The project will create the necessary resources to assist European HEIs with the implementation of sustainable development strategies.
In our rapidly changing world, the need for sustainable development has become more urgent than ever before. As we strive for a better future for both people and the planet, higher education institutions (HEIs) have a vital role to play. Recognizing this, the Erasmus+ project SDS4HEI (Sustainable Development Strategies for Higher Education Institutions) has emerged as a pioneering initiative, aiming to transform HEIs into drivers of sustainable change.
The SDS4HEI project was born out of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global blueprint adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. At the heart of this agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass a wide range of critical issues such as poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, climate action, and responsible consumption.
The SDS4HEI project recognizes that achieving these SDGs requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach that involves not only governments and societies but also educational institutions. It aims to embed the SDGs as a core component in the fabric of HEIs, including their visions, missions, strategic plans, research, teaching, and campus practices. By doing so, the project seeks to instill a culture of sustainability and empower the entire HEI community to contribute actively to the SDGs.
The SDS4HEI project advocates for a holistic and transformative approach to sustainable development within HEIs. It uses a four-pronged "whole-of-institution" approach to foster the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the European higher education ecosystem. This approach entails systemic change, challenging preconceived mentalities, and developing new processes to encourage synergies across university functions and beyond. It calls for the realignment of values and goals towards the common endeavor of sustainability.
Open-access project results will consist of:
One of the fundamental aspects of the SDS4HEI project is the recognition that motivated and invested educators and HEI management staff are key to fostering sustainable development in the classroom, on campus and beyond. The project will provide them with the necessary tools and knowledge necessary to become pioneers of sustainable development.
SDS4HEI understands that turning words into action is the ultimate goal. While the project aligns with the SDGs and their global aspirations, it also focuses on the role HEIs plan within their regional ecosystems. The project emphasizes the involvement of all stakeholders to collectively work towards the common endeavor of sustainability. By fostering a culture of sustainability, empowering educators, and promoting a whole-of-institution approach, SDS4HEI aims to turn words into action and create real impact.
The project is funded by the EU program Erasmus+ and coordinated by the research department Innovation, Space and Culture of the Institute for Work and Technology of the Westphalian University Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen. Project partners are Momentum Marketing Services Limited (Ireland), the European E-Learning Institute (EUEI) (Denmark), Bursa Uluday University (BUU) (Turkey), Atlantic Technical University (ATU) (Ireland) and the Institut Mines-Télécom Business School (IMTBS) (France).
