Across Europe, schools are transforming the way young people engage with the environment, bringing learning out of the classroom and into the natural world. From tree planting to outdoor science labs, these initiatives demonstrate the power of nature-based education to spark curiosity, build environmental awareness, and support local resilience.

Twelve schools were eligible to compete for the ‘NBS School Expertise Label’, an award for exemplary commitment to the combination of nature-based solutions (NbS) and innovative STEM education.

From North Macedonia to Portugal, from kindergartens to secondary schools - young minds and dedicated teachers everywhere are realising creative projects that combine science with practical sustainability.

Strasho Pindjur primary school for example, brings its pupils closer to nature through visits to the botanical garden and their own planting activities. At Žvaigždutė kindergarten in Lithuania, children learn through play how to treat the environment responsibly - through waste collection campaigns, tree planting and their own STEAM garden, an outdoor classroom in which science, technology, art and maths come together in a creative way. Here, children not only learn how plants grow, but also how to measure the soil, design beds or use simple technology for irrigation. In this way, nature becomes a real learning laboratory.

Many other projects also show how diverse and practical sustainable education can be: Whether it's the construction of an ‘Earthworm Hotel’ in Panevėžys, a roof garden initiative in Italy or the development of climate-friendly schoolyards in Greece - these schools turn education into a space for experiencing sustainability. These examples show: Nature-based education is not only fun, but also promotes teamwork, problem-solving and environmental awareness - even at kindergarten age!
The path to the NBS School Expertise Label starts with small steps - and leads to big, green changes. Join in now and make education sustainable!

Interested in more details about what the award-winning organisations have done - and how a school in your municipality can also receive the award?

Learn more on our NBS School Expertise page.