SPARK the Movement

About us

SPARK the Movement encourages and supports educators to work together with partners in the region to stimulate the development circular talent.

Young professionals are vital in the transition to a circular economy and a sustainable world. With the right knowledge and skills, the new generation will become an essential link in solving the major issues of our time.

Celebrating, connecting, and embedding

Learning about a circular economy and a sustainable society is not something you do alone, and it's not something you learn from a book. That's why SPARK the Movement is setting the entire education system in motion. We do this by celebrating and supporting all sustainable educational initiatives – called sparks. We connect sparks and encourage joint projects. And we are committed to structural change.

Everybody contributes

Our goal? An education system that is fully committed to a clean, happy, and healthy society. In which educational institutions develop regional learning processes where pupils and students get to work with companies and social organizations. In this way, everyone contributes with their unique talents to the changes needed for a livable planet and a thriving society.

Origin in the business community

SPARK the Movement was created in 2018 as an initiative of the Frisian business community. Although the program was quickly adopted by Frisian universities of applied sciences, vocational colleges, and universities, both the business community and government organizations are still closely involved.

SPARK the Movement has close ties with schools, businesses, and governments in the region. SPARK Friesland was therefore recognized by the United Nations as an RCE, giving us access to a global network of Regional Centers of Expertise in the field of learning for sustainable development.

It started with a spark

How it started

2018 SPARK the Movement is originated by Frisian educators, entrepreneurs, young people, and policymakers from the municipality of Leeuwarden and the province of Fryslân.
2019 Vocational, higher professional, and university schools in Fryslân adopt SPARK the Movement.
2021 On the initiative of SPARK the Movement, Fryslân is recognized by the United Nations University as a Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) Fryslân in the field of learning for sustainable development. This status gives us access to a global network of regions with knowledge and experience.
2023 Frisian educational institutions signed the Friesland Education Agreement, aimed at cooperation for broad prosperity. SPARK the Movement becomes the implementing party for the ‘circular & inclusive’ work package.
2023 SPARK the Movement crosses the border: the Limburg region also starts working with the SPARK approach.
2024 SPARK the Movement is evaluated by research agency Kessels & Smit. After a positive evaluation, Frisian education administrators decide to continue the program until at least the end of 2027.

What we dream of...

2027 Learning for a circular economy and a sustainable society is embedded in education within the region. RCE Fryslân brings together knowledge, research, and expertise.
2030 The era in which the Sustainable Development Goals serve as the benchmark for sustainable development is coming to an end. However, thanks to SPARK the Movement, young people in the region know how they can shape the future towards the 22nd century in a regenerative way.

This is how we do it

Our most important tools

Whole School Approach to Sustainability

The Whole School Approach to Sustainability (WSA) is an integrated school approach to integrate sustainable development into all aspects of education: vision, curriculum, didactics and pedagogy, building management and operations, professional development, and the school environment—in order to embed sustainability step by step.

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Sustainable Development Goals by the UN

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a compass for achieving a sustainable world for everyone by 2030. All 193 member states of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. SPARK the Movement uses the SDGs as a ‘language’: when we talk about sustainability, we are talking about ecological, social, and economic change.

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Learning for sustainable education

Learning for sustainable development enables every person to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary to exhibit sustainable behavior. SPARK the Movement is a member of the Coöperatie Leren voor Morgen (Learning for Tomorrow Cooperative), a network that promotes learning for sustainable development throughout the Netherlands.

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the seven pillars for a circulair economy

A circular economy contributes to the realization of a sustainable society and is therefore more than just returning raw materials to the cycle. SPARK the Movement applies the seven pillars for a circular economy, developed by Vereniging Circulair Friesland, in its work.

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