Eco-Schools Northern Ireland

General information

Eco-Schools is a programme for environmental management, certification and sustainable development education for schools.

Its holistic, participatory approach and combination of learning and action make it an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path to improving the environments of schools and their local communities, and of influencing the lives of young people, school staff, families, local authorities, NGOs, and all other bodies involved in this vitally important area of work.

The Eco-Schools programme was developed in 1994 on the basis of the need for involving young people in finding solutions to environmental and sustainable development challenges at the local level, as identified at the UN Conference on Environment and Development of 1992.The program was initiated by Member organisations of the Foundation for Environmental Education with the support of the European Commission.

Here in Northern Ireland, the Eco-Schools Programme is operated by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, an environmental charity. We receive funds from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, as well as support from 10 of the 11 local councils and other delivery partners.