On 2 June 2026, a Green Flag Award Ceremony of the Eco-Schools programme in Slovenina took place at Polhov Gradec Primary School. During the event, 26 educational institutions from across Slovenia received, for the first time, the internationally recognised Green Flag award for their achievements in Education for Sustainable Development. The event was both a celebration of their accomplishments and a warm welcome to the newest members of the largest network of educational institutions for sustainable development in Slovenia.
The Green Flag is an international recognition awarded to institutions that successfully complete all seven steps of the Eco-Schools programme and systematically integrate sustainable development into their everyday activities. It represents much more than environmental projects; it reflects a whole-school approach to sustainability, including responsible resource management, care for nature, healthy lifestyles, cooperation with local communities, and the active involvement of children and young people in finding solutions to contemporary challenges.
This year, the Eco-Schools programme in Slovenia celebrates its 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, it has grown into the largest Slovenian network of educational institutions dedicated to sustainable development, connecting kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, student residences, higher vocational colleges and universities. The programme is based on the belief that sustainability values are best developed through practical experience, active participation and responsible action in everyday life.
The Eco-Schools programme operates under the umbrella of the international organization FEE – Foundation for Environmental Education, one of the world’s largest environmental education organizations, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Through programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag, LEAF and Young Reporters for the Environment, FEE empowers millions of young people worldwide to become active contributors to a more sustainable future.
The participants were welcomed by Ilinka Kucler, Principal of Polhov Gradec Primary School, and Gregor Cerar, National Coordinator of the Eco-Schools programme in Slovenia. Both speakers emphasized the importance of educating young generations for a responsible and sustainable future and highlighted the crucial role of schools and kindergartens in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Before the award ceremony, Boštjan Jerman from the United Nations Association of Slovenia delivered a professional lecture entitled How to Integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into the Educational Process. He presented practical approaches for incorporating the SDGs into everyday teaching and learning while emphasizing the importance of active citizenship and global responsibility among young people.
The central part of the event was the presentation of the Green Flags. Representatives of the awarded institutions shared highlights from their first year in the Eco-Schools programme. Their presentations showcased numerous activities related to waste reduction, school gardens and outdoor classrooms, sustainable mobility, energy conservation, biodiversity protection and cooperation with local communities.
The institutions that received the Green Flag for the first time in the 2025/2026 school year included kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and higher vocational colleges from different regions of Slovenia. The diversity of participating institutions once again confirmed that the principles of sustainable development are relevant at all levels of education – from the youngest children in kindergartens to students in higher vocational education.
Each Green Flag tells a story of cooperation among children, pupils, students, teachers, school leadership, parents and the local community. Behind every flag stand countless hours of planning, research, creativity and teamwork. At the same time, the award represents a commitment to the future – a commitment to continuously developing sustainability competences, environmental responsibility and active citizenship.
Following the official programme, participants visited an outdoor classroom presented by Prof. Dr. Marko Jankovec from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana. They also had the opportunity to take part in a presentation of the Sundial experiment and a guided walk along the educational trail prepared by the host school.
We extend our sincere congratulations to all new Green Flag recipients and wish them continued success in creating a more sustainable, fair and responsible future.
- Enota vrtca pri OŠ Fram
- OŠ Ivana Roba Šempeter pri Gorici, Enota Vrtec
- OŠ Kuzma, Vrtec Kuzma
- Vrtec Ciciban Sevnica
- Vrtec pri OŠ Duplek
- Vrtec pri OŠ Rudolfa Ukoviča Podgrad
- Zasebni zavod Naši mali škratki
- OŠ Antona Globočnika Postojna
- OŠ Antona Tomaža Linharta Radovljica
- OŠ Bogojina
- OŠ Dobrna
- OŠ Duplek, Podružnica Dvorjane in Podružnica Zg. Duplek
- OŠ Ivana Groharja (Škofja Loka)
- OŠ Ivana Cankarja Ljutomer
- OŠ Koper
- OŠ Kungota
- OŠ Matije Valjavca Preddvor
- OŠ Miroslava Vilharja
- OŠ Polhov Gradec
- Dijaški dom Nova Gorica
- Elektrotehniška-računalniška strokovna šola in gimnazija Ljubljana – Vegova Ljubljana
- SŠ Izola-Scuola media Isola
- Prometna šola Maribor, Višja strokovna šola L.I.V.E.
- SIC Brežice, Višja strokovna šola
- ŠC Slovenj Gradec, Višja strokovna šola, video
Boštjan Jerman, Društvo za Združene narode za Slovenijo: Cilji trajnostnega razvoja
