About SSATL-ESD

Teacher leaders across Sub Saharan Africa are driving change in how sustainability is taught and practiced. Through SSATL ESD, they are supported to experiment, collaborate and lead change within their own institutions and communities.

The Sub-Saharan Africa Teacher Leadership for Education for Sustainable Development (SSATL-ESD) project is a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening teacher leadership in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region.

Education systems are under pressure and in Sub Saharan Africa the need for well prepared teachers is growing fast. By 2050, half of the world’s youth will live in the region. The SSATL ESD project responds to this challenge by strengthening teacher leadership in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Bringing together 15 partner institutions from Africa and Europe, the project empowers educators to take the lead in shaping more sustainable, inclusive and future ready education systems. Through high quality training and practical tools, teachers and teacher educators develop the skills to connect sustainability with real classroom practice.

At the core of the project are “Change Projects”, locally driven initiatives where educators identify challenges in their own institutions and implement concrete solutions, from curriculum innovation to new teaching approaches. These projects are supported by digital learning hubs and an international Community of Practice, where over 1,200 participants collaborate, exchange ideas and learn from one another. By linking local action with global goals, SSATL ESD contributes to a growing network of educators who are not just adapting to change but actively driving it.

View Concept Note

Project objectives

Strengthening Teacher Leadership

Supporting educators to lead innovation in teaching and learning for sustainable development.

Building Digital Learning Hubs

Creating spaces for innovative teaching, learning, and assessment through digital collaboration.

Driving Change Projects

Enabling teachers and students to implement practical solutions within their own institutions.

Connecting a Global Network

Bringing together educators and institutions to exchange knowledge and drive systemic change.

Advancing Policy and Practice

Strengthening institutional and policy frameworks for ESD and teacher leadership.

Project activities

Situation analysis

DESCRIPTION

Project Analysis is a comprehensive situational assessment designed to establish a baseline for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) leadership across partner institutions.We implement this phase by utilizing the Unit-based Sustainability Assessment Tool (USAT) and conducting deep consultations with over 2,100 stakeholders, including university management, educators, and community members.

This research identifies local institutional needs and provides the robust data required to design context-sensitive interventions that drive meaningful institutional change.

Sustainability Starts with Teacher Leaders Course

DESCRIPTION

This activity is an action-oriented professional development course designed to empower teacher educators and TVET trainers to model and institutionalise transformative learning for sustainability. We deliver the training through a digital learning hub, where participants are guided through six modules focused on distributed leadership, transformative pedagogy, and real-world application.

By building specific leadership competencies, the course enables educators to align their daily practice with global goals and lead sustainability transitions within their own institutions.

ESD Teacher Leaders network

DESCRIPTION

The ESD Teacher Leaders Network is a flagship initiative that establishes a transnational platform for knowledge exchange and professional connections across Africa and Europe. We foster this network by connecting teacher educators, researchers, and policymakers through dedicated research events and collaborative platforms to share best practices on sustainability.

This network aims to build a critical mass of leaders capable of driving systemic change, ensuring that local innovations gain visibility and contribute to a sustainable global future.

Online Community of Practice

DESCRIPTION

The Online Community of Practice is a collaborative digital environment where teacher educators and trainers co-create knowledge and support transformative learning for sustainable development. Hosted on a dedicated learning hub, we use interactive tools like discussion forums, webinars, and Social Media groups to facilitate rapid peer-to-peer exchange across borders.

This community allows us to nurture cross-sectoral partnerships and provides a supportive space for educators to reflect on their practice, ultimately strengthening distributed leadership across the entire region.

ESD Leaders Change Projects

DESCRIPTION

ESD Leaders Change Projects are self-defined institutional initiatives that serve as the practical core of the SSATL-ESD program. Participants identify specific context-based gaps and implement collaborative solutions, such as curriculum or whole-institution innovations, alongside students and community stakeholders.

This activity aims at fostering human agency and translating sustainability theory into tangible actions, effectively catalysing long-term cultural and educational transformation within local and regional environments.

Policy Review

DESCRIPTION

Policy Review is a strategic activity focused on aligning teacher education practices with national, regional, and global sustainability frameworks and standards. We achieve this by analysing existing professional standards and curriculum frameworks, such as those in Zambia and Namibia, to identify opportunities for embedding sustainability into official training policies.

This advocacy ensures that Education for Sustainable Development is permanently integrated into the heart of the teaching profession, providing a robust foundation for long-term systemic impact.