Future-Ready Education — Finnish Perspectives on Sustainability, AI and Student Engagement 

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM 

Certificate: 

Participants who complete the programme will receive a Nordic Sustainable Business Academy Professional Certificate issued by SYKLI Environmental College, Business College Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. 

Location: 

Helsinki, Finland. 

Overview 

Experience a unique, practice-oriented learning journey that gives educators fresh perspectives on sustainability, AI, student engagement and the internationally recognised Finnish approach to education — with memorable experiences in the world’s happiest country. 

The learning journey combines green competencies, digital tools, Finnish pedagogy, wellbeing and experiential learning in nature. 

What you gain?

Participants gain insights into the Finnish education system, concrete ideas for implementing green pedagogy, understanding of how to support wellbeing and work-life balance, an international professional network and first-hand experiences in Finnish nature. 

Practical details 

 📍 Location: Helsinki, Finland. 

🗓️ Duration: 5-day programme + online pre-meeting and follow-up after the course 

💶 Price: EUR 890 + 25.5% VAT per person 

Who is this course for? 

This course is designed for teachers from various fields whether working with young or adult learners, teacher educators and pedagogical developers working in basic education and related educational contexts. It is especially suitable for education professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of Finnish education systems and explore new ways of incorporating sustainability and digitalization in their teaching. 

The course is relevant for participants interested in environmental and sustainability education.

Learning outcomes 

During this course, you will deepen your understanding of green competencies and learn how to apply them in your own teaching practice, drawing on global sustainability competence framework. You will learn how to integrate future-oriented approaches into teaching, explain what green pedagogy looks like in practice and use a sustainability education plan template to support development in your own institution. 

You will also explore how to use AI tools for curriculum and course work in an ethical manner. The programme provides inspiration from the structure and principles of the Finnish education system, including innovative pedagogy and wellbeing at school. 

The course will also inspire you to use nature as a source of hope, work-life balance and healthy organisational culture. We explore ways to apply experiential and embodied approaches in your own educational work.  

Learning journey 

The programme is built around four connected themes: 

• Green Competencies — environmental education and outdoor teaching, green skills and competencies for sustainability, sustainability education planning in practice, assessment of green skills, and future-oriented approaches in teaching. 

• Digitalization & AI in Teaching — what teachers need to know about AI, applying digitalisation to teaching, generative AI in practice, ethical considerations and new working methods.  

• Finnish Education System — wellbeing at school, groundbreaking Finnish pedagogy, work-based learning and company cooperation, special education and learner support.  

• World’s Happiest Nation — a learning session on the benefits of nature for human wellbeing, including a guided day in Nuuksio National Park with meditation, creativity and relaxation exercises in the forest, and reflection on the Finnish way of life, work-life balance, social trust and healthy organisational culture. 

Preliminary programme 

Nuuksio learning day — morning focus on sustainability education, environmental education and outdoor teaching, followed by an afternoon wellbeing session exploring the health benefits of nature through guided exercises, meditation, creativity and relaxation. 

Workshop: Green skills and sustainability competences — practical workshop on applying green skills and sustainability competences in teaching and learning. 

Finding agency for a sustainable future — session on putting a sustainability education plan into practice and assessing green skills in educational contexts. 

Futures literacy workshop — future-oriented approaches in teaching, which can also be integrated into the green competencies workshop. 

Course methodology 

The course combines lectures, practical workshops, study visits, a digital learning diary and a final exercise. Participants will receive digital course materials to support their learning throughout the course. 

Registration 

Registration is open continuously and closes approximately one week before the beginning of each course. 

After registration, you will receive more information about the course and guidance on planning your trip to Finland. You will also receive an invoice according to the information provided in the registration form. 

The course will be confirmed one month before the start date. 

Please do not purchase travel tickets before you have received confirmation. 

Upcoming course dates 

8.2.-12.2.2027 

Request for tailored programs at your convenience by contacting:

Nina Mäkipää
nina.makipaa@sykli.fi or

Hilla Helasaari
hilla.helasaari@bc.fi