Ireland’s push to embed sustainability in everyday learning has received a major boost, with gov.ie confirming new support for schools-focused initiatives nationwide. The latest Education for Sustainable Development funding package will channel more than €624,000 into projects designed to help students and teachers engage with climate action, biodiversity, community participation and responsible citizenship.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton announced that €624,523 has been awarded to 27 organisations for 2026-2027 under the Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, known as ESD to 2030. The funding will back a mix of classroom resources, teacher training, student-led initiatives and practical local projects in primary and post-primary schools across Ireland.
gov.ie confirms major Education for Sustainable Development funding
The gov.ie announcement highlights grants ranging from €6,325 to €25,000. The aim is to strengthen how sustainability is taught across the education system, while aligning policy goals across Education, Climate Action, Further and Higher Education, and Children/Disability/Equality.
According to the Department of Education and Youth, the funded work will support:
- New ESD teaching and learning resources
- Professional development opportunities for teachers
- Student participation in sustainability action
- School and community-based environmental projects
- Broader awareness of social, economic and environmental sustainability
This latest round builds on previous investment. In 2025, 21 organisations received €465,962, supporting direct engagement with 97 schools, 2,525 teachers and more than 309,000 students.
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What the ESD to 2030 strategy means for Irish schools
The ESD to 2030 framework is part of a wider national effort linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4.7. It is co-sponsored by departments covering Education, Further and Higher Education, and Children/Disability/Equality, reflecting a whole-of-government approach that also connects with Local Government and Heritage, Health, Social Protection, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Public Expenditure priorities.
The strategy is structured around five priority areas:
- Aligning Policy
- Transforming Learning Environments
- Building Capacity of Educators
- Empowering and Mobilising Youth
- Accelerating Local Level Action
In practical terms, that means helping schools move beyond theory. Students are encouraged to take part in hands-on sustainability work, while teachers gain access to better tools, training and support.
Examples of funded projects
Among the initiatives receiving support are:
- Nature Explorer for Schools
- Picker Pals
- Heritage Keepers
- WiseWater
- Wool in Schools
- Grow It Yourself
- Rubbish Film Festival
- Debate Your Decision Makers
These programmes cover biodiversity, water literacy, waste reduction, food growing, inclusion, design thinking and youth voice. Several also include workshops, field trips, summer courses and community collaboration.
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Why this gov.ie funding matters in 2026
The gov.ie funding matters because it supports both immediate classroom needs and longer-term national goals. ESD to 2030 also complements Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, the EU Green Deal and wider public policy agendas. For schools, it can mean better resources, stronger teacher confidence and more meaningful student participation in local problem-solving.
Another important development is that a separate ESD funding call for schools is expected in September 2026, with up to €2,500 available per school. That follows nearly €860,000 awarded to 390 schools in 2025.
In short, the latest gov.ie announcement shows that Education for Sustainable Development is becoming a central part of how Ireland prepares young people for the future. With support from government and partner organisations, schools are being given more tools to turn sustainability from a policy goal into lived learning. Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
