The Sustainable Development Goals in All Aspects of School Life – A Democratic Society in Practice

Summary

The project integrates the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into all aspects of teaching and school culture at Tröllaskagi High School. The goals are explored through interdisciplinary, creative, and project-based learning. Students engage with real-world issues, such as climate change and equality, using active, participatory methods. This dynamic, future-oriented approach places strong emphasis on student voice, sustainability, democracy, collaboration, and Erasmus+ exchange, and sees education as a living process. 

“The project has had profound impact on students, teachers, the school and the local community, allowing all to become more aware citizens who are ready to participate in the society of the future with responsibility, insight and creativity.”   

Topic(s) addressed 

Holistic and visible integration of the global goals in all school activities; creative and individualised learning; democratic participation of students in shaping learning; connections with the international context. 

Target group(s)  

• Teachers
• Pupils
• School staff and pupils
• School community in Ólafsfjörður town

Methodologies used 

This Erasmus+ project applies interdisciplinary learning, project-based teaching, and creative assessment methods. Teachers collaborate on course design and subject integration, offering a strong model for developing interdisciplinary projects in other schools. The curriculum design, assessment tools, and project descriptions created at the school are accessible, transferable, and valuable for educators aiming to advance school development in the areas of sustainability and social responsibility. Although located in a small town in northern Iceland, the school is inherently inclusive and has established itself as a model Erasmus+ participant. 

Innovation environment 

The project at Tröllaskagi Secondary School takes an innovative approach by integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into every aspect of school life - curriculum, teaching methods, assessment, and communication. These goals serve as a framework for all learning, explored through creative, interdisciplinary, and individualised projects such as cooking, writing, or social analysis. Students play an active role in shaping both the learning process and assessment, fostering a strong culture of democracy and responsibility. Teachers collaborate across disciplines, while international Erasmus+ projects further broaden perspectives. Rooted in Tröllaskagi’s own pioneering model, the approach champions initiative, creativity, and bold thinking within a flexible and future-oriented learning environment.

Teacher's role

Teachers at Tröllaskagi work across disciplines, co-developing courses and projects that require new forms of communication, collaboration, and initiative within the school. Through participation in Erasmus+ projects and collaboration with schools across Europe, students share their work, exchange ideas, and place their subjects in a global context - enhancing cultural awareness and social connection. The project makes full use of the flexibility offered by the Tröllaskagi Model to explore new approaches to learning. Here, initiative, creativity, and daring are not just slogans, but practical, everyday strategies. The project stands as a living example of how a small, visionary school can create a new educational tradition. 

Impact and output 

The project has had a significant impact on students, teachers, and the local community. Students develop a deep understanding of environmental and social issues and take part in real-world projects that promote inclusion, equality, and democracy. Teachers collaborate across disciplines and innovate through the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The school has cultivated a democratic culture rooted in trust, responsibility, and active participation. The project fosters international dialogue and strengthens community engagement around sustainability, diversity, and inclusive education. Its flexible methodology can be adopted, fully or in part, by other schools and adapted to local needs, serving as a source of inspiration for promoting democratic, sustainable, and creative education in any community. 

Learn more about the project