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 involved in the project are supported by qualified process facilitators in their individual ESD school and lesson development. In the spirit of the "Whole School Approach"approach, the participating schools should continue to develop as places of learning that live the concept of sustainability as an entire institution and understand ESD not only as a cross-cutting topic in the classroom. The learning spaces of the future landscape involve the entire school community in decision-making processes and cooperate with external partners and the municipal administration, among others.

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

The Regional Education Office Bochum is responsible for municipal coordination and initiates future-oriented school development processes. Stakeholders, such as foundations or school social work, are involved in the school and teaching development processes.

The project is strategically designed to achieve change through bottom-up process development and, in particular, to incorporate student input into the change 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 stands for a holistic educational concept that involves all people in a school community (pupils, parents, teachers, etc.) and enables them to think and act in a future-oriented and sustainable way in everyday school life.

Why is ESD important?

ESD promotes an understanding of global challenges such as climate change, poverty and social injustice and supports the development of sustainable solutions. All people are involved in responsibly shaping a future-oriented and sustainable living environment.

What skills does ESD teach?

ESD teaches future-oriented design skills that enable students to take responsibility for a sustainable way of life. This involves both training and practicing the ability to understand the effects of one's own actions on the environment in order to be able to make responsible and sustainable decisions in the present and future.


Skills such as systemic thinking and collaborative decision-making enable the simultaneous consideration of social, economic and cultural contexts when making sustainable decisions.

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

Based on the "Whole School Approach", impulses are provided for sustainable school and teaching development. WSA aims to embed sustainability in all areas of school life and actively involve the entire school community in decisions and development processes.

The aim is to develop a future-oriented learning space "school" that initiates interactive and participatory processes and raises awareness for a sustainability-oriented teaching and learning culture.

How is an "ESD future landscape" defined?

A future landscape is a long-term community of responsibility that is based on networking (common goals, values, projects, etc.) and aims to further develop design skills in the sense of ESD.

What characterizes schools in an "ESD landscape of the future"?

Schools in an ESD future landscape are regarded as innovative and future-oriented places of learning. Through interactive, participative 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 on the campus and in the buildings.

  • Networks are actively established and further developed.

  • Cooperation with external stakeholders is part of everyday school life.

  • ESD development processes are driven forward through further training and the establishment of new organizational structures.

Which Bochum schools form an "ESD future landscape"?

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 NRW)

  • ESD Agency NRW

  • School of the future