Empowering Educators for a Greener Future in Bulgaria

The training utilized innovative educational materials and approaches developed through three EUKI-funded projects: “Bridging European and Local Climate Action” (BEACON), “Towards the Introduction of Climate Action in the Educational Curriculum of Bulgarian Schools” (TICA), and VISIONS2045. Each of these initiatives has contributed significantly to embedding climate literacy and behavioral change strategies within the Bulgarian education system.

Building on the Legacy of BEACON

The BEACON project, laid the groundwork for engaging children and young people in energy-saving behavior. Since its inception, over 150 teachers, 2,000 students, and 60 schools and kindergartens across 12 municipalities have participated. By raising awareness and changing behavior patterns, BEACON demonstrated the benefits of energy savings and emissions reduction—simply through student-led initiatives. This summer’s training continued that legacy, emphasizing the role of teachers as facilitators of change within their educational communities. The “Vision workshop” Toolbox, developed during the BEACON project was distributed to participants.

Institutionalizing Climate Education through TICA

The TICA project addressed the need for structured, ongoing teacher training in climate change and energy efficiency. Through the collaborative efforts of the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU, Berlin), the National Trust EcoFund, Bulgaria (NTEF), and Bulgaria’s National Center for the Qualification of Pedagogical Specialists, TICA involved university professors and PhDs to develop training programs and educational packages tailored for Bulgarian teachers. These resources and the experience gathered by the university team formed the backbone of the June 2025 training, helping participants explore how to partially integrate climate topics into various subjects and classroom activities.

VISIONS2045: Planning for Climate-Neutral Schools

A forward-looking dimension of the training came from the VISIONS2045 project, which focuses on guiding schools towards climate neutrality. Teachers were introduced to tools for calculating their schools’ carbon footprints and were introduced to the concept of Vision Workshops, to develop together with their students action roadmaps for reducing their school’s environmental impact. This process not only empowers schools to become role models in their communities but also involves students in real-life problem-solving and climate action.

Supporting National Goals through Energy Efficiency in Municipal Schools and Kindergarten

The training is mandatory for schools and kindergartens supported by the Energy Efficiency in Municipal Schools and Kindergarten sub-program, established through a bilateral agreement between Bulgaria and Germany concerning the sale of Annual Emissions Allocations (AEAs). The program prioritizes projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency in municipal educational buildings. While the physical upgrades to buildings are crucial, this training emphasizes the parallel importance of human capital—educators—who play a key role in ensuring long-term behavioral change and sustainable school management.

By merging infrastructural investment with targeted educational initiatives, the sub-program and EUKI projects together represent a holistic approach to climate action in schools—an approach that is already delivering measurable environmental benefits and shaping the mindset of future generations.

For more information on the training or the EUKI projects involved, please contact the National Trust EcoFund, Bulgaria – mail...@....org