UAlg joins European project to strengthen the promotion of sustainability

The University of Algarve ( UAlg ) is one of the partner institutions of the European project ESDEUS, which aims to establish universities as community leaders in education for sustainable development.

In an era marked by unprecedented environmental, social and economic challenges, the ESDEUS project – European Universities as Community Leaders of the Education for Sustainable Development , coordinated by the University of Lower Silesia (DSW), in Poland, brings together universities from several European countries with the aim of transforming the role of higher education, bringing it closer to communities and climate and social action.

UAlg is the Portuguese representative in this consortium, which also includes the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) and the University of Milan-Bicocca (Italy).

Starting in 2023 and scheduled to end in 2025, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of universities to lead the transition to a more sustainable society.

The approach adopted includes reviewing curricula in light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developing innovative teaching methodologies (digital and hybrid), creating collaborative networks with local communities and identifying and disseminating good ESD practices across Europe.

"The idea is clear: universities cannot be ivory towers. It is essential that they be open to dialogue and joint action with external stakeholders, from civil society organizations and local authorities to schools, businesses, and citizens," explains UAlg.

To date, the project has produced two scientific articles with relevant contributions.

The first presents qualitative and quantitative analyses of documents from universities in the cities of Wrocław, Gothenburg, Faro, and Milan, bringing together pedagogical practices and tools applied to teaching sustainability.

The second is based on interviews with stakeholders, revealing the needs and expectations of local communities and highlighting the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships in the success of ESD initiatives.

In addition to research, ESDEUS promotes workshops , participatory projects, meetings with citizens and free online courses on education for sustainable development, expanding the impact beyond university borders.

"The ultimate goal is ambitious but necessary: to change academic culture and make sustainability an integral part of the universities' mission," according to UAlg.

The project also seeks to increase students' civic engagement, promote lifelong learning, and strengthen ties between higher education and society.

ESDEUS demonstrates that education plays a fundamental role in building a more just, resilient, and sustainable society and that universities, when open to the world, can be true engines of change.