Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Design Toolkit

The Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Curriculum Design Toolkit, developed by Dr. Kieran Higgins and Dr. Alison Calvert with support from Advance HE, offers a structured, competency-based approach to embedding sustainability across higher education programmes. Using the CRAFTS methodology, the toolkit equips educators to align teaching and learning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Designed for both module and programme levels, the toolkit features a five-phase process—ranging from stakeholder analysis to curriculum redesign and action planning—and includes practical templates to support implementation. With its focus on authentic, active learning, it enables institutions to map current ESD practices, identify gaps, and enhance teaching strategies across cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioural domains.

Ideal for teaching teams, programme directors, and curriculum developers, the toolkit supports continuous improvement in building sustainability competencies for future-ready learners.

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