Finding ESD Funding Opportunities in Germany

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) integrates climate protection, biodiversity, resource conservation, and justice into learning and living environments – from daycare centers and schools through vocational training to extracurricular educational work. To ensure that ESD does not remain limited to isolated projects, reliable funding is necessary: for the qualification of multipliers, new learning formats, materials, evaluation, and the permanent integration into the daily routines of institutions.

Currently, many programs particularly promote the Whole-Institution Approach: ESD is considered not only in teaching but also in governance, procurement, operations, and organizational development. At the same time, topics such as green skills, digital implementation components (e.g., OER, learning platforms, blended learning), and socio-ecological transformation with a focus on participation and equity are gaining importance. For you, this means: strong proposals combine educational objectives with clear impact, measurable indicators, and a transfer plan – for example, through train-the-trainer programs, guidelines, or regional networks.

The funding landscape is broad: EU programs such as Erasmus+ or ESF+ can be suitable, as well as federal and state programs, municipal funding, or foundations – often within broader thematic calls where ESD is expected as a cross-cutting issue. This is precisely where it quickly becomes complex, as funding logics, target groups, and formal requirements vary greatly.

The Reflecta Funding Compass helps you to specifically find and compare suitable funding for ESD in Germany – and supports you in thoroughly reviewing requirements such as objectives, impact, and eligibility early on. This way, you can move more quickly from the idea to a viable application.