Forthcoming policy developments

Ministerial Decision 

With Ministerial Decision 66152/GD4/2022, the new Curriculum “Environment and Education for Sustainable Development” was established for Kindergarten, Grades 1–6 of Primary School, and Grades 1–3 of Gymnasium (Lower Secondary School).

The program was developed as part of the overall reform of curricula by the Institute of Educational Policy and has been gradually implemented since the 2022–2023 school year.

According to the content of the decision, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), in alignment with UNECE, UNESCO, and UNEP frameworks, constitutes a core axis for ensuring environmental and social sustainability. This approach is connected to the international framework “Education for Sustainable Development: Towards achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030)” and recognizes the role of education in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Education for Sustainable Development represents an evolution of Environmental Education and introduces a holistic approach that includes:

• Understanding natural systems and the limits of natural resources

• Linking economic activities with sustainability

• Promoting social justice and human rights

• Developing active and responsible citizens

The establishment of this Curriculum is part of the broader integration of sustainability into Greek educational policy and serves as a key reference point in current discussions on the role of education in sustainable development.

The enactment of Law 4936/2022 (National Climate Law) established a regulatory framework for climate neutrality and strengthened the connection of public policies with the green transition. Although the law does not address education exclusively, it indirectly affects educational content and the discussion on climate literacy and the active participation of youth in sustainable development.

Discussions on climate education are linked to the need to strengthen skills related to:

• Understanding the climate crisis

• Sustainable consumption

• The energy transition

• Environmental responsibility.

Ongoing debates

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Greece 2.0 , constitutes the national reform and investment program under the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and is currently underway.

The program is structured around four pillars, of which:

• Pillar 1 concerns the Green Transition

• Pillar 3 concerns Employment, Skills, and Social Cohesion

Under the Green Transition pillar, reforms and investments are planned related to:

• The energy transition

• Lignite phase-out

• Sustainable mobility

• The circular economy

• Climate change adaptation

These interventions create the framework for developing green skills and new career opportunities for the younger generation.

Under the Employment, Skills, and Social Cohesion pillar, reforms include:

• Strengthening access to social inclusion policies

• Developing skills and training programs

• Enhancing apprenticeships

• Early childhood interventions

• Promoting equality and inclusion.