Harnessing the potential of the Social Economy towards a green transformation through the establishment of Socially Driven Green Labs within Universities

The main reason for preparing the project was the perceived economic and social effects of the changes taking place, including climate change. this necessitates considering environmental and econo...

SDG Labs project introduced an innovative, transdisciplinary and future-oriented educational programme for Higher Eduaction Institutions (HEI) in se related study fields that aspires to bring real and measurable results on upscaling the role of se as central actor of the green transformation. The purpose of this was: - To utilise research findings and existing practices and develop new knowledge for innovative educational programmes that promote environmental awareness, stimulating green attitudes in the se sector. - To provide a holistic and flexible training programme improving the professional development of se academics through the application of innovative teaching practices. - Supporting the next generation of green social entrepreneurs who are currently se students (enhancing skills needed in the green business sector). - Developing teaching and learning resources that link sustainability issues in se curricula with current trends of change (e.g. green labour market requirements). - Connecting higher education, teachers, students and green see communities to collaborate, research and co-create knowledge and social innovations driving green solutions and green transformation.

To achieve the above mentioned objectives, the project brought together se stakeholders and target groups (univesity teachers, researchers, education designers, environmental scientists,students and green sees) and engaged them in codesign, cocreation, testing, piloting, validation, sharing and promotion activities. Students co-created and experimented on socially driven green business solutions with teachers and green sees by using business simulation models. In this way, they achieved a holistic understanding of real business decisions in the green se sector. They had the opportunity to participate in the sdg labs summer school that offered a hands-on and stimulating learning experience and supported them explore how se can be an actor of social transformations and green transition while gaining international experience, cross-cultural awareness and a holistic understanding of complex global issues. All teacher training activities complemented these activities to demonstrate the educational potential and impact of SDG Labs on students. All of that contributed to the development of future oriented curricula that empowered young learners to become social agents of change in the environmental transformation.

The SDG Labs educational programme led to the following main results: 1. Green skills in the field of SE Research Study - was the first comprehensive and transnational scientific attempt to define the current & future green skills shortages in sees. 2. Digital Gallery - provided an online depository with a wide range of educational materials supporting social, green entrepreneurial competence development. 3. Capacity Building Programme - provided to HE teachers an innovative and flexible training opportunity on how to integrate environmental-related issues into SE curricula; The MOOC was delivered to teachers’ wishing to explore how certain key SE business areas are currently leading the way towards green growth. 4. Business Simulation Models - offered a package of more than 20 interactive learning environments to design and experiment freely environmental simulation SE business models. 5. Students’ Upskilling Programme - offered a blended learning package incorporating both theoretical & practical elements of green skills literacy and environmental sustainability: set of pocket courses provided an online learning & the on-campus learning programme (summer school), tested the overall educational programme.