Projects for sustainability

Bringing sustainability to life

Our projects

As a specialist association for sustainability, we are actively committed to a sustainable future.

To this end, we develop projects that counteract inequalities for nature and people and strengthen social cohesion.

International projects

Combating desertification

Feasibility study

Project title
CODE Hemp – Combat Desertification through Hemp

Project partner

Subject
Feasibility study for semi-arid areas and the dry savannah.

Industrial hemp has a number of remarkable properties that make it an effective tool in the fight against desertification.

By utilising nature’s ingenious mechanisms, the cultivation of industrial hemp offers a versatile approach to restoring ecological balance and combating the encroachment of desert landscapes.

The feasibility study is the basis for the implementation of a pilot project and a subsequent demonstrator project in northern Ghana on the edge of the Sahel zone.

Funding
Own funds from the project partners

Status
in realisation

EU projects

GREEN-Credentials

Project within the framework of Erasmus+ Vocational Education

Project title
GREEN-Credentials

Project partner

  • Aintek Symvouloi Epicheiriseon Efarmoges Ypsilis Technologias Ekpaidefsi AE | Greece
  • Basque International Research Association
  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. | Germany
  • Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg | Germany
  • Centro San Viator | Spain
  • Escola Técnica Profissional da Moita / ORSIFOR – Centro Formação Profissional da Moita S.A. | Portugal
  • Etudes et Chantiers Bretagne et Pays de la Loire | France
  • Fondazione CNOS-FAP ETS impresa sociale | Italy
  • Mentortec Servicos de Apoio a Projectos Tecnologicos SA | Portugal
  • Scholes Delta Voreiou Ellados AE | Greece

Subject
The Erasmus+ project “Green Credentials” aims to develop a digital platform for vocational education and training (VET), focusing on sustainability, agriculture, and forest management. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and gamification, the project seeks to support students from migrant and socially vulnerable backgrounds in acquiring recognized micro-credentials. By combining technology, gamification, and sustainability, “Green Credentials” aims to create innovative and inclusive learning pathways for future professionals in the green sector.

Funding
400.000 EUR total funding from the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union

Status
in realisation (01 Sep. 2024 to 31 Aug. 2027)

PREP-CIRC

Project within the framework of Erasmus+ Vocational Education

Project title
PREP-CIRC – Preparing for Resilient VET Skills – Bridging Past and Future for Circular Economy

Project partner

  • Associação Academia MIAMAS | Portugal
  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. | Germany
  • Carls Zukunft GmbH | Germany
  • Fundação Cidade de Ammaia | Portugal

Subject
The project aims to integrate Circular Economy into vocational education and establish a sustainable educational ecosystem that could eventually lead to the creation of a European Circular Economy Institute. To achieve this, three key measures are being implemented: a needs assessment to identify requirements and challenges for integrating Circular Economy into VET, the establishment of partnerships to strengthen collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and experts, and the securing of relevant resources, including expert knowledge, historical materials, and funding opportunities for a follow-up project. These measures lay the foundation for the long-term integration of Circular Economy in vocational education and foster sustainable cooperation structures.

Funding
30.000 EUR total funding from the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union

Status
in realisation (01 Sep. 2024 to 31 Aug. 2025)

AI for mental health

Project within the framework of Erasmus+ School Education

Project title
AI@Smile – Artificial intelligence and digital educational tools for the prevention of teenage suicide ideation and other psychological disorders

Project partner

  • Universität Oldenburg (Lead) | Germany
  • Universidad de Alicante – Dep. Psicología | Spain
  • University of Novi Sad | Serbia
  • Université d’Orléans | France
  • BIRA (Basque International Research Association) | Spain
  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. | Germany
  • IES Doctor Balmis | Spain
  • IDEC S.A. | Greece
  • Gimnazija “Smart” | Serbia
  • Samsun Anadolu Lisesi | Turkiye
  • Selye János Egészségügyi Technikum | Hungary

Subject
The deterioration of teenage mental health is a widespread problem that worries parents, education experts and stakeholders around the world, especially in the post-COVID era as levels of stress and anxiety have increased exponentially.

AI@Smile aims to maintain the mental health of teenagers and prevent suicidal thoughts. This involves the support of AI tools as allies to detect early signs of deteriorating mental health, the direct involvement and training of teachers, educators and parents, and the introduction of nature-based activities to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders.

Funding
400.000 EUR total funding from the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union

Status
in realisation (01 Sep. 2023 to 31 Aug. 2026)

Erasmus+ Consortium

Framework accreditation within the framework of Erasmus+ Vocational Education and Training

Project title
GFAS consortium for Erasmus+ mobilities in Vocational Education and Training

Consortium partners (As of 2025)

  • Anna-Haag-Schule | Backnang
  • BBS Neustadt am Rübenberge
  • Berufliche Schule Pinneberg| Pinneberg
  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. | Berlin
  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit Beteiligungsgesesellschaft mit Wirkung mbH | Berlin
  • Bund-fiB gUG | Berlin
  • G.A.L.B. Förderung gGmbH | Berlin
  • Gewerbliche Schule Backnang | Backnang
  • Hans-Boeckler-Schule | Berlin
  • IHK Hannover
  • Kinderladen Badehaus e. V. | Berlin
  • Kreuzberger Musikalische Aktion | Berlin
  • Langbrett GmbH | Berlin
  • Lebensnah Kitas gGmbH | Berlin
  • Linnaeus Kompetenzzentrum Hanf gGmbH | Zittau
  • Pulszeit e.V. | Berlin

Subject

  1. Formation of a consortium for companies and organisations, that offers training staff and HR managers the opportunity to spend time abroad (job shadowing, teaching and training periods).
  2. Support for Apprentices and young professionals for stays abroad worldwide.

Funding
Through the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union
2022: 1,638,650 EUR funding
2023: 703,579 EUR funding
2024: 814,977 EUR funding
2025: 2,167,566 EUR funding

Status
in realisation (2022 to 2027)

SDGs At Stake

Project within the framework of Erasmus+ School Education

Project title
SDGs at Stake

Project partner

  • FNforbundet (UN Assoc. of Denmark) (Lead) | Denmark
  • Association Intercultura | France
  • InterCollege ApS | Denmark
  • InterCollege (UK) Ltd. | United Kingdom
  • Dramblys Social Creativity Lab| Spain
  • Grundtvig Institute | Hungary
  • International Internships | Romania
  • Kocaeli Provincial Directorate of National Education | Turkiye
  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. | Germany

Subject
“SDGs at Stake” was born out of a success story led by the Danish United Nations Association, which in 2018 developed a game in a hybrid format of board game and app to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 1000 Danish schools.

The “Global Goals at Stake” game combines challenges for 2 to 4 teams that include hundreds of questions on various aspects of the SDGs and related actions, as well as various dilemmas that involve voting on truly controversial issues that are actually more complex than they seem. In addition to familiarising players with the SDGs, the game aims to promote critical thinking and argumentation, non-violent communication and appreciation of the voting process.

The project ensured that the game was adapted to the European context. The game is available in six European languages. The game is accompanied by a workbook with tried and tested practical examples for different learning contexts.

Funding
150.000 EUR total funding from the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union

Status
completed (01 Sept. 2020 to 31 Dec. 2022)

German projects

INEBB 2

Project within the framework of Vocational Education
for Sustainable Development (VESD)

Project title
Implementing sustainability and digital skills in company training

Project partner

  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. (Lead) | Berlin
  • VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG | Tettnang
  • comkomm Unternehmenskommunikation und Markenführung GmbH | Berlin
  • IHK-Projektgesellschaft mbH | Frankfurt (Oder)
  • Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg | St. Augustin

Subject
The transfer project [INEBB2] is based on the findings and developments of the INEBB project from the BBNE 2015-2019 pilot projects of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).

The main objective of this transfer project is the consistently practice-orientated, marketable, application-related and successful dissemination and long-term consolidation of INEBB further training by means of regional, lateral and vertical transfer, with particular consideration of the new standard vocational training positions “Environment and Sustainability” and “Digital Working World”.

Funding
531.115 EUR Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BiBB)

Status
completed (01 Nov. 2020 to 31 Dec. 2022)

Bioeconomic value creation

Feasibility study

Project title
Implementation of a “industrial hemp industry” in Lusatia

Project partner

  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V.

Subject
Feasibility study on the establishment of a regional bioeconomic value chain using the example of the production and processing of industrial hemp.

FundingOwn funds

Status
completed (2021)

INEBB

Project within the framework of Vocational Education
for Sustainable Development (VESD)

Project title
Integrating sustainable development into Vocational Education and Training

Project partner

  • Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. (Lead) | Berlin
  • Institut für Zukunftsorientierte ArbeitsGestaltung gGmbH | Magdeburg
  • comkomm Unternehmenskommunikation und Markenführung GmbH | Berlin

subject
Development of a further training programme including curriculum and CCI certification for training personnel in in-company vocational training in commercial professions in the wholesale and retail trade.

In addition, trainees in the companies benefit from the development of exemplary learning modules that make sustainable development clear in the specific occupational field and can be used in company practice.

Funding
395.863 EUR Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BiBB)

Status
completed (01 Mar. 2016 to 28 Feb. 2019)