ESD future landscapes

Since August 2023, Bochum has been one of the selected municipalities participating in the state program and forming an “ESD Future Landscape” with selected schools.

As part of the program, all schools participating in the project receive support from qualified facilitators in the development of their individual ESD school and classroom programs. In keeping with the spirit of the “Whole-School Approach“Under this approach, the participating schools are to continue developing as places of learning that embody the principle of sustainability as an institution as a whole and view ESD not merely as a cross-curricular theme in the classroom. The learning environments of the “Future Landscape” involve the entire school community in decision-making processes and collaborate with external partners and local government, among others.

The long-term goal is for schools, in their role as multipliers, to share their experiences and knowledge of “good practices” with other schools, so that these future landscapes continue to expand.

The Bochum Regional Education Office is responsible for municipal coordination and, in doing so, initiates forward-looking school development processes. In this context, stakeholders—such as foundations and school social workers—are involved in school and instructional development processes.

The project is strategically designed to bring about change through a “bottom-up” process and, in particular, to incorporate students’ ideas into the transformation of the school system.

Contact information

Address: Universitätsstr. 43-49, 44789 Bochum

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Education for Sustainable Development (ESD for short) in schools?

ESD in schools represents a holistic educational approach that involves everyone in the school community (students, parents, teachers, etc.) and empowers them to embrace forward-thinking and sustainable ways of thinking and acting in their everyday school life.

Why is ESD important?

ESD promotes understanding of global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and social injustice, and helps develop sustainable solutions. Everyone plays a role in responsibly shaping a future-oriented and sustainable world.

What skills does ESD teach?

ESD fosters a forward-looking capacity for shaping the future that empowers individuals to lead sustainable lifestyles based on personal responsibility. This involves both learning and practicing the ability to understand the impact of one’s own actions on the environment in order to make responsible and sustainable decisions now and in the future.


Skills such as systemic thinking and collaborative decision-making make it possible to take social, economic, and cultural contexts into account simultaneously when making sustainable decisions.

What is the Whole School Approach (WSA for short)?

Based on the “Whole School Approach” (WSA), initiatives are launched to promote sustainable school and instructional development. The WSA aims to embed sustainability in all areas of school life and to actively involve the entire school community in decision-making and development processes.

The goal is to develop a forward-looking learning environment—"school"—that fosters interactive and participatory processes and raises awareness of a sustainability-oriented culture of teaching and learning.

How is an “ESD Future Landscape” defined?

A "Future Landscape" is a long-term, community-based partnership built on interconnectedness (shared goals, values, projects, etc.) and aimed at further developing shaping competencies in line with ESD.

What distinguishes schools in an “ESD Future Landscape”?

Schools in an ESD landscape of the future are considered innovative and forward-looking places of learning. Through interactive, participatory, and transformative processes, the following aspects are to be integrated into everyday school life:

  • ESD is implemented in the classroom and in other learning settings.

  • The concept of sustainability is reflected throughout the campus and in the buildings.

  • Networks are actively being established and expanded.

  • Collaborations with external partners are part of everyday school life.

  • ESD development processes are driven by professional development and the establishment of new organizational structures.

Which schools in Bochum make up an “ESD Landscape of the Future”?

Which municipalities are participating in the state program?

  • Bochum

  • Euskirchen

  • Beverungen

  • Solingen

  • Dortmund

Which educational partners support the program?

  • zdi.NRW (Future Through Innovation)

  • NUA (Nature and Environmental Protection Academy of North Rhine-Westphalia)

  • ESD Agency NRW

  • School of the Future