GreenVET pathway

A group of four teachers working together at a task.

Cross-School Sustainability Partnerships in VET

This best practice highlights how vocational schools can work together—across regions or countries—to exchange sustainability strategies, co-create solutions, and inspire innovation. Through collaboration, schools broaden perspectives, share resources, and strengthen the Whole Institution Approach by learning from each other’s experiences.

Key People and Partners Involved

• teachers
• schools
• other schools

Description of the practice

Cross-school collaboration in sustainability empowers vocational schools to overcome institutional silos and work collectively toward shared goals. These partnerships can take the form of joint projects, peer exchanges, staff training, or co-development of tools and teaching materials. Whether local or international, such collaborations provide exposure to different contexts, practices, and solutions that enrich each school’s sustainability journey.

Collaboration also reinforces the principles of the Whole Institution Approach by embedding sustainability not just within individual schools but across entire networks. When schools co-develop strategies—for example, on reducing waste in workshops, greening campuses, or integrating SDGs into curricula—they model systemic thinking and co-responsibility. Importantly, schools involved in such partnerships report increased buy-in from leadership and stronger staff motivation, as collective efforts reduce the burden on individual actors.

In cross-school settings, students also benefit through joint learning activities or exchange programs where they compare how sustainability is practiced elsewhere. This expands their awareness of sustainability in different vocational contexts—whether in agriculture, hospitality, health care, or construction—and builds skills such as teamwork, communication, and intercultural competence. The collaborative process strengthens a shared European or global identity around sustainability in VET.

Where it’s being implemented

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource.

• In Berlin, three vocational schools—specialising in social administration, gardening, and industrial mechanics—formed a collaborative network alongside Humboldt University and the NGO EPIZ. Known as the "Flagship Schools for Sustainability," this partnership was supported by the Senate Department for Education. Together, they embarked on design-based research projects to create vocation-specific, sustainable curricula and learning settings, exploring how sustainability competencies could be effectively embedded in diverse vocational pathways.
  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373368323_Vocational_Education_and_Training_for_Sustainable_Development_in_Berlin%27s_Flagship_Schools_A_Transformative_Design-Based_Research_Project"utm_sourc

Impact and Results

• Increased innovation through exchange of ideas and practices.
• Development of joint sustainability tools, curricula, or initiatives.

Implementation Tips and Insights

• Identify shared challenges with peers at other schools.
• Use digital tools to reduce barriers to regular communication and planning.
• Involve learners in planning and implementing collaborative activities.