OUT OF THE BOX – Sustainability education in Finland, September 2026

🌎 Interested in transforming your teaching into something more sustainable – for yourself, your target audience, and the planet?

🌲 Dreaming of taking your teaching into new environments – perhaps outdoors?

🔨 Looking for pedagogical tools and hands-on activities?

💡 Hoping to gain more motivation and confidence to address sustainability issues – both in your teaching and in collaboration with colleagues and other adults?

OUT OF THE BOX – Sustainability education in Finland course focuses on sustainability education and showcases various methods and focus areas related to green competences and a sustainable society. The course includes introductions to theoretical approaches, methodological activities, and field trips to various locations. Throughout the week, we support you in developing your professional identity and provide a wide range of methods, tools, and ideas for your teaching. This course has received excellent feedback from teachers working across all levels of education.

When?
The 7-day course begins on Monday, September 14th, and ends on Sunday, September 20th, 2026.

Where?
In Helsinki, Finland, and nearby environments.  

Target group:  
The course is applicable for all teachers working in basic, secondary, vocational and adult education. The methods introduced during the course can be applied to many different age and target groups. We also welcome all professionals in the field interested in the course topics.

Topics

• European Competence Framework for Sustainability GreenComp
• Principles of environmental education
• Principles of outdoor learning
• Diverse learning environments
• Circular economy
• Futures literacy

During this course, you will...

• Improve your understanding of key sustainability competences with the European sustainability competence framework, GreenComp.
• Try out various inspiring methods you can apply directly in your own teaching.
• Gain practical tools for sustainability education.
• Get inspired to use diverse learning environments in your teaching.
• Expand your professional friendship network and learn from other teachers from all over Europe.

Daily program

1st day: Introduction to sustainability education in Finland, group building activities and learning about the European Green Competences framework
2nd day: Outdoor education & nature's well-being impacts in support of learning (this is an excursion day to a national park or protected area)
3rd day: Learning methods to teach circular economy, and how to motivate your colleagues to sustainability work
4th day: Real world learning and excursion to a school depending on the needs of the participants (daycare centre, school, vocational school)
5th day: Futures literacy skills, pedagogical methods and planning for how to advance sustainability at your own workplace
6th and 7th day: Self-paced excursion with guided materials to Heureka Science Centre, the Finnish Museum of Natural History and Suomenlinna UNESCO World Heritage Site

The daily program may be subject to changes, e.g. according to when the excursion places are able to host us.

Training Institution

SYKLI Environmental College is a national specialist vocational college. We train professionals in different sectors to take concrete steps towards sustainability. Our aim is to build green competencies and increase the quality of sustainability education at all levels of the education system and throughout society. In Finland, SYKLI is known as a pioneer in environmental and sustainability education. SYKLI is the only institution in Finland offering a one-year-long study program in Environmental Education for teachers and other education professionals, as well as programs in Circular Economy, Water Management, Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development. 

OID: E10001261  
SYKLI Environmental College PIC: 866835360

More information:

Terhi Liettilä, SYKLI Environmental College
Phone: +358 46 922 7696
e-mail: terhi.liettila@sykli.fi

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.