning programme design. From awareness to action.
AfternoonParticipants design sustainability learning activities for their own adult learner contexts.
Day 4
Wednesday - Community-Based Sustainability Action
MorningCommunity-based participatory approaches to sustainability education. Case studies from across Europe.
AfternoonLocal sustainability visit: participants engage with a local sustainability initiative in the host city.
Day 5
Thursday - Designing Your Community Sustainability Project
MorningParticipants design a community-based sustainability project for their adult learner context. Peer feedback.
AfternoonConnecting to EU frameworks, Erasmus+ reporting and community partnerships.
Day 6
Friday - Action Planning
MorningOrganisational sustainability strategy for adult education organisations.
AfternoonPresentations, certificates and farewell dinner.
Day 7
Saturday - Cultural and Environmental Excursion

Guided cultural and environmental excursion. Departure at convenience.

This outline is a starting point. Contact us to discuss how we can tailor this programme for your organisation.

EU Policy Alignment

EU Competence Frameworks

EU Policy Initiatives

European Green DealEuropean Agenda for Adult Learning 2021 to 2030GreenComp FrameworkErasmus+ Environment Priority
← Back to ADU Mobility

Available Locations and Dates

Check the dates page for current availability.

Check Dates and Availability

Ready to Join This Course?