GATE is a three-year Erasmus+ Policy Experimentation project that aims to embed sustainability into the heart of secondary education across Europe. Through a whole-school approach and the development of innovative tools and training, GATE supports schools, educators, students and policymakers in driving the green transition in and through education.
The project officially began in March 2025, and the kick-off meeting took place in Lesbos, Greece, at the end of May 2025, hosted by the Directorate of Secondary Education of Lesbos – DDEL. During this first international gathering, all partners came together to define priorities, map out the first activities and strengthen their shared vision for a more sustainable and inclusive school system.
Who we are
GATE brings together a diverse consortium of eight partners from different European countries, including schools, NGOs, universities and education authorities. This cross-sectoral partnership reflects the project’s commitment to collaboration between research, practice and policy, ensuring that the solutions developed are grounded, realistic and impactful.
Together, the partners are co-designing tools that will help schools evaluate, improve and showcase their sustainability practices, while also offering targeted training for educators and decision-makers. Our strength lies in our diversity and shared ambition to foster greener, more resilient education systems across Europe.
What we aim for
The main objective of GATE is to promote education for sustainability by aligning school practices with the European GreenComp framework – the EU’s reference for sustainability competences. We aim to:
- Empower schools to self-evaluate their sustainability practices;
- Equip educators and school leaders with practical training and guidance;
- Recognise and reward schools through a Sustainability School Certification Model;
- Involve students as active participants in shaping sustainable learning environments;
- Support policy development with evidence-based recommendations.
Our goal is not only to change what students learn, but how schools operate as learning communities committed to the wellbeing of people and the planet.
What is the Whole-school approach?
At the core of GATE lies the whole-school approach – promoted by the EU and UNESCO – that sees sustainability not as a subject to be taught, but as a value to be integrated into every aspect of school life.
This includes curriculum, teaching methods, school management, infrastructure, community engagement and decision-making processes. A whole-school approach empowers the entire school community – students, teachers, staff, parents and local stakeholders – to work together in building a sustainable culture and climate of learning.
What is GreenComp?
GreenComp is the European Sustainability Competence Framework, published by the European Commission in 2022. It identifies 12 competences grouped under four areas: acting for sustainability, embracing complexity, envisioning sustainable futures and valuing sustainability.
GATE uses GreenComp as a reference to guide schools in embedding these competences into everyday teaching and school life, helping students become active, critical and responsible citizens ready to face the challenges of the 21st century.
What’s next?
In its first year, GATE will develop a School Self-Evaluation Framework and launch the training programme for teachers and policymakers. From 2026 onwards, the tools will be tested in pilot schools across six countries, leading to the development of a Sustainable School Certification Model and final policy recommendations by 2028. All tools and outputs will be freely available on the GATE website.
If you want to know more about GATE, stay tuned to this website and follow us on social media for updates, stories and opportunities to get involved!