GSD - Generators for Sustainable Development

Sustainability is the key concept to combat climate change whilst creating and securing social and economic welfare. The United Nations, through the formulation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), has established a framework that transforms the somewhat abstract notion of sustainability into a structured system with actionable objectives and targets. From an educational standpoint, sustainability emerges as a fundamental competency. Drawing upon the Council Recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning (2006/2018), one can assert that it is imperative for every European citizen to attain a level of proficiency in sustainability. In this context, we employ the term "sustainability literacy" to denote the general competence of individuals in the realm of sustainability. Conversely, the term "Sustainable Development" is applied to community initiatives addressing specific mitigation or adaptation measures at the local level. For ease of reference, both terms will be abbreviated as SL (Sustainability Literacy) and SD (Sustainable Development). The Adult Education sector assumes a critical role in addressing both dimensions of sustainability learning, encompassing the individual (SL) and the community (SD) levels.

The primary objective of the GSD (Generators for Sustainable Development) project is twofold. Firstly, it aims to cultivate awareness and empower adult learners to alter their behaviours, fostering an active engagement with sustainability (SL). The second overarching goal was to instigate Sustainable Development (SD) projects at the local community level. These projects may encompass initiatives such as implementing environmentally friendly projects, addressing specific community issues, or supporting vulnerable members of the community. Given the inherent potential of Adult Educators to become catalysts for Sustainable Development, they constitute the project's first target group. This involves positioning these "Learning and Development Professionals" as advocates for SL&SD, fostering their engagement through appealing and high-quality learning offerings. The second target group comprises their learners, who may include individuals in General Adult Education, community members seeking collaborative innovation.

The GSD project involved six partners collaborating across 4 work packages: 1. Setting up the GSD-Inventory: o Collecting good practice examples of "Sustainability projects" for adult learners (and their facilitators) o Showcasing real-life spaces in an exhibition format o Exhibition components include narrative stories, technical descriptions, videocasts, and video interviews with founders, professionals, and beneficiaries 2. Planning and Developing the GSD CPD: o Collecting different SD project examples in different contexts o Developing competence frameworks for learners and facilitators o Developing and adapting informal learning design and assessment patterns 3. Planning and Delivering the GSD Training and CPD Programme: o Implementing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for AE professionals o Offering a qualification programme for becoming "Generators of Sustainable Development" in blended learning modality o Involving 22 educators, firstly in collaborative virtual online sessions, followed by 4 days face-to-face training, transferred in individual SD learning pilot projects and accomplished with competence validation. 4. Creating the GSD Virtual Learning and Development Space: o Developing a virtual space based on interlinked digital services o Integrating new project matching and funding platforms o Establishing a help desk and providing asynchronous (FAQ, chat, and forum functionality) and synchronous counseling and exchange sessions, FAQ derived from the sessions. The GSD project has been widely disseminated through online channels to European networks and local meetings within partner networks, NGOs and self-help organisations. Internal and external evaluations ensured the effectiveness of the project.

R1: The GSD Inventory is an exhibition of Sustainability Literary & Sustainable Development (SL&SD) projects. Projects are categorised based on the UN SDGs for easy access. The projects are being described along a standard pattern (factsheet) and presented using videos and other multimedia formats. R2: The GSD Planning Pack The GSD Planning Pack provides the educational concept and resources to support and later train adult educators to create and facilitate their SL&SD learning offers in a large variety of adult education contexts. The planning pack contains: • Context Analysis patterns and examples • Competence Frameworks for 29 competences • The GSD Planning Tool • Informal Learning Patterns for different contexts • A toolbox with appropriate Assessment methods R3: The GSD Continuing Professional Development Programme is a blended learning qualification which includes preliminary online learning phases (synchronous&asynchronous), a F2F course, a pilot phase and a competence validation. 16 pilot projects were developed in the first GSD CPD in 2023, a KA1 course is planned for 2024. R4: The GSD Support Hub is a comprehensive platform system designed to support individuals, communities, trainers and facilitators and educators to develop and create SL&SD projects in their own context. The support hub includes: • An online learning space, • A virtual Market place to match SD projects with GSD experts and funding opportunities for grassroot projects and AE professionals and a • GSD KA1 Mobility courses.