Subject and goals of the project
The long-term goal of the School4City project was to contribute to the development of future generations of engaged, empowered and creative citizens who will take an active role in co-creating their cities and communities in Montenegro and beyond. Through awareness raising and capacity building, the understanding and application of a sustainable city concept should be improved among teachers and students in kindergartens and primary and secondary schools in Montenegro.
Innovation and exemplary nature of the project
Learning and recognizing what constitutes a sustainable city is part of education for sustainable development (Sustainable Development Goal 4). Especially in the Balkans, this is a completely new approach.
"Education for sustainable cities" is a multidisciplinary field that carries very great creative and innovative potential. It is not just about simple knowledge acquisition – the approach should motivate actions that lead to more sustainable societies. Children who gain a basic understanding of sustainable urban development will be empowered to act more responsibly and to help shape their urban and rural areas as active citizens in the future.
In 2005, the "Sustainable City" was introduced as a cross-curricular subject in the Montenegrin education system – this was considered an innovative step. At the same time, the elective subject "Valuing Space" was introduced. The School4city project, which was based on this, actively and vividly implemented the requirements of this subject.
In German schools, "urban sustainability" is in part already integrated into the curricula, which makes it an inspiring practice for Montenegrin activities in education for sustainable cities.
Special aspects of the project
The contribution to institutional sustainability was one of the most important features of the School4City project. The cross-curricular approach of the "Sustainable City" was officially recognized as part of Education for Sustainable Development in Montenegro. Thus, the project activities directly contributed to the goals of the official education system.
One of the greatest added values was that teachers and students in the project were able to discover and learn about "urban sustainability" not only in theory, but also through practical activities. By working on school gardens, redesigning their own schoolyards and recreational spaces, and other hands-on activities, they were able to learn that everyone's contribution to this issue is essential. By participating in project activities, participants also developed a sense of ownership of the project.
Another great added value was that students and teachers joined a global movement for urban sustainability through project activities. This further linked the approach and practice of sustainable schools in Germany and Montenegro. Children can thus be taught about a sustainable value system.
Last but not least, the interdisciplinary approach was essential for the School4city project. Today, the students do not learn about the requirements of sustainable urban development through a separate subject, but work on this topic – as a further development in the Montenegrin education system – with the help of other school subjects (for example, mathematics, geography, art, etc.).
Funding subject: Tools and competencies for sustainability analysis, increasing sustainability awareness and promoting action
Cooperation partners:
Associated partners:
Location: Montenegro
Funding period: October 2015 to April 2019, Download final report
Project costs: Total volume: 198 129 Euro, DBU funding: 95 082 Euro
DBU-AZ: 32972
Note: Translation of the German version with DeepL
Last updated: 09.11.2021
