From Partnerships to Progress: Driving Sustainability in Adult Education
09/01/2025
The SMALEI EU-funded project organised the 5th SMALEI Digital Academy Talk, titled “Partnerships for Sustainability,” on January 9, 2025, bringing together early 30 participants to explore how collaboration can drive impactful sustainability initiatives in Adult Learning and Education (ALE). Hosted by Adult Education Association Baden-Württemberg (VHS Verband) with the support of YUVA, and moderated by Andrea Bernet Bürkle, this event offered valuable insights from expert speakers Katrin Nuiro – Head of Volkshochschule Wiesental (Adult Education Centre), Dr. Bettina Dengler – Head of Unit, Ministry of the Environment, Climate, and Energy Baden-Württemberg and Andreas Michel – Director, Music School Pforzheim who shared their experiences, strategies, and challenges in fostering partnerships for sustainability.
Ms. Nuiro highlighted the unique opportunities and challenges of promoting sustainability in rural regions like Wiesental, a town of 25,000 people in Germany’s Black Forest. As an educational partner in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, VHS Wiesental integrates sustainability into its programming by offering courses that blend education, culture, and nature. She stressed the importance of cooperating with local sectors and civil society organisations. As a good example, Ms. Nuiro shared the local “Sustainable Saturdays,” an initiative which brings communities together to learn about sustainable practices. Ms. Nuiro underlined the main challenge of securing funding for educational projects and she concluded by saying that regular collaboration with partners through biannual meetings and innovative projects to align goals and drive community engagement is essential.
Dr. Dengler shed light on how government partnerships are crucial for advancing sustainability education in the region. She discussed the Ministry of the Environment, Climate, and Energy Baden-Württemberg’s efforts to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its strategy for enhancing the visibility and quality of sustainability education offerings. The Ministry’s role in coordinating long-term strategies with multiple stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs) and NGOs. She explained that they organised. large-scale networking events, such as a November 2024 gathering with 250 participants, to foster collaboration among diverse groups. She suggested to participants to set up clear goals and well-resourced partnerships to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Mr. Michel emphasized the role of music in promoting sustainability and community cohesion. By integrating sustainability themes into music education, the Music School of Pforzheim fosters awareness among young learners about the impact of their actions on the world. Practical examples of embedding sustainability in daily operations, drawing inspiration from innovative practices like Coldplay’s sustainable concert efforts. He added that in times of drawing borders of European states, it is important to work together and to show, that sustainable acting is essential for our future.
In her closing words, Ms. Nuiro reiterated the necessity of partnerships for adult education centres, particularly in rural areas. She emphasized that sustainability must be a core principle of education, connecting local communities to global goals. The event concluded with an online matinee performance by the Music School of Pforzheim, showcasing the synergy between culture and sustainability. She was joined by Dr. Dengler adding that having a clear purpose is essential for partnerships—understanding why you are collaborating and what you aim to achieve is crucial. Partnerships should not exist merely for the sake of forming connections but to accomplish meaningful goals, while being mindful of available resources.
Next Steps
The SMALEI Digital Academy Talks continue to inspire dialogue and action in the ALE sector. Don’t miss the final SMALEI Lunch Talk Webinar on February 6, 2025, where experts will share tips for successful sustainability campaigns.
📅 Date: 6 February 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00–13:00 CEST
👉 Register here
Speakers:
- Vasiliki Katsikerou – Education and Advocacy Advisor, PhD Candidate at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Alice Darchicourt Patault – Sustainability & Communication Expert, Professor at IHECS (Brussels)
Join us to explore how ALE providers can create meaningful and impactful sustainability campaigns. Let’s build a more sustainable future together!
