Learn and teach for a sustainable future – Empowering schools and teachers across Ireland to take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The SDG Challenge Schools Programme is run by Development Perspectives, funded by WorldWise Global Schools. This programme works with schools across the Northeast of Ireland to increase schools’ capacity to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals and take action on topics of global justice.
SDG Challenge Schools is a global citizenship education project which aims to equip teachers and students with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take informed action to contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our programme runs from September to May, but we are available for additional training and support to teachers who would like to incorporate Global Citizenship Education into their subjects.
Project Summary – 2025 – 2026
Over the past number of months, the SDG Challenge Schools project, supported by WorldWise Global Schools, has been actively engaging students and educators across Cavan, Louth, Dublin, Monaghan, and Meath. Through close collaboration with students, teachers, and school leadership teams, the initiative has explored Global Citizenship Education (GCE) within both school settings and the wider community, encouraging creative and meaningful approaches to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participating schools — including St. Louis Secondary School Dundalk, The Royal School Cavan, St Clare’s College Ballyjamesduff, Ballymakenny College Drogheda, Scoil Mhuire Trim, and St Joseph’s Secondary School Rush — have shown outstanding enthusiasm and innovation in linking global issues with local action. Their work highlights the growing impact of the project in fostering awareness, responsibility, and active engagement among young people.
What is Global Citizenship Education?
Global Citizenship Education aims to increase awareness and understanding of the interconnected world which we live in.
Global Citizenship Education:
- facilitates schools to take action for a more just and sustainable world.
- is about teaching and learning through a global justice lens.
- allows schools to explore the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to become global citizens.
Global Citizenship Education is a lifelong journey:
The SDG Challenge Schools uses the SDGs as a framework for Global Citizenship Education
Learn more: SDG Challenge
Exploratory Learning:
We believe learning should be immersive and emotive. The idea is to cultivate curiosity and compassion and action will follow. We want to empower teachers and students with critical thinking tools so they can make informed decisions as an individual, part of their community, and citizens of the world. In order to ensure a holistic approach our programme is organised as shown:
Students will also receive a monthly interactive journal, ‘My GCE Journey’, which highlights a different SDG each month. If you would like to avail of this free resource, please get in touch.
Teacher’s testimonies:
“I loved learning about the different projects that other schools are doing, for example eco-bricks”.
“I really valued the opportunity to discuss action projects with teachers from other schools.”
“I learned about the SDGs and how we are all responsible in helping to achieve the goals.”
Contact us
If you wish to find out more about the programme or how your school can get involved, please contact coordinator Gareth Conlon
gareth@developmentperspectives.ie
Phone: +353 419801005
