The development of skillsets among professionals required to drive the European Green Deal was the key objective of the project. Firstly, we aimed to strengthen the green skills of the participants by focusing on the area of sustainability communication. By building up their knowledge of important topics and then encouraging them to engage in discussions on real-world case studies, we wanted to enable them to communicate in a more informed and convincing manner. This included understanding green- and colour washing tactics, how to expose unsustainable practices or how to develop a strategy for greater sustainability impact. Secondly, the approach of using collaborative activities and teamwork was designed to develop resilience and leadership skills. Participants were confronted with case studies and challenge-based learning tasks to build resilience and support dealing with complexity. By working in a cross-sectoral group, we encouraged participants to think holistically while navigating uncertainty. By introducing the Inner Development Goals during the in-person workshop, we sought to spur the participants towards inner development and self-efficacy, encouraging them to become catalysts for change.
WU and Terra designed GREEN LEAP in order to address the urgent environmental challenges demonstrated in the European Green Deal. Various industries transitioning to sustainable practices face a workforce gap in green skills, which we aimed to bridge through targeted training. Professionals in sustainability roles in start-ups and SMEs were deemed to play a crucial role in its implementation, as they are more agile in adopting sustainable practices with greater potential for positive impact. The need for responsible sustainability communication to prevent greenwashing and build trust was central to the training provided in the program. This included deepening understanding of important communication topics, developing knowledge on the relevant EU frameworks and regulations, and encouraging critical thinking to assess vague or misleading sustainability claims. The program also identified the need for collaborative action, with environmentally conscious professionals having the opportunity to discuss challenges in their own and other sectors. By placing the participant interaction and teamwork at the centre of the program, the development of essential soft skills for future leadership roles was a key focus of GREEN LEAP.