📋 Tender Overview
Subscribe to our Free Email Newsletter Now
Ireland is investing more than EUR624,000 to expand Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initiatives in schools and communities across the country. The funding will support projects designed to help young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton announced EUR624,523 in grants for 27 organisations delivering sustainability-focused education projects during the 2026-2027 academic year.
The grants, ranging from EUR6,325 to EUR25,000, have been awarded under Irelands Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD to 2030). The supported programmes will strengthen sustainability learning in primary and post-primary schools through new teaching resources, teacher training and practical student activities.
The funded projects cover a wide range of topics, including environmental protection, climate action, biodiversity, water conservation and community sustainability. Initiatives receiving support include the Nature Explorer Programme, Picker Pals, Heritage Keepers, Wise Water, Wool in School, Grow It Yourself, the Climate and Nature Summit and student-led sustainability events.
Many of the projects will provide hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to take part in sustainability actions within their schools and local communities. The funding will also create additional professional development opportunities for teachers to integrate sustainability concepts across different areas of the curriculum.
Education for Sustainable Development aims to ensure that learners gain the knowledge, values and skills required to address environmental, social and economic challenges. The strategy aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4.7, which promotes education that supports sustainable development worldwide.
Irelands ESD to 2030 strategy focuses on five key priorities: improving policy alignment, transforming learning environments, strengthening educator capacity, empowering young people and accelerating sustainability action at local level.
The government said the latest investment will help schools access high-quality resources and encourage students to become active participants in building sustainable communities.
Previous ESD funding has already supported thousands of students, teachers and schools across Ireland. In 2025, funding for sustainability education initiatives reached 21 organisations, supporting engagement with more than 97 schools, over 2,500 teachers and more than 300,000 students.
A separate funding opportunity for schools will open later in 2026, providing additional support for school-based sustainability projects.
Through continued investment in Education for Sustainable Development, Ireland aims to strengthen climate awareness, encourage community action and prepare future generations to make informed decisions that support a sustainable society.
Related Posts
Indonesia Unlocks Local Capital for Sustainable Development Through Municipal Bond Innovation
UNDP Calls for Inclusive Digital Intelligence to Accelerate Sustainable Development in Asia-Pacific
Education Initiative Brings New Opportunities to Vulnerable Children in Rural Zimbabwe
United Nations Mobilizes 53.6 Million to Support Togos 2025 Programs
ILO Strengthens Core Skills Training to Boost Graduate Employability in Ethiopia
