Multidisciplinary Sustainable Development in VET

Summary

This Erasmus+ project adopted an innovative approach to teaching sustainable development. Students from Finland, Germany, and Belgium collaborated on hands-on activities focused on energy, plastics, and water. Mixed group workshops, visits to companies implementing sustainable practices, and a final trip to the Parlamentarium in Brussels fostered inclusion, digital skills, and a sense of European citizenship.

“This project made sustainability and citizenship not just subjects—but shared responsibilities. An empowering journey to growth, awareness, and active engagement.”

Topic(s) addressed

• Sustainable development
• Renewable energy
• Water conservation
• Plastic alternatives
• Circular economy
• Digital skills
• Inclusion
• European citizenship

Target group(s)  

• 60 VET students (ages 16–18)
• 12 teachers from Finland, Germany, and Belgium

Methodologies used

The project adopted a multidisciplinary approach, integrating sustainability across various fields of study to create a more holistic and interconnected learning experience. Students played an active role, collaborating in mixed groups during workshops and company visits that developed their practical skills and problem-solving abilities.  

Formative assessment was used throughout to monitor individual progress and promote reflective learning.  

The project combined formal, non-formal, and informal methods by linking classroom learning with hands-on activities and real-world experiences.  

Collaboration with external stakeholders, including companies showcasing sustainable practices, fostered inclusion, participation, and cooperation, while strengthening learners’ engagement and sense of European citizenship.

Innovation environment

Our project showcased schools as drivers of innovation, integrating sustainability across disciplines and fostering creativity in learning. By cultivating a positive school climate, we encouraged active student participation, collaboration, and a sense of ownership in the learning process.  

Activities focused on renewable energy, water conservation, and circular economy practices, promoting the sustainable use of available resources. A whole-school approach engaged teachers, students, and external stakeholders, creating an inclusive environment.  

Cross-sectoral cooperation played a key role, with partnerships involving companies and organisations that allowed students to explore real-world sustainable practices, extending the impact of learning well beyond the classroom.

Teachers’ role

Teachers played a central role as innovators in our project. One teacher from Riveria, specialising in sustainable development, ensured activities were aligned with sustainability goals, strengthening the interdisciplinary focus and grounding lessons in real-world issues.  

A key method was conducting workshops in mixed groups, which encouraged students to collaborate across borders and communicate in a foreign language, fostering active participation and improving communication skills.  

Other teachers led both theoretical and practical sessions, enriching the project through hands-on learning.  

They promoted student wellbeing by creating supportive, engaging learning environments.  

Their expertise in sustainability, digital tools, and collaboration was instrumental to the project’s success.  

Peer learning further enhanced the overall teaching approach, driving innovation.

Impact and output

The project had a strong impact on the students by deepening their understanding of sustainability through hands-on learning. It promoted inclusion by engaging participants with fewer opportunities and encouraging collaboration in mixed groups. A key moment of growth for all participants was the final activity at the Parlamentarium in Brussels, where a role play on EU decision-making boosted students’ civic engagement, confidence, and ability to communicate in a foreign language.  

The project’s impact extended beyond the target group, as students and teachers shared experiences with peers, families, and local communities, spreading awareness and inspiration around sustainability and European citizenship.

Learn more about the project