The SustainEd project has successfully completed pilot testing across all six partner countries, confirming its innovative approach to integrating sustainability education into higher education. Funded under the Erasmus+ program, the initiative engaged nearly 300 students in testing the SustainEdX Toolkit, which combines WebQuests and living labs to provide experiential learning in sustainability and circular economy principles.
Pilot sessions evaluated the usability, engagement, and learning impact of the materials, ensuring their effectiveness ahead of the program’s full-scale rollout. Each partner had the opportunity of implementing the SustainEdX Toolkit in real-world educational settings. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive across partners’ countries.
Hungary: Milton Friedman University Leads the Charge
At Milton Friedman University, 141 students successfully completed the pilot testing process, following a structured approach involving face-to-face and online sessions. Led by Dr. Áron Kovács and Dr. Henrietta Nagy, the testing targeted both full-time and part-time students, as well as an international cohort.
Participants were introduced to WebQuest-based challenge-learning methods, culminating in evaluation sessions where students presented their sustainability-driven business ideas. A group with the most innovative business prototype received special recognition from the university.
Spain: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Integrates Living Labs
At the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 20 students participated in the pilot, leveraging the university’s Living Labs framework. The focus was on sustainable urban development, circular economy, and green finance, allowing students to engage with local stakeholders in solving real-world challenges. UAB faculty praised the toolkit’s effectiveness in linking theoretical knowledge to practical application.
Italy: Fondazione Fenice Connects Sustainability with Industry
At Fondazione Fenice, 62 students explored sustainability challenges in green supply chains, ESG reporting, and renewable energy. The foundation’s experience in vocational training and corporate sustainability allowed for collaborative learning with industry leaders, providing participants with a direct link between sustainability theory and business practice.
Educators noted a high level of engagement, particularly in discussions on sustainable business transitions.
Portugal: StoryTellMe Engages Future Entrepreneurs in Sustainability
In Portugal, the pilot was led by Storytellme, with 16 participants from diverse backgrounds, including university students, faculty members, and entrepreneurs. The testing focused on climate action, ethical sourcing, and circular economy models, with students emphasizing the interactive and engaging structure of the WebQuests.
Feedback from the session emphasized the structured approach of the WebQuests and the clarity of content. The interactive nature of the learning model was widely praised, with students describing it as “engaging and effective in deepening sustainability knowledge.”
Cyprus: Sustainable Solutions for Tourism and Hospitality
At the Cyprus University of Technology, students from the Tourism and Hospitality Management faculty tested WebQuests on stakeholder engagement, green procurement, and zero-waste strategies. The practical, business-oriented focus aligned with Cyprus’ growing interest in sustainable tourism. Participants highlighted the toolkit’s relevance to real-world business challenges, particularly in resource management and ethical investment strategies.
Bulgaria: ACTA Foundation, Vector of Cross-Sector Collaboration
In Bulgaria, the ACTA Foundation engaged students and educators in testing WebQuests related to social entrepreneurship, sustainability leadership, and ESG frameworks.
The organization’s experience in training programs for SMEs ensured that pilot participants gained practical insights into sustainability’s role in business transformation and policy-making. Faculty members and students participated in Bulgaria’s pilot testing, reinforcing SustainEd’s focus on bridging business and academia.
Conclusion
With pilot testing successfully completed across all six partner nations, SustainEd is now preparing for full implementation, integrating participant feedback to refine the SustainEdX Toolkit. The initiative is set to provide a scalable, multilingual educational model, equipping students across Europe with the skills needed for a sustainable future.
For more information, visit the SustainEdX Toolkit page and discover more about what captivated our participants!
