How the SEED Erasmus+ Project worked with schools to make sustainability practical, not just theoretical

When people talk about sustainability in schools, it often stays at the policy level: strategies, action plans, long-term goals.
But for schools, it’s the practical things , like planning a graduation ceremony, a cultural week, or a sports day , where sustainability becomes real (and sometimes messy).

That’s exactly why the SEED Erasmus+ project focused on school events.
Events are where multiple challenges collide:

• limited time
• tight budgets
• lots of people to coordinate
• and often, a lot of waste and unnecessary resources

The project aimed to support schools in making these moments easier to manage, more environmentally friendly, and more inclusive, without adding extra layers of complexity.

At Traces&Dreams, we helped develop practical guidelines for this. Think of it as a toolbox for schools to plan events in a smarter, more sustainable way, using digital tools to reduce hassle and environmental impact.

Sweden’s Contribution: Listening to the Schools

In Sweden, we invited several schools to test these guidelines in their own way and share what worked, what didn’t, and what they needed more support with.

These were the schools that engaged with the project:

• Umeå Dragonskolan
• Älmhult Skola
• Lammhults Skola, Växjö
• Södra Skolan i Sveg, Härjedalen
• SSHL, Sigtuna – who hosted the project’s multiplier event

Some schools answered surveys, others took part through workshops or meetings. Each gave us a different perspective on how sustainability fits into school life.

What Kind of Events Did They Organize?

Here are a few examples:

Umeå Dragonskolan worked with Läsveckan (Reading Week), organizing activities like live readings and digital e-book presentations — aiming to reduce paper use while engaging students.

Älmhult Skola focused on a sports event, where they introduced waste-reducing measures and encouraged sustainable transport among participants.

Lammhults Skola tied their work to Midsummer celebrations, integrating sustainable materials and rethinking logistics to cut down on single-use items.

Södra Skolan i Sveg reported on several events, including arenasamtal (arena talks) and end-of-term assemblies, experimenting with digital invitations and efforts to reduce their environmental footprint.

SSHL hosted the project’s multiplier event, where students reflected on how personal agency and “exercising control” over their own lives relates to broader environmental and social challenges.

What Did We Learn?

The schools didn’t give us abstract theories. They told us what happens when you actually try to make an event more sustainable — what’s easy to change, what’s hard, and where schools hit a wall.

For instance:

• Avoiding single-use plastics was a priority across the board.
• Using digital invitations and programs helped reduce waste.
• Inclusion was important, but many schools lacked clear guidelines on how to make events truly accessible for all students.
• Time and resources were the biggest barriers — no surprise, but still essential to acknowledge.
• Schools appreciated the guidelines but wanted more concrete examples and step-by-step support for putting them into practice.

The Multiplier Event: From Sustainability to Personal Agency

At SSHL in Sigtuna, we held a workshop with students that reflected the project’s core principles.
The session focused on “The Exercise of Control” — exploring how young people can shape their own future by becoming aware of their choices and surroundings.
While printed materials were used to support the workshop, we kept the emphasis on inclusion, participation, and reflecting on sustainable thinking at the personal level.

A Heartfelt Thank You

This project wouldn’t have been possible without the principals, teachers, and students who took part — often on top of already busy schedules.
Your experiences, reflections, and honesty helped turn this project into something more than a report.
Your schools are now recognized on the Traces&Dreams website as early adopters and contributors to sustainable education in Europe.

Learn more here
https://www.seed-erasmus.eu/

Find the guidelines here
https://www.seed-erasmus.eu/activities/en-school-guidelines-and-piloting