GreenVET pathway

VET Green Week: Engaging Communities for a Sustainable Future

VET Green Week is all about getting students, teachers, and local partners out of the classroom and into action. For one full week, vocational schools lead real sustainability projects that matter—from setting up solar panels and running eco-business challenges to organizing clean-up days and climate awareness events. It’s a chance for learners to roll up their sleeves, use their skills in real-life situations, and show how VET can make a real difference in the community. It’s practical, it’s local, and it brings climate action to life.

Key People and Partners Involved

School management and teaching staff
Students
Local community members and organizations

Description of the practice

VET Green Week is all about turning skills into real impact. For one week, vocational schools take the lead in local sustainability projects—whether that’s setting up green tech demos, launching waste-reduction drives, fixing water leaks, or checking energy use in buildings. Students get to step outside the classroom and take on real environmental challenges in their neighborhoods, learning by doing and seeing how their work makes a difference.

By getting involved in real projects, students, teachers, and local partners—like businesses, councils, and residents—team up to solve problems together. It’s a great way for learners to build not just technical know-how, but also teamwork, creative thinking, and leadership skills. It also shows how vocational education connects directly with everyday life and the future of our communities.

More than just a school activity, VET Green Week shows what VET is really capable of. It turns schools into places of local change and gives students the chance to be part of something bigger—shaping a more sustainable, resilient future while building their own confidence and skills along the way.

Where it’s being implemented

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At BS Mindelheim in Germany, students are helping bring a disused railway line back to life. The project could improve access to the school and boost mobility for the entire region. As part of the effort, students from the agriculture and forestry departments are clearing trees and overgrowth from the 100-year-old tracks. It’s a great example of how vocational education can support real-world community projects. Check out this TV feature on the initiative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch"v=2QRDcWX8jhc

Impact and Results

Real-world learning: Students gain practical experience by applying their skills to solve real environmental problems in their communities.
Stronger community ties: VET schools build closer connections with local businesses, authorities, and residents through joint sustainability projects.
Boosted student confidence: Learners develop a sense of purpose and pride by seeing the tangible impact of their work.
Positive school image: VET institutions are seen as active changemakers in the green transition, increasing their visibility and relevance.
Local climate action: Communities benefit directly from small-scale green initiatives, from cleaner spaces to better resource efficiency.

Implementation Tips and Insights

Start small with a pilot involving a few classes or departments, focusing on simple, visible projects like a school garden or recycling drive. Use these early successes to build momentum and expand the initiative over time.
Involve the community from the beginning by engaging local stakeholders like businesses, NGOs, and municipal authorities in planning and supporting activities. Their involvement adds real-world value, creates lasting partnerships, and makes projects more relevant and impactful.
Make sure each project connects directly to the curriculum and helps students build relevant skills—for example, carpentry students can build compost bins, electrical students install solar panels, and hospitality students run zero-waste events. This way, learning becomes more purposeful and hands-on.
Empower students to take the lead by involving them in planning, problem-solving, and key roles"boosting ownership, motivation, and soft skills.
Communicate and celebrate by sharing progress publicly and recognizing achievements"this keeps motivation high and highlights VET"s impact.