A fair, green and coherent Europe invests in the well-being of all its citizens while protecting the health of the planet. To achieve this vision, it is essential an inclusive and future-oriented education systemwhich equips students with the necessary values and competencies.

The path to a fair and green Europe

Education strengthens social cohesion, builds resilience and improves quality of life. It also contributes to a more diverse workforce and closes economic and skills gaps. New report European Commission (January 2026) entitled „"Inclusive Education and Learning for Sustainability"“ It makes important recommendations on how to link inclusion and environmental sustainability in school practice.

Why are inclusion and sustainability inseparable?

Inclusion and sustainability are not two separate educational topics; they are deeply interconnected and interdependent.

• The essence of inclusive education: Inclusion is a cross-cutting principle that prioritizes the engagement, well-being and success of all learners. It recognizes that equity and excellence go hand in hand. It supports differentiated learning through personalized or targeted strategies and sees diversity as a strength in education.
• No sustainability without inclusion: True sustainability depends on the meaningful participation of all people in decision-making, avoiding mere formal involvement (so-called tokenism). It is important to actively involve students from diverse backgrounds in curriculum development, activity design (e.g. planning field trips), and contributing to school sustainability plans.
• Marginalized voices: Inclusion means that all students, especially those from marginalized groups, must have a real influence in school governance structures (student councils and committees). Just social transformations will only occur when all groups of the population fully participate in them.
• Natural connection in ecological schools: Schools with a strong environmental focus also tend to excel in inclusion, as learning for sustainability encourages participation and critical thinking about social and environmental justice (e.g., the unequal impacts of climate change).

Rethinking Success: From Performance to Holistic Well-Being

Inclusive and sustainable education challenges traditional, individualistic models of success. These often place a one-sided emphasis on individual academic performance. The new approach shifts the focus to holistic well-being, collective action and the development of skills needed for an inclusive society.

When school systems prioritize academic achievement over holistic outcomes, tensions arise that raise questions about the true purpose of education and the balance between economic goals and the protection of people and the planet. This shift also requires more inclusive assessment methods. Traditional written exams should be replaced by creative forms (e.g. video projects or digital tools) that better and more fairly capture the diverse skills of students.

From educational policies to school practice

Transforming education requires clear political support and changes in curricula:

Inclusive policy-making and cross-curricular curriculum

The process of designing educational policies itself must be inclusive. Representatives of families, unions, organizations representing educational staff, and students themselves must be at the table. In Portugal For example, during the recent curricular reform, students submitted their own proposals and directly discussed with political institutions, thereby truly influencing its direction.

The curriculum should not be strictly divided by subject. New approaches integrate sustainability and inclusion as cross-curricular educational areas. Ongoing reform in Ireland seeks to open up space for interdisciplinary and inclusive education that sensitively reflects the diverse realities of students.

Putting policy into practice

In Portugal, the approach to inclusive education is characterised by an emphasis on formative assessment, flexibility for teachers, linking human rights to inclusion in teacher education, and mentoring and safe environment programmes. Similarly, Sweden implements national programs aimed at an inclusive educational environment, while Norway has a long-term focus on anti-bullying campaigns.

Support for teachers and school leaders: The key to successful change

Teachers in both initial and continuing education will shape our society for decades to come.

• Teacher education: A stronger cross-cutting focus on sustainability and inclusion needs to be incorporated into teacher training. Equity- and epistemic justice-oriented approaches that challenge dominant ways of knowing and value diverse perspectives are key.
• School Leadership (Whole-School Approach): Methodological guidelines for all staff empower school leaders to address inclusion and sustainability in an integrated and holistic way through a whole-school approach.
• Teachers need resources: Educators are under time pressure and resource constraints. They need targeted support, access to ready-made, high-quality learning materials, and recognition through certification. Policymakers need to support the institutions that develop and centralize these materials.

Partnerships and holistic care for health and well-being

Modern education requires going beyond the boundaries of the school itself and developing broader cooperation:

• A holistic approach to student needs: Understanding students' needs is no longer limited to their academic performance. Today, it includes psychological, socio-economic, cultural, gender, sexuality, disability, and neurodiversity issues. Close collaboration between teachers, school administrators, psychologists, and social workers within a broader support network is therefore essential.
• Harnessing the power of industrial partnerships: An example of a successful connection between business and education is the project Microsoft Dream Space in Ireland. This innovative STEM hub works with researchers and policymakers to improve teacher education based on real-world identified skills gaps. It offers Teacher Academies, the STEM Passport for Inclusion program, and educational television shows such as Dream Space TV Code Green.

Practical initiatives and resources for educators

For teachers who want to put these principles into practice, there are several free resources supported by the EU and other organisations:

1. EU recommendations: Inclusive education is enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights. Recommendations such as Pathways to School Success (Paths to Success in School) promote a systemic approach to supporting disadvantaged groups of students.
2. Eurydice and UNESCO: Eurydice monitors diversity in schools. UNESCO offers methodological packages to support inclusion and education for sustainability with respect to cultural diversity.
3. Greenpeace: Provides educational materials such as the German project Schools for Earth (Schools for the Earth) or methodological package Plastic-Free Future (A Future Without Plastics) for teachers.
4. CopGendered: A European Erasmus+ project specializing in the relationship between gender inequality and the climate crisis, offering information documents in seven languages.
5. TSI and JustEd projects: The TSI project is helping to address regional disparities in inclusive education in Italy, Portugal and Spain, while JustEd has published a practical guide for secondary school teachers on integrating equity into their teaching.
6. British Council: Developed an educational package „"Climate Change and Girls' Education"“ designed for working with students aged 11–17.

Education as an investment in the future

Linking inclusion and education for sustainability is not just a modern trend, but a fundamental prerequisite for building a resilient and just Europe. But it requires the courage to rethink current success patterns, invest in teacher training and provide schools with the necessary material and professional resources. The journey to sustainability begins in the classroom, where every child has a place and their voice is meaningfully heard. JRi&CO2AI