Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, has unveiled over €250,000 in funding for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) projects, benefiting twelve organisations across Ireland. The grants, ranging from €1,000 to €25,000, support various sustainability initiatives proposed for the 2024/2025 academic year under the 2nd National Strategy on ESD (ESD to 2030).
Highlighted projects include school garden development, wellness initiatives, climate summits, community collaborations, sustainable fashion training, and a Rubbish Film Festival. Many of these projects will offer workshops for students and professional development for teachers.
Minister Foley expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It is so encouraging to see the level of interest from the organisations who have applied for funding this year. Congratulations to those who have been successful in their applications this year and I look forward to seeing all of the educational opportunities that are being offered through sustainable development to young learners and throughout our communities.”
The ESD to 2030 strategy, co-sponsored by multiple government departments, aims to ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In addition to the €250,000 funding, nearly €600,000 will be available to schools in September 2024 for further ESD projects. The department also publishes a quarterly ESD newsletter, promoting good practices and providing updates on sustainability education efforts.
Funding Recipients:
- Wool in Schools – €24,910: Wool2Ewe Programme for primary schools
- Wise Water – €25,000: Wellness Project, workshops, teacher resources, community event
- Biodiversity in Schools – €25,000: CPD and resource development
- Dúlra Éireann – €18,000: CPD and video resources
- Sustainable Fashion Ltd – €25,000: New CPD courses
- ISSN – €25,000: Climate and Nature Summit, resources, newsletter, student engagement
- Global Citizenship Schools – €25,000: Whole school resources, One Minute Video project
- Future Focus 21c/UCD – €25,000: Sustainable STEAM futures literacy training for teachers
- Friends of Merlin Woods – €1,000: Community and school collaboration project
- ISSU – €21,000: Debate Your Decision Makers event
- Academy of the Near Future/Trinity College – €14,000: Design Your Future City project in the Gaeltacht region
- Createschool – €25,000: Rubbish Film Festival, workshops, community engagement
For more information, visit the ESD newsletter at gov.ie.