GreenGenerations: tackling climate change through intergenerational learning

We applied for this project to respond to the urgent need to integrate climate education into schools using innovative and inclusive approaches. The idea emerged from our field experience: teachers, families, and students expressed a growing desire to better understand the causes and consequences of climate change and to act. However, the tools available were often fragmented, theoretical, or not adapted to diverse learners. We chose an intergenerational approach to strengthen the link between school and community and promote civic and environmental engagement across all ages. Our objective was to support educators with practical resources and create a space where children and adults can share knowledge, ideas, and actions to face the climate emergency together. GreenGenerations aimed to bridge the gap between generations and build new learning ecosystems rooted in cooperation, optimism, and sustainability.

Our aim was to create a meaningful and structured educational programme that strengthens climate change awareness and action through intergenerational collaboration. We wanted to equip teachers with innovative tools and methodologies, while engaging students and older generations in co-designed learning experiences that promote environmental responsibility. The project also sought to challenge the often-divisive narrative between generations—especially around climate issues—by fostering mutual understanding and empathy. Through practical activities, we encouraged the development of alterity, helping learners see others as valuable allies in building a sustainable future. Beyond schools, we hoped to impact our own organisations by strengthening our internal expertise in participatory, inclusive, and future-oriented education. The project also intended to position partners as key contributors in the European conversation on climate education, promoting integration of intergenerational approaches in formal and non-formal learning systems.

The project was structured around five interdependent work packages. First, we conducted a comprehensive needs assessment (WP2), combining desk research, interviews and surveys across five countries. Based on these findings, we co-constructed a teacher’s guide on intergenerational climate education. This guide served as the foundation for the LTTA training event (WP2) held in Paris, where educators tested and enriched the proposed methodologies. Feedback from the LTTA informed the final adjustments and translation of the guide. In WP3, we developed a complete pedagogical curriculum with classroom activities and theoretical resources. Teachers then tested the curriculum through national pilot sessions. We also created the GreenGenerations Platform (WP4), an interactive space providing resources and fostering collaboration. Finally, dissemination activities (WP5) included multiplier events, a final conference in Paris, and a scientific publication. All partners contributed to a participatory and transnational implementation process.

The project delivered several key achievements. A core outcome is the GreenGenerations Curriculum, offering educators a structured approach to intergenerational climate change education, supported by tested activities and theoretical frameworks. We also produced a Teacher’s Guide to help teachers implement this approach in classrooms, co-developed and revised through national pilots and an international LTTA. Another major result is the GreenGenerations Platform, an open, interactive tool accessible to students, educators, and communities, encouraging sustainable practices through practical tips and shared experiences. The project generated a scientific publication and was widely disseminated through events and social media, reaching educators, policymakers, and families across Europe. Internally, partners strengthened their own skills, networks, and practices. Beyond outputs, the project helped build a shared language across generations around climate action and created a foundation for lasting change.