New EENEE Report eplores the potential of non-formal education in advancing sustainability

The recently published analytical report Harnessing the potential of non-formal education for sustainability by Susana Gonçalves and Daniella Tilbury sheds light on the pivotal role non-formal education plays in fostering sustainability. While formal education continues to receive significant attention in policymaking, this analytical report aims to describe the state of play in non-formal education in the context of learning for sustainability, with a view to informing policy decision-making and guidance in this area.

The study findings indicate a diversity in the current provision of non-formal education experiences in sustainability as well as in the types of beneficiaries, including outreach to disadvantaged or marginalised groups with limited access to education. Key policy recommendations from the report include:

• Promoting cross-sector partnerships to build integrated learning landscapes.
• Enhancing professional development for non-formal educators to ensure high-quality educational experiences.
• Establishing standards and quality assurance in non-formal sustainability education.
• Stronger integration of the value and contribution of non-formal education to learning for sustainability.

For more details, access the full report. Executive summaries and policy briefs are available in English, German and French HERE.