Understand key concepts and current perspectives
Explain the main ideas, opportunities and limitations connected to circular economy, waste reduction and project-based sustainability.
Erasmus+ teacher training course
Circular Schools: From Waste to Meaningful Learning
What happens when waste becomes a learning resource?
Develop practical circular-economy learning projects for schools.
Target group: Teachers, adult educators, school leaders, sustainability coordinators and other education professionals from all educational levels.
- Activity type
- Physical mobility
- Duration
- 1 week
- Language
- English
- Equipment
- No special equipment required
Circular-Economy Learning for Schools and Communities
Waste is often discussed only as something to collect, separate and remove. A circular perspective asks deeper questions about how materials are designed, used, repaired, shared and returned to productive use. This course helps educators transform everyday material flows into opportunities for investigation, creativity, collaboration and practical sustainability learning.
Participants conduct material and waste observations, explore circular-economy principles and examine the environmental and social consequences of production and consumption. They experiment with redesign, repair, reuse and awareness activities while considering how schools can involve learners, colleagues and local partners. The course avoids presenting recycling as a complete solution and encourages participants to investigate prevention, durability, responsibility and realistic institutional change.
The final course task brings these ideas together in a circular-learning project, audit or school initiative that participants can implement at an appropriate scale and adapt to their curriculum, available resources and local community.
Learning outcomes
What You Will Learn
Analyse professional practice
Identify strengths, barriers and development priorities in relation to circular economy, waste reduction and project-based sustainability in a real educational context.
Use practical tools and methods
Apply material audits, circular design and campaign planning through guided activities, collaborative tasks and structured reflection.
Design an adaptable learning response
Create a classroom, team or organisational activity that can be adapted to participants’ own learners and setting.
Connect learning with action
Develop an achievable action that connects environmental awareness, participation and local relevance.
Six-day programme
Course Schedule
Day 1Context, systems and local realities
Welcome, needs mapping and course compass
Participants introduce their contexts, identify their goals and map current experiences connected to circular economy, waste reduction and project-based sustainability.
Shared vocabulary and key questions
Participants build a common language through short inputs, pair dialogue and a visual question wall.
Practice snapshot
Participants analyse a short case or example and identify what they would keep, question or change.
Day 2Inquiry, evidence and environmental perspectives
Method gallery
Participants rotate through concise examples, models and tools connected to circular economy, waste reduction and project-based sustainability, recording practical possibilities.
Guided skill lab
Participants practise material audits, circular design and campaign planning in small groups with trainer guidance and structured prompts.
Reflection and transfer notes
Participants capture what feels relevant, challenging or adaptable for their own learners and setting.
Day 3Learning through action and participation
Collaborative challenge
Small international groups work on an authentic challenge and apply selected tools in a purposeful task.
Create, test and revise
Participants develop a short activity, resource or approach, then improve it through testing and feedback.
Learning dialogue
Participants discuss different educational contexts and identify adaptations that make the work more realistic.
Day 4Community, inclusion and place
Case clinic
Participants examine a complex scenario, identify assumptions and consider inclusive, responsible responses.
Perspective exchange
Participants use structured dialogue to explore different learner, colleague and community perspectives.
Practical safeguards
Participants identify boundaries, risks and support strategies relevant to circular economy, waste reduction and project-based sustainability.
Day 5Project design and peer feedback
Design your own application
Participants create a classroom, team or organisational plan using material audits, circular design and campaign planning.
Peer feedback studio
Participants share work-in-progress, ask focused questions and receive practical feedback from colleagues.
Improve for implementation
Participants revise their design for feasibility, inclusion and clear evidence of learning.
Day 6Course Closure & Cultural Activities
- Reflecting on learning outcomes and key takeaways
- Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
- Cultural excursion and local heritage experience
- Informal networking and exchange of best practices
Course foundations
Recommended Reading and Theoretical Influences
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2019). Completing the Picture.
- European Commission (2020). Circular Economy Action Plan.
- European Commission (2022). GreenComp.
- UNESCO (2021). Education for Sustainable Development for 2030.
Completing the course
Evaluation, Recognition and Practical Information
Learning is supported throughout the week through participation, reflection, practical activities and constructive feedback.
Evaluation of Learning Outcomes
- Format
- Continuous assessment based on class participation, practical work and self-assessment.
- Criteria
- Active participation in discussions, reflection, collaborative activities and practical course tasks.
- Procedures
- Trainer observation, participant reflection, feedback and attendance.
Recognition of Learning Outcomes
- Conditions
- Attendance at a minimum of 80% of the course and active participation in the learning activities.
- Recognition
- Learning outcomes are recognised through participant reflection, trainer feedback and completion of the course activities.
- Documentation
- A Certificate of Attendance documenting the course title, dates, venue and learning outcomes.
Learning approach
Practical, Collaborative and Learner-Centred
The course combines hands-on workshops, real-world examples, simulations, guided reflection and collaborative activities. Participants exchange good practices, work in international groups and develop ideas that can be adapted to their own professional context.
Optional cultural, social and networking activities support local engagement, intercultural learning and professional collaboration.
Before you travel
Practical Details
Duration
One week, normally comprising 25 academic hours.
Weekly Schedule
Classes take place from Monday to Friday, in the morning or afternoon. Saturday is reserved for cultural activities.
Final Timetable
The detailed timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the beginning of the course.
Preparation
No special preparation is required unless stated in the course programme. Any required materials or equipment will be communicated before the course.
Certification
Participants who meet the attendance requirements receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Course Fee
The standard fee is €480. See what the course fee includes.
Alternative arrangements: Other course durations and schedules may be arranged on request.
Erasmus+ funding: Course fees and mobility costs may be supported through an eligible sending organisation's Erasmus+ grant. Eligibility and final funding decisions remain with the beneficiary organisation and its National Agency. Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.
Administrative support: Understanding Academy provides course programmes, learning outcomes, registration documentation and certificates. Participants and sending organisations remain responsible for transport, accommodation and grant management.
Plan your Erasmus+ mobility
Ready to Join This Course?
Check the upcoming confirmed dates or register your interest. We will contact you with information about availability and the next steps.
Need funding information? Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.