A European response to the ESG skills gap
ESG4Future is an Erasmus+ co-funded initiative that brings together vocational education providers, professional institutions, and industry partners to build the next generation of ESG-literate professionals.
Mission
Equip VET learners and trainers with the practical knowledge to apply Environmental, Social, and Governance principles in real workplaces.
Approach
Co-design open educational resources, shared curricula, and assessment frameworks that can be adopted by VET providers across Europe.
Audience
VET learners, trainers, and curriculum designers — plus employers seeking to upskill their workforce on sustainability.
Outcomes
A reusable competency framework, training modules, a partnership model, and a published Project Management Guidebook.
Why ESG in VET?
Sustainability and responsible business practice are no longer optional. Yet vocational education curricula often lag behind industry demand. ESG4Future closes this gap with shared, practical learning materials and a governance model that VET institutions across Europe can adopt and adapt.
Target groups
ESG4Future addresses a broad ecosystem of stakeholders across vocational education, industry, policy, and civil society — at local, national, and European levels.
Primary target groups
The core audience our outputs are designed for.
- ›VET institutions
- ›Trainers and educators
- ›VET students
- ›Industry mentors and employers
- ›SMEs and companies
- ›ESG professionals
- ›Policymakers
- ›Educational networks
Secondary target groups
Wider stakeholders engaged through dissemination.
- ›NGOs and civil society organisations
- ›European education networks
- ›Researchers and academics
- ›Chambers of commerce
- ›Innovation hubs
- ›Public authorities
Internal target groups
Project governance and quality bodies.
- ›Consortium partners
- ›Steering Committee
- ›Quality Assurance Board
Sustainability & long-term impact
ESG4Future is designed to deliver value well beyond its funded duration. The consortium is committed to embedding ESG competencies structurally within vocational education and to keeping project outputs accessible, relevant, and adaptable to national contexts.
Institutional embedding
Integrating ESG modules into existing curricula, trainer development, and institutional strategies of partner VET providers.
Open access to outputs
Training materials, frameworks, and reports remain publicly accessible and adaptable to national contexts.
Stakeholder ownership
Continued involvement of trainers, employers, students, and policymakers ensures relevance and uptake.
Validation & quality
Outputs are validated through pilot testing, peer review, surveys, and stakeholder workshops.
Education–industry cooperation
Stronger long-term links between VET institutions and industry around responsible business practice.
European policy dialogue
Contribution to the broader European conversation on ESG integration in education and training.
About Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Running from 2021–2027, it has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion — nearly double the funding of its predecessor — with a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people's participation in democratic life.
Inclusion & diversity
Erasmus+ prioritises equal opportunities, access, and participation for people with fewer opportunities.
Green transition
Projects support climate-neutral practices and sustainable behaviour across education and training.
Digital transformation
The programme strengthens digital skills, capacity, and readiness across European institutions.
Civic engagement
Erasmus+ encourages participation in democratic life, common values, and intercultural dialogue.
Cooperation Partnerships (Key Action 2)
ESG4Future is funded under Key Action 2 — Cooperation Partnerships, which support organisations working together to develop, share, and transfer innovative practices in education, training, and youth. These projects strengthen the capacity of participating organisations to operate transnationally and to address shared challenges across Europe.
Browse the full database of Erasmus+ funded projects on the European Commission's official portal:
erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects →Source: European Commission — Erasmus+ Programme. Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission.