European VET Learners Embark on Sustainability Mission with Launch of Scouts4GreenApp EU SDG Challenge

Today marks the official launch of the Scouts4GreenApp EU SDG Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative empowering vocational education and training (VET) learners and staff to integrate the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into cross-border training practices. Funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, this challenge and the underlying project aim to equip tomorrow’s skilled workers with green competencies through innovative digital tools, training and international collaboration.

Bridging Sustainability and Vocational Training
The challenge bases on the Scouts4GreenApp curriculum with sustainability training and a progressive web application offering interactive learning modules. Participants will use the app to design sustainable projects during international learning mobilities, addressing priorities like climate action (SDG 13), responsible consumption (SDG 12), and quality education (SDG 4). The curriculum aligns with the European Green Deal and the GreenComp sustainability competence framework, emphasizing systems thinking, political agency, and collective environmental action.

Key Components of the Challenge

• Application with Project Concepts: To allow everyone to participate no matter the obstacles in the respective country or company, the learners are asked to hand in project concepts rather than executed projects. Through the international recognition and the awards these concepts might be realised in the end.
• National Challenge: In each partner country, namely Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Finland and Portugal a national challenge will be held to award three learners for their project concepts for social, ecological and economic sustainability. Our partner in Brussels will award three additional winners from outside the partner countries, making the challenge open to anyone in Europe.
• European Challenge: The three national winners per country plus the additional three international awardees will advance to the European challenge, pitching their project in front of an international jury. The three overall winners will receive prize money to start executing their project concept, making their idea of sustainability a reality.

Impact Across Europe
“Apprentices are the architects of a green future,” said the project coordinator. “By embedding SDGs into VET mobilities, we’re transforming how industries approach sustainability.” The challenge targets stakeholders across Austria, Finland, Germany, Portugal, and Slovenia, fostering partnerships between VET institutions and SMEs.

Join the Movement
VET learners, trainers, and companies are invited to register at www.scouts4greenapp.eu/challenge and access free resources, including the project’s White Paper on sustainable VET practices.

Media Contact
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the EU or EACEA.