Malta is set to strengthen its national commitment to sustainability education through the launch of the UNESCO Green Education Partnership (GEP), with Nature Trust – FEE Malta officially appointed as the country’s representative within the global network.

NTM said that this development positions Malta alongside leading nations working to transform education systems in response to climate and environmental challenges.

The UNESCO Green Education Partnership (GEP) is a worldwide initiative designed to embed sustainability across education policy, teaching, school operations, and community engagement. By joining the network, Malta gains direct access to UNESCO’s international frameworks, resources, and collaborative platforms aimed at preparing all learners to navigate a rapidly changing planet.

Nature Trust – FEE Malta explained that it will coordinate the programme nationally, building on more than two decades of leadership in environmental education through EkoSkola (Eco?Schools), Young Reporters for the Environment, LEAF, Blue Flag, and Green Key.

As the national representative, the organisation said it will support schools, educators, and institutions in aligning with UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard and strengthening whole?school approaches to sustainability.

A key component of the GEP is the UNESCO Green School Badge, a global recognition awarded to accreditation schemes that meet the Green School Quality Standard. Eco?Schools, operated in Malta by Nature Trust – FEE Malta, is already aligned with this standard through FEE International’s central submission.

This means Maltese schools participating in Eco-Schools have long been eligible for the Badge, even before Nature Trust formally joined the GEP network. With its new status, Nature Trust – FEE Malta said it can now independently use the “Member of GEP” designation, further reinforcing its leadership role.

Clarifying the process, Nature Trust – FEE Malta emphasised that only accreditation schemes formally aligned with UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standard (GSQS) are authorised to award the GEP Green School Badge. ”This alignment undergoes rigorous scrutiny by UNESCO to ensure credibility, and consistency, essential for international comparability. Nature Trust – FEE Malta has completed this process and has been granted sole national status to confer the Badge on schools demonstrating strong whole?school sustainability practices.”

Speaking about the launch, Vincent Attard, President of Nature Trust – FEE Malta, highlighted the significance of this milestone for Malta. “Joining the UNESCO Green Education Partnership strengthens Malta’s contribution to global sustainability efforts and supports our schools in achieving internationally recognised standards. It reinforces our long-standing mission to empower young people as active, informed agents of change.”

He added that EkoSkola’s Green Flag, already based on internationally recognised quality criteria, has long placed Maltese schools at a high level of achievement. The GEP Green School Badge now provides official global recognition for the voluntary work carried out by students and educators working together to embed sustainability across their school communities.

Further details about the official launch event will be announced in the coming months.

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