Eco-Escolas Programme

The Eco-Escolas Programme is an international environmental education initiative for sustainability, coordinated in Portugal by the Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação (ABAAE). It is open to all levels of education, from pre-school to higher education, and promotes the active involvement of the entire school community in creating more sustainable schools.

More than a collection of environmental activities, the Eco-Schools Programme is a structured methodology that encourages the adoption of good environmental practices, active citizenship, and the continuous improvement of schools’ environmental performance. The programme promotes the integration of sustainability into everyday school life by engaging students, teachers, operational staff, families, local authorities, and community partners.

The programme is implemented through a structured seven-step methodology: establishing the Eco-Schools Committee, conducting an environmental review, preparing an action plan, integrating sustainability into the curriculum, monitoring and evaluation, engaging the wider community, and developing an Eco-Code. By successfully implementing this methodology, schools become eligible to apply for the Bandeira Verde Eco-Escolas Award, which recognises their achievements in environmental education and sustainability.

Throughout the academic year, schools may also participate in a wide range of projects, challenges, and campaigns addressing topics such as water, waste management, energy, biodiversity, climate action, sustainable food, the circular economy, and nature conservation, thereby reinforcing learning through participation and practical action.

In Portugal, the Eco-Schools Programme has become one of the country’s leading environmental education networks, contributing to the development of more aware, responsible, and environmentally committed citizens while supporting the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).