On August 28, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German UNESCO Commission presented the “National Award – Education for Sustainable Development.” Dr. Andrea Ruyter-Petznek, Head of the Department of Education in Regions, Education for Sustainable Development at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and Dr. Roman Luckscheiter, Secretary-General of the German UNESCO Commission, honored 41 initiatives for their outstanding commitment. The award-winning initiatives impressed with their innovative educational approaches that empower people to actively shape a sustainable and responsible future. Our project “Children in the Climate Crisis” convinced the jury with its strong commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the United Nations Global Sustainability Goals.
Background
The “National Award – Education for Sustainable Development” honors organizations, networks, and municipalities that are committed to creating a livable, sustainable society within the framework of the UNESCO ESD 2030 program. Sustainable development means ensuring human dignity and equal opportunities for all within an intact environment. Education plays a key role: it empowers people to make informed decisions and to better understand and assess the consequences of their actions on future generations and other regions of the world. The United Nations' Agenda 2030 enshrines the implementation of education for sustainable development as a global goal.