Summary

In 2016, the OECD defined global competence as the capacity to examine local and global issues, establish positive interactions with others, appreciate different points of view, and develop a sense of taking collective action for well-being. In 2015, the UN adopted the agenda for sustainable development, which established 17 sustainable development goals to be achieved by all countries through a global partnership by 2030.

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Schools play a crucial role not only in contributing to the development of the 17 sustainable development goals but, more importantly, in fostering global competence among their students. In fact, in 2018, PISA included, for the first time, an evaluation of global competence among 15-year-old students worldwide.

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Within this context, this project aims to develop global competence by enhancing new globalized and interdisciplinary methodologies focused on the development of 21st-century skills such as project-based learning and gamification.

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The participants in this project are four public elementary schools located in Barcelona (Spain), Reykjavik (Iceland), Svendborg (Denmark), and Famalicão (Portugal). All four schools are eager to contribute to making the world a better place by taking action on issues related to the sustainable development goals and fostering global competence among their students.

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During the first year of the project, we conducted the first two learning, teaching, and training activities, while the last two took place during the second and third years. A steering committee, composed of the coordinators from each country, was created to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

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By the end of the project, we expect an improvement in teaching competencies, project-based learning, and gamification methodologies among teachers. We also anticipate growth in global competence among students, as well as improvements in English communication skills, digital skills, and the development of a European identity and global citizenship. In addition to the impact on the participants (students and teachers) and the organizations involved, we also aim to impact our local and regional area by inviting teachers from other schools and countries for job-shadowing visits and by engaging with local NGOs and volunteering initiatives.

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To maximize the impact of our project, we have created a logo that is used on the project website, the Twinspace, the school website, the Erasmus+ project, and on the project's merchandise items. Furthermore, we have made efforts to share our project and its results with other schools, teachers, the media, and by participating in conferences, workshops, and seminars. We have utilized social media platforms to ensure widespread dissemination.

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As schools, it is our responsibility to prepare students not only for their future success but also to become effective and engaged citizens in their communities. Therefore, we are committed to enhancing the development of global competence and the achievement of the sustainable development goals among our students in order to accomplish these goals successfully.