Gaia Education - SDGs & Inner Sustainability
This badge recognizes the ability to connect the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with inner sustainability and meaningful youth work practice.
Rather than approaching sustainability as abstract global responsibility, this badge focuses on holistic systems thinking and emotional capacity as foundations for sustainable engagement.
Participants explore selected SDGs through the Gaia Education perspective and translate global goals into realistic, youth-friendly entry points.
The badge validates competence in:
- Systemic sustainability thinking
- Connecting global challenges with youth work reality
- Integrating emotional and inner dimensions of sustainability
- Designing realistic, non-overwhelming approaches
The Sustainable Development Goals address urgent global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, education, and justice
However, many young people experience:
- overwhelm
- powerlessness
- pressure to “act sustainably” without support
Gaia Education works with a whole-systems approach, connecting four dimensions of sustainability:
- Social
- Ecological
- Economic
- Cultural / Inner
This badge focuses on linking global responsibility with personal and professional sustainability in youth work.
Estimated Time: 60 - 90 minutes
Required Resources:
Sustainable action becomes possible when people feel connected, capable, and supported!
We cannot ask young people to save the world, if we do not help them feel safe and supported in it.
You have to finish all tasks to get the badge
Tasks
Task no.1
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
Complete the Gaia Education Station (Group Task)
a) Exploring the SDGs using the Gaia Education SDG Cards:
- Spread the cards on the table
- Quietly observe them
- Choose 2–3 SDGs that resonate in relation to wellbeing, pressure, or responsibility
- Choose 1 SDG that feels overwhelming, distant, or difficult
b) Reflect & Discuss:
- Why did we choose these SDGs?
- What emotions do these goals evoke (hope, pressure, frustration, motivation)?
- Where do we encounter these topics in youth work?
- Where do young people feel motivated – and where do they shut down?
c) Transfer to Youth Work Practice - Reflect together:
- How can SDGs be addressed without overwhelming young people?
- How can they be connected to everyday life and wellbeing?
- Which inner resources do young people need to engage sustainably?
- What small, realistic entry points could we create?
d) Create one group outcome, upload it on the padlet and share the link here for evidence
- Short written summary (5–7 bullet points)
- Photo of selected SDG cards with keywords
- Short video/audio reflection (1–2 minutes)
The outcome must include:
- One meaningful and workable SDG
- One insight about the link between wellbeing and sustainability
- One practical idea for youth work Gaia
Task no.2
Evidence verified by: one activity organiser
Individual Reflection – Transfer to Your Own Youth Work Practice
Submit an individual reflection addressing:
a) Emotional & Inner Sustainability
- Which SDG resonates most with my youth work reality?
- Where do I observe overwhelm or resistance in young people?
- How do global topics affect motivation and wellbeing?
b) Practical Application
- What would be easy to implement in my youth work setting?
- What would be structurally or culturally difficult?
- How can I reduce pressure while maintaining responsibility?
- Which inner resources (confidence, belonging, meaning) need strengthening first?
c) Methodological Reflection
- Which activities I already use support:
- Social sustainability?
- Ecological awareness?
- Economic understanding?
- Cultural/inner development?
- Where are gaps in my current practice?
d) Professional Growth
- What did I learn about my own sustainability mindset?
- How can I model balanced, inner-sustainable engagement?
- What small, realistic action will I test within the next month
Awero not-for-profit organisation manages this platform and develops it together with leading educational organisations. The European Union's programme Erasmus+ granted co-funding for building the first version of this platform. Contact [email protected].
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