The Community for Learning & Innovation (CLI) has awarded funding to seven innovative projects through the Sustainability in Education call for proposals. These initiatives, developed by Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) faculties and teams, will integrate sustainability further into the student journey and empower educators to embed sustainability in their teaching.
Background: Embedding sustainability in education
The Sustainability in Education project is part of the Higher Education Quality Agreements (HEQA). It was developed in 2023 through a collaborative process involving representatives from different faculties, with approval from the University Council. This project supports EUR’s ambition to embed sustainability and sustainable development in all educational programmes, in line with the university’s mission to drive positive societal change.
The project identifies two key approaches:
- Education of sustainability: providing knowledge and understanding of environmental, social, and economic systems.
- Education for sustainability: enabling students to apply this understanding in practice, shaping sustainable solutions and innovations.
By integrating these approaches throughout the curriculum, EUR wants to embed sustainability literacy throughout the student journey.
Call for proposals
The call invited faculties and teams to apply for seed funding to enhance sustainability literacy among students and educators. Projects needed to address one or more of the following intended outcomes to qualify:
- Embedding sustainability in student onboarding across programmes.
- Creating possibilities for a “sustainable profile” through courses and activities.
- Integrating the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) as a reflection framework.
- Offering sustainability-focused thesis projects.
- Supporting teacher professionalisation in sustainability education.
Funded projects
The awarded projects cover different faculties and approaches, showing the diverse ways in which sustainability can be embedded in education at EUR.
This project will design a new bachelor track that equips students with knowledge and skills to address sustainability challenges in marketing and supply chain management. Elements such as case studies, interactive game-like learning, and virtual reality simulations will give students hands-on experience in developing sustainable business strategies.
This project introduces a new BA-2 course on Sustainability Communication, combining conceptual learning with transformative action. Through reflective learning diaries and a Strategic Communication Challenge, students will critically explore how communication shapes sustainability transitions and apply strategies to real-world SDG issues.
This project integrates sustainability and societal responsibility into the bachelor law curriculum through critical reflection. Students will work together with teachers to develop new materials to strengthen students’ reflective skills and prepare for a just and sustainable future.
This project starts the integration of sustainability and environmental issues into the minor Political Economy of European Integration. By embedding these themes in lectures, group work, and term papers, students are challenged to critically reflect on EU regulation, law, and society in a global context.
This project empowers master’s students to shape their role in sustainability transitions through a Canvas-based module on the Inner Development Goals. Combining reflection, peer learning, and action planning, it helps students move from awareness to agency and build resilience as future changemakers.
This project develops a one-hour Canvas module to help students engage constructively in discussions on polarized topics such as climate change and diversity. Piloted in Bachelor and Master programmes at RSM, the module will equip students with dialogue skills and be scaled university wide.
Next steps
The funding will help launch the selected projects in 2025, after which they will proceed according to different timelines. Their results and best practices will be shared within the Community for Learning & Innovation to inspire more innovation in sustainability education.
- More information
For more details about the Sustainability in Education project, contact Linda de Vreede, Sustainability Lead as part of the Strategic Team Impact & Engagement.
Teachers and staff at EUR are invited to submit proposals for sustainability-focused education innovations at any time. The CLI offers tailored support to develop and implement projects that enhance the quality and impact of education at EUR. Find more information about applying for an innovation project here.
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