CoDesignS ESD Framework

The CoDesignS ESD Framework provides an easy to implement pedagogic method for embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in curriculum design using a co-design and co-creation approach. The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit is based on UNESCO’s key competencies for sustainability (UNESCO, 2017), the recent ESD guidelines published in the UK by QAA and Advance HE (2021) and the original CoDesignS framework (Toro-Troconis et al., 2019; Lewis, 2020).
The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit and the CoDesignS ESD Toolkit Planner have been developed to support the implementation of the CoDesigns ESD Framework, encouraging a co-creation and co-design approach (Toro-Troconis, 2021). The CoDesignS Toolkit takes the form of a set of cards and is freely available to download (see links below).
The CoDesignS ESD Framework and Toolkit were featured at UNESCO ESD-Net 2030 Learning Webinars in March 30th:
CoDesignS ESD @ UNESCO ESD-Net Learning Webinar
CoDesignS ESD Pillars
The three pillars identified in the CoDesignS ESD Framework comprise of:
- Key Competencies for Sustainability that are relevant to all SDGs (UNESCO, 2017) and have been classified under: Ways of Thinking, Ways of Practicing and Ways of Being in the recent ESD guidelines published by the QAA and Advance HE (2021).
- Specific Learning Objectives for the SDGs targeting the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural domains to engage students in a transformative educational experience (Sipos et al., 2008; Cotton & Winter, 2010).
- Transformative Pedagogies and Teaching Methods delivered online or in a blended learning fashion that support participation and collaboration, problem-orientation, inter and transdisciplinarity and the linking of formal and informal learning (UNESCO, 2017).
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CoDesignS ESD Toolkit Planner
The CoDesignS ESD Toolkit Planner with its Dashboard provides different visualisations to guide the curriculum design process. It supports the process of embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in curriculum design using a co-design and co-creation approach. Learn more…

Download – CoDesignS ESD Cases
Download and learn about how our Bootcamp teams embedded ESD in curriculum design using the CoDesignS ESD Framework!
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Contact us
If you would like more information about the CoDesignS ESD Framework and Toolkit, please contact us at: support@aldesd.org
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