The project intended to strengthen the role of higher education institutions in developing students’ green skills and promoting behavioural change in line with the SDGs. The objective was not only to raise awareness of sustainability, but also to support the practical application of green principles in studies, teaching practices, and everyday life. A key aim was to map good practices across partner institutions and develop a common methodology for personal green skills development, creating a shared and transferable framework for HEIs. Another objective was to enhance the green skills competencies of lecturers and students through capacity-building activities, such as train-the-trainer programme, local trainings, and an interdisciplinary course which was piloted through BIP. Supporting academic staff was essential to ensure the effective and long-term transfer of green skills to students. The project also aimed to encourage the integration of green skills into teaching methods, study programmes, and personal behaviour, and to promote a wider understanding of personal green skills in society through dissemination and multiplier activities.
The application for this project has been written because the partner institutions agreed that they need stronger and more practical ways to develop green skills among both students and lecturers. Although the EU Green Deal and the GreenComp framework highlight the need for sustainability values and green competencies, many HEIs still struggle to turn these ideas into real behaviour. One of the main reasons is that academic staff and students often lack the personal capabilities and tools needed to apply sustainability principles in practice. The Personal Green Skills in Higher Education project addresses this gap by helping lecturers gain new methods for teaching green skills and by supporting the update of study programmes to match the needs of the green transition. HEIs have a key role in preparing future professionals who can respond to climate challenges, work in changing labour markets, and contribute to sustainable development. Strengthening green skills also improves the quality and relevance of higher education and supports a university’s reputation and impact on society. Through this project, the partners tried to encourage real behavioural change and help their community move toward a more sustainable future.