Naturally Sustainable


Naturally sustainable: integration of sustainability impacts into teaching, learning and student and personnel engagement systems in vocational education and training institutions


Project name: “Naturally sustainable: integration of sustainability impacts into teaching, learning and student and personnel engagement systems in vocational education and training institutions”

Project acronym: Naturally Sustainable

European Programme Erasmus+ 2014 -2020 Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and exchange of best practices Strategic partnership project

Project Reference: 2021-1-LV01-KA220-VET-000025436

Partner countries: France, Germany, Latvia, Ireland, Belgium, Italy and Finland.

RISEBA role: leading partner

Funding: EUR 352 275

Length: 01.11.2021. – 30.10.2024. (3 years)



Project goal is to create platform for those interested in education and gamification of training, learning and engagement in Sustainability Action. Platform provides the whole world of games, simulations, events, workshop series, books, movies, cases and mobile application to use in systemized and structured way.

Project partners:

Naturally Sustainable flayer

For more information about the project please visit official project home page:

Naturally Sustainable

Project leader: Anna Kronberga, +371 28390068, [email protected]


Naturally Sustainable Newsletter nr.6 available here:

Newsletter nr.6 (LV)

Naturally Sustainable project partners were welcomed by CFP Zanardelli on April 4 and 5 in Brescia, Italy for the last TM4 before the final conference in Riga in September 2024.

To follow the project and get up-to-date news, click on the links below:

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Youtube Videos are uploaded in all languages illustrating this Project to share and promote information and sustainable activities for staff and trainees of training institutions.

The objectives of this meeting were:

  • Progress report
  • Dropbox Workshop
  • Feedback from Partners on the TEST Phase & Focus Groups that finished on March 31st of 2024
  •  Final Equality Analysis Evaluation Interviews with IQAE Coordinator & with External Evaluator for EQAE 
  • Completion of FINAL VERSION of each output: 
  • Work in sub-groups to make any fine-tuning to the Content & Formatting to the TEST versions
  • Verification of YouTube Channel Videos & Descriptions
  • Preparation of Easy Download Links for all outputs 
  • Post Test Phase Satisfaction Questionnaires & Letters of Intent to use the Outputs by each partner organisation
  • Project Management Individual Partner Meetings
  • Validation of Sustainability, Exploitation & Utilisation strategies 
  • Preparation of the End of Project Conferences & the Latvian Conference 
  • Preparation of TM5 in Riga 
  • Agreement of Work Objectives & deadlines for work to be completed before TM5

The aim of the project is to make the research and overview on the good practices within European VET schools, prepare the guidelines on innovative teaching methods and staff and students’ systemic engagement activities and platform for the experience sharing and contribute to the environment and climate change activities in European Union and beyond.


The objectives of the project are:

  • To motivate and empower people via new training and engagement opportunities in the field of Sustainability.
  • To provide innovative solutions , teaching methods, research and practice to target groups, staff, teachers and learners of Vocational and Adults Education;
  • To excel and expand the knowledge on the good practices to eductational institutions and key players in the sustainability issues and activities in Europe;

The operational objectives of the project are:

  • To produce a comparative study on the activities related to these sustainability issues, in each country/region;
  • To create a collections of workshops presenting different approaches to the sustainability training and engagement activities of each country;
  • To develop a trainer’s guide including a collection of recommendations and best practises for the promotion of sustainability issues via training and engagement activities to empower youth;
  • To create an online learning platform with on-line learning resources;
  • To provide training opportunities for VET staff and learners The target groups of the project are: – Staff and students of VET and adult education, organisations active in the field of sustainability projects, organisations active in the field of youth education and training, representatives in the field of social affairs, local, regional and national public authorities and policy makers; – Final beneficiaries.

  • Aim Activities and results to reduce social-ecological impact of educational establishments and widen and deepen their impact on societal development;
  • Experience exchange, online or mobility, surveys and interviews, based on sustainability indexes;
  • To prepare students as leaders for tomorrow and increase engagement, working for greener and sustainable future;
  • To reflect with students and personnel on how we can develop your activities to become more impactful
  • To create guidelines, innovative teaching and engagement methods and tools;
  • To share insightful stories on social media to add to the overview of activities and challenges about successful projects, effective strategies, and learnings from failed attempts to inspire others to develop in the areas mentioned above to ensure communication, webpage, posts and articles published, to create IT platform.

Quantitative results:

  • Education programme and guideline produced -1;
  • On-line learning platform developed – 1;
  • number of transnational project meetings – 4 ;
  • number of staff training – 1;
  • number of educators participating in the trainings – at least 20;
  • number of local dissemination events – 7;
  • number of participants of the local dissemination events – 200 persons;
  • number of persons visiting the on-line learning platform, at least 300 persons by the end of the project;
  • enhanced cooperation between organisations in the adult education – at least 8 organisations.

Qualitative results:

For the VET educators:
  • expansion of knowledge and skills in the sustainability issues;
  • expansion of knowledge and skills in involving and empowering target groups;
  • wider use of innovative methods and new approaches to the promotion of sustainability in action ;
  • increased competence in foreign languages;
  • greater understanding and responsiveness to social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity
  • improved competences, linked to their professional profiles;
  • increased opportunities for professional development;
  • increased capacity to trigger changes in terms of modernisation and internationalisation;
  • increased motivation and satisfaction in their daily work by using new, efficient methods and approaches.

For target groups (students, staff, teachers and stakeholders involved):
  • increased accessibility of trainings and engagement activities in sustainability field;
  • enhanced opportunities to explore European best practice in sustainability in action;
  • motivation and empowerment via the extended research, experience exchange and guided instructions on teaching and engagement materials;
  • raise the quality of living of target groups.

For the partner organisations:
  • strengthening of partnerships; -joint activities in sustainability in action, reporting, impact assessment, involvement of stakeholders;
  • intercultural cooperation;
  • Cooperation between NG), SME and Educational Institutions – synergy of knowledge, approaches, evaluation practices and involvement practices.

On July 5, 2023 RISEBA University of Applied Sciences hosted a transnational meeting in Riga as part of the Naturally Sustainable project. Together with partner teams from 7 European countries, RISEBA implements Naturally Sustainable project.

The Naturally Sustainable project aims to carry out research and reporting of good practices in the sustainability field in European (PIA) schools, to develop guidelines on innovative learning methods, activities for the systematic involvement of staff and students, and to create a platform for sharing experience and contributing overall to environmental and climate change measures within and outside the EU.

Educational institutions are undeniably considered to be one of the most influential elements in the implementation of sustainability and sustainable development concepts in society, and their decisions have an impact on the economic, social and environmental dimensions of communities and their regions.

Project goal is:

  • Empowering and motivating people through new training and engagement opportunities on sustainability.
  • To provide innovative solutions, teaching methods, research and practice for the target groups, staff, teachers and learners of vocational and adult education;
  • Highlight and expand knowledge on good practices, activities and key actors on sustainability issues in European educational institutions;

The operational objectives of the project are:

  • Drawing up a comparative study on activities related to these sustainability issues in each country/region;
  • Set up a set of seminars presenting different approaches and activities on sustainability training and involvement in each country;
  • To raise awareness of sustainability issues, develop a guide for the training and engagement of young people, including recommendations and best practices;
  • Establishing an online learning platform with online learning resources;
  • Provide training opportunities for (PIA) staff and learners.

Project target audiance is:

PIA schools, adult education workers and students; organisations active in the field of sustainability projects; organisations active in the field of youth education and training; social affairs representatives in local, regional and national institutions; and policy makers; final beneficiaries.

07.07.2023

Helsinki, Finland – In a collaborative effort to promote sustainability and innovation, Naturally Sustainable project partners recently convened a hybrid staff training meeting in the picturesque city of Helsinki, Finland. The event, graciously hosted by our esteemed Finnish partner, marked a significant milestone in the development of Naturally Sustainable tools by the dedicated team.

Objectives and Focus Areas

The comprehensive meeting agenda covered various aspects essential for the successful implementation of the Naturally Sustainable project. Attendees delved into critical topics to enhance their skills and understanding, including:

  1. Project Management: Strategizing and refining the overall project approach for maximum efficiency.
  2. Administrative Procedures: Streamlining administrative processes to ensure seamless workflow.
  3. Financial Management: Discussing financial aspects to optimize resource allocation and project sustainability.
  4. Project Timetable: Establishing a well-defined project timetable for efficient task execution.
  5. Project Materials: Evaluating and selecting materials with a focus on sustainability and environmental impact.
  6. Partner Responsibilities & Work Done: Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and progress updates from each collaborating partner.
  7. Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating potential risks to ensure project success.
  8. Quality Management Evaluation (QMEP): Presenting and reaching an agreement on the quality management framework.
  9. Dissemination Strategies: Discussing and agreeing upon methods to disseminate project outcomes effectively.
  10. Website & Communication Tools – Social Media: Finalizing strategies for utilizing online platforms to enhance project visibility.
  11. Naturally Sustainable Outputs (1-4):
    • Partners’ Reports on Progress
    • Planning for the Third Year of the Project
  12. Dates for Transnational Meetings: Securing agreement on the schedule for future collaborative sessions.
  13. Work Objectives & Deadlines: Establishing clear work objectives and deadlines for tasks preceding the next meeting.

Expressing Gratitude

RISEBA University of Applied Sciences extends heartfelt gratitude to our Finnish partners for their warm hospitality and for facilitating a conducive environment for meaningful discussions and collaborations.

The success of the training meeting sets the stage for continued progress in developing Naturally Sustainable tools. As the team aligns its efforts towards a greener and more sustainable future, the outcomes of this meeting promise a positive impact on both local and global scales.

01.11.2023

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