- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Background
Equipping the future workforce with the right skills to master the green transition is high on the political agenda in Luxembourg. Raising awareness of young learners to topics of sustainability, circular economy, resource management, energy efficiency and reduction of the carbon footprint requires a transversal approach that involves a large number of stakeholders.
Objectives
The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (MECDD) coordinates the development of an inter-ministerial National Strategy for Circular Economy (Stratégie pour une Économie Circulaire Luxembourg). In this framework, the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth contributes to the provision of educational offers and material on sustainable development for teachers.
Description
The platform for education on the environment and sustainable development, created following the 2007 National Nature Conservation Plan, enables networking by professionals involved in education on the environment and sustainable development who are now cooperating in relation to the objectives of the 2030 agenda. It is intended for non-governmental organisations, local administrations, and institutions active in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), but also for teachers and trainers working in the field of environmental education.
The platform for education on the environment and sustainable development was provided for by the Luxembourg Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy of 2010 went online in 2012. It is intended to provide expertise, ESD activity opportunities and teaching materials; share examples of good practice and experiences; and build interdisciplinary educational projects. The organisations presented on the platform are signatories of the ESD charter, which includes quality criteria for educational ESD activities. The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (MECDD), Natur&ëmwelt and the Ministry of Education are in charge of the management of the platform.
The Department for Coordination of Educational and Technological Research and Innovation (SCRIPT) regularly develops projects and initiatives for primary and secondary schools about sustainable development. The...
The platform for education on the environment and sustainable development, created following the 2007 National Nature Conservation Plan, enables networking by professionals involved in education on the environment and sustainable development who are now cooperating in relation to the objectives of the 2030 agenda. It is intended for non-governmental organisations, local administrations, and institutions active in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), but also for teachers and trainers working in the field of environmental education.
The platform for education on the environment and sustainable development was provided for by the Luxembourg Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) strategy of 2010 went online in 2012. It is intended to provide expertise, ESD activity opportunities and teaching materials; share examples of good practice and experiences; and build interdisciplinary educational projects. The organisations presented on the platform are signatories of the ESD charter, which includes quality criteria for educational ESD activities. The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (MECDD), Natur&ëmwelt and the Ministry of Education are in charge of the management of the platform.
The Department for Coordination of Educational and Technological Research and Innovation (SCRIPT) regularly develops projects and initiatives for primary and secondary schools about sustainable development. The Training Institute for National Education (IFEN) courses catalogue has a section, Sustainable development education - Environment (Education au développement - Environnement), where teachers can find specific training courses in relation to the Luxembourg Agenda 2030 on sustainable development.
In 2019, the third plan for Sustainable development was published based on the UN 2030 agenda. Educational material on the 2030 Agenda has been made available on the platform.
The first Education for Sustainable Development Fair, which took place on 15 October 2019 at the Geesseknäppchen Forum, aimed at bringing together ministries, schools and NGOs to present their offers of activities and teaching materials on sustainable development.
No major developments in 2020, the platform was regularly updated.
In 2021, the platform was regularly updated. The second fair on ESD took place online in June 2021, more than 120 participants presented educational projects aimed at raising learners' awareness, but also their own, acquiring the necessary skills to face the challenges of sustainable development and becoming responsible citizens.
In 2022, the platform for education on the environment and sustainable development was regularly updated.
The third fair on ESD took place in April 2022; different actors involved in education for sustainable development, such as NGOs, administrations, teachers, and educational staff, took part. 250 participants gathered and more than fifty exhibitors presented their activities and materials or their educational projects. Workshops were offered to share good practices and discover new approaches. The Training Institute for National Education (IFEN) and the Department for Coordination of Educational and Technological Research and Innovation (SCRIPT) presented their new projects.
The fourth fair on ESD took place in April 2023; different actors involved in education for sustainable development, such as NGOs, administrations, teachers, and educational staff, took part. Over 70 stands were open to visitors who had the opportunity to share experiences and examples of good practice and be encouraged to become more aware of sustainable development and the implementation of the 17 sustainable development goals of the Agenda 2030.
The fifth fair on ESD took place in March 2024; over 70 stands were open to visitors. The Fair has been awarded the Green Business Events logo. The aim of this logo is to promote eco-responsible events in Luxembourg and to develop sustainable event solutions in collaboration with players in the sector.
During the fair, the Training Institute for National Education (IFEN) and the National Youth Service (SNJ) present a series of training courses for teaching and educational staff and a selection of books on the theme of sustainable development. The Department for Coordination of Educational and Technological Research and Innovation (SCRIPT) gives an overview of its projects and teaching materials available to teachers and initiatives in the field, in schools and colleges.
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (MECDD)
- Natur&ëmwelt
- Ministry of Education, Children and Youth
- Department for Coordination of Educational and Technological Research and Innovation (SCRIPT)
- Training Institute for National Education (IFEN)
Target groups
Learners
- Learners in upper secondary, including apprentices
- Young people (15-29 years old)
Education professionals
- Teachers
- Trainers
Thematic categories
Modernising VET offer and delivery
This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.
The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.
This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.
Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.
Green transition and environmental sustainability have a significant place in the EU agenda (Green Deal), including the agenda for VET. This thematic sub-category refers to identifying in cooperation with industry, incorporating into VET curricula and programmes and teaching the skills related and needed for the green transition, including sector- and occupation-specific skills and those across sectors. It covers measures aimed at ‘greening’ VET programmes, including awareness and knowledge about climate change, green technologies and innovation, energy efficiency, circular economy and environmental sustainability. It also includes the use of appropriate learning methods that develop such awareness.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Promoting sustainability in education: Luxembourg. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/41489