Eco-Sustainability: from the Danish Model to Practical Projects for Your School

Description

Denmark is often named the world’s most sustainable country – but what does that really mean when the bell rings, and we stand in front of a classroom full of young minds?

This course will explore sustainability in a way that makes sense – in real life, with both feet on the ground.

Participants will visit places where change is already happening – green schools, nature-based projects, and people who walk the talk when it comes to climate-conscious choices.

They will get to see, feel, and ask: how do we bring these ideas into our own schools, our own lives, and inspire students to care – not out of fear, but out of connection?

This course isn’t about getting it all right. It’s about focusing on what matters, on what’s possible, and on the choices we make every day as teachers and as people.

By the end of the course, participants will acquire fresh energy, a clearer sense of direction, and trust in the fact that small steps can make the difference – in their classroom, in their school, and far beyond.

They will get fresh inspiration for climate-related teaching, practical tools to engage students, and space to reflect on their own habits and values. We’ll share simple ideas that work – and that are easy to take home and implement.

Concept by Mette Junker, Niklaz Junker, Peter Junker

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Understand what’s currently happening in Denmark with sustainability and climate efforts in schools and society;
• Understand young people’s perspective on climate action and how schools can better engage and inspire them;
• Discover practical and creative ideas to make daily life, classrooms, and school environments more sustainable;
• Understand why sustainability matters – not just globally, but personally and locally;
• Learn simple, hands-on ways to involve students and colleagues in climate-friendly actions;
• Feel motivated to start making positive changes in their teaching and community.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to the course

• Welcome and introduction to the course;
• Icebreaker activity: Building connections;
• What is environmental sustainability?;
• Why is it important?;
• What can we do to make a difference?;
• UN’s Sustainable Development Goals;
• Explore innovative Danish projects that are leading the way in sustainability;
• Copenhagen guided city walk: how sustainability is integrated into daily life in the capital of Denmark.

Day 2 – Visiting Danish sustainability frontrunners

• Sustainability in action;
• Visit to places and people in Copenhagen that are making a real difference for the climate;
• Gather inspiration and ideas to take back to school;
• How to teach and practice can make your school greener.

Day 3 – Inspiration and exploration

• Explore inspiring Danish initiatives;
• Creative recycling of clothes and materials;
• Efforts to stop food waste;
• Sustainable transportation solutions;
• People living with a clear agenda to be environmentally sustainable;
• Develop your personal project.

Day 4 -Creating your own climate project

• Design a project or presentation about an idea, habit, or initiative you want to bring home;
  • What inspired you most?;
  • What is realistic for your school or daily life?;
  • How can you take real climate action together with your students?
• Sharing presentations.

Day 5 – Bringing it all together

• Design their own program aiming at improving economic, social, and environmental sustainability at their schools;
• Exchange best practices and insights with peers;
• Concluding thoughts and reflections, and celebration of growth.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.

Download or share

Get weekly recaps on confirmed sessions!