Teachers and school leaders looking to strengthen their skills in sustainable development education can now apply for the Global Schools Advocates Program, a free online opportunity designed to help educators bring sustainability, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and global issues into their classrooms and wider school communities.
The programme is open to primary and secondary school teachers worldwide and offers participants free online training, mentorship, professional development sessions, a global educator network, teaching resources, and a formal certificate of completion.
Applications are open until 18 September 2026.
What Is the Global Schools Advocates Program?
The Global Schools Advocates Program is a cohort-based initiative for teachers and school leaders who want to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into their classrooms, school operations and teaching practices.
The programme was developed using insights from more than 220 sustainable development experts and over 40 educators. It aims to equip educators with the knowledge, resources and practical strategies needed to help students understand global challenges and become inspired to take action.
Participants are not required to follow a fixed curriculum. Instead, the programme allows educators to adapt the available resources and activities to suit the needs and context of their own schools and communities.
What Does the Programme Offer?
One of the major advantages of the Global Schools Advocates Program is that participation comes with a range of free professional development and networking opportunities.
Accepted teachers will receive:
- Free online training in sustainable development education
- Monthly online workshops and conversations
- Access to a global network of educators
- A structured mentorship programme
- A comprehensive Advocates Toolkit containing more than 17 supporting documents
- Opportunities to participate in international conferences and educational events
- A formal Certificate of Completion
The programme therefore offers more than online learning. It provides educators with an opportunity to become part of an international community of teachers working to make sustainable development education more practical and relevant.
Free Online Training for Educators
The programme begins with online training designed to strengthen educators’ understanding of Education for Sustainable Development.
Through the training, participants are introduced to the Sustainable Development Goals and gain ideas for incorporating sustainable development themes into their teaching. The training is delivered primarily online and asynchronously, with optional synchronous lectures, and is expected to take approximately 10–15 hours.
After successfully completing the training, participants receive the Global Schools Advocate title and the Advocates Toolkit, allowing them to begin applying what they have learned within their schools.
Turn Sustainable Development Knowledge Into Action
The programme encourages educators to move beyond learning about sustainability and begin introducing it to their school communities.
Advocates are expected to introduce Education for Sustainable Development to students, colleagues and school leadership. This can include organising workshops for fellow teachers, introducing students to sustainable development concepts and adapting programme resources to local community contexts.
Participants can then use the provided lesson plans, activity guides and Advocates Toolkit to implement sustainability-related activities in their classrooms or across their school communities.
This flexible approach means teachers do not have to commit to a predefined curriculum. They can tailor activities according to their students’ needs, school priorities and local circumstances.
Build a Global Network of Like-Minded Educators
Networking is another important component of the programme.
Global Schools Advocates have opportunities to engage with educator mentors and participate in monthly professional development sessions. These activities allow participants to exchange ideas, discuss their experiences and learn from teachers working in different countries and educational contexts.
The programme also encourages Advocates to share lessons learned with the Global Schools team and their wider communities.
For teachers interested in international collaboration and professional development, this global network can provide an opportunity to connect with educators working toward similar sustainability goals.
Who Can Apply?
The Global Schools Advocates Program is open to primary and secondary school teachers worldwide.
Teachers working through recognised volunteering programmes, including programmes such as UN Volunteers, Fulbright and Teach for All, may also be eligible.
Applicants should have:
- A strong level of English to complete the training and participate in the global network
- A willingness to dedicate at least 5 hours per week to the programme
- An interest in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement
- A willingness to learn and collaborate with educators globally
- The ability and motivation to inspire fellow teachers and members of their school community
Importantly, previous experience with the Sustainable Development Goals is not required. This makes the programme accessible to teachers who are interested in sustainability but are still developing their knowledge in the field.
What Will Participants Be Expected to Do?
Global Schools Advocates are expected to dedicate approximately 5–10 hours per week to activities such as learning, brainstorming with other educators, experimenting with sustainability-focused lesson plans and developing initiatives within their school communities.
The programme does not require educators to implement a particular curriculum. Instead, participants are encouraged to develop approaches that work within their own educational environments.
Application Deadline and How to Apply
The application deadline for the Global Schools Advocates Program is:
📅 Deadline: 18 September 2026
Interested educators can submit their applications through the official Global Schools application form. The programme also provides a Terms of Reference document, frequently asked questions and training syllabus for prospective applicants who want to understand the programme in greater detail before applying.
Why Educators Should Consider This Opportunity
For teachers seeking to expand their professional skills while helping students understand sustainability and global challenges, the Global Schools Advocates Program offers a practical starting point.
Participants receive free training, mentorship, teaching resources, a global professional network and a formal certificate, while gaining an opportunity to introduce Education for Sustainable Development within their own school communities.
With applications closing on 18 September 2026, eligible teachers and school leaders worldwide are encouraged to review the programme requirements and submit their applications before the deadline.
