Hands-on Erasmus+ training for VET teachers, architects, municipal staff and professionals shaping sustainable, inclusive and climate resilient cities.
Cities are becoming living laboratories for sustainability, innovation and social transformation. As Europe accelerates the Green Deal and the transition towards climate-neutral communities, vocational education and training (VET) plays a crucial role in preparing future professionals capable of designing resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban environments.
This Erasmus+ course equips VET teachers, trainers, architects, municipal professionals and urban practitioners with practical participatory design methodologies that support sustainable urban development, climate resilience and community engagement. Participants learn how to integrate collaborative design processes into vocational education, project-based learning and professional practice while strengthening green, digital and civic competences.
Rather than designing solutions for communities, participants learn how to design with communities. Through real-life case studies, fieldwork, co-design workshops and collaborative reflection, they discover practical tools for involving citizens, students, businesses, NGOs and public authorities in creating more inclusive and sustainable cities.
The course combines participatory design, climate action, innovation, stakeholder engagement and experiential learning, enabling participants to transfer newly acquired methods directly into vocational education programmes, municipal projects and professional practice.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed their own implementation plan for introducing participatory design methodologies into their institution, curriculum or local community.
Target group
VET teachers, architects, municipal staff, NGO workers, volunteers serving in the education sector, professionals shaping sustainable, inclusive and climate resilient cities.
Giouli Athousaki
meet your trainer
“After this week in Athens, I am grateful for and impressed by all I’ve experienced. Athens – what a dive into history! The course – what an impact on my thinking! Special thanks to you, dear Giouli, for your dedication and enthusiasm!”
Merja, Finland
Learning time: 25 hours or more / 7 days
Language used for the training: English
Choose a location and find out the course dates
06.09.2026 – 12.09.2026 PLANNED
11.10.2026 – 17.10.2026 CONFIRMED
01.11.2026 – 07.11.2026 PLANNED
Our courses in Greece are run in cooperation with:
Sineterismos Ergazomenon COMMONSPACE
OID E10008042 – EL
New dates for this training will be published soon
Our courses in Greece are run in cooperation with:
Sineterismos Ergazomenon COMMONSPACE
OID E10008042 – EL
2
Join this course
2026: € 560 per person / 7 days
Very important:
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Why is this course for?
This course is particularly suitable for:
- VET teachers and trainers in architecture, construction, urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental studies, civil engineering and related vocational subjects.
- Teachers delivering project-based learning, work-based learning and sustainability education.
- School leaders and VET coordinators responsible for curriculum innovation and internationalisation.
- Municipal and regional authorities involved in sustainable urban development, climate action and public participation.
- Architects, planners, designers, engineers and consultants seeking innovative participatory approaches.
- NGO professionals working in community development, environmental education or social innovation.
- University lecturers and researchers in architecture, planning, sustainability and urban studies.
- Professionals involved in smart cities, placemaking, urban regeneration and community engagement.
Course objectives
By the end of the course participants will be able to:
- Understand the principles of participatory design and their application in sustainable urban development and vocational education.
- Apply participatory methodologies to urban planning, architecture, community projects and VET learning environments.
- Facilitate collaboration between learners, citizens, public authorities, businesses and community organisations.
- Integrate climate resilience, sustainability and GreenComp competences into vocational education and professional practice.
- Design authentic project-based learning activities inspired by real urban challenges.
- Use participatory design tools including stakeholder mapping, co-design workshops, urban observation, prototyping and evaluation methods.
- Strengthen learners’ innovation, creativity, collaboration and systems-thinking skills through authentic learning experiences.
- Develop an implementation plan for introducing participatory methodologies within their own institution or local community.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course participants will be able to:
Participatory Design
- explain the principles, stages and benefits of participatory design;
- distinguish participatory design from consultation and traditional planning approaches;
- facilitate collaborative design processes involving multiple stakeholders.
Green Skills and Sustainability
- understand the relationship between urban planning, sustainability and climate resilience;
- integrate GreenComp competences into vocational education;
- promote sustainable and climate-responsive thinking through authentic learning activities.
Vocational Education Innovation
- design project-based learning activities based on real urban challenges;
- transfer participatory methodologies into VET curricula and work-based learning;
- strengthen learner engagement through experiential and community-based education.
Professional Collaboration
- coordinate multi-stakeholder projects involving schools, municipalities, NGOs and businesses;
- facilitate teamwork, dialogue and collaborative problem solving;
- communicate effectively with diverse professional groups.
Digital and Professional Competences
- use collaborative digital tools for planning, mapping and documentation;
- create visual presentations and action plans using digital applications;
- document participatory processes and evaluate project outcomes.
Reflection and Transfer
- critically reflect on their professional practice;
- develop an institutional action plan;
- identify opportunities for future Erasmus+ cooperation and international partnerships.
Certification
Participants receive:
- Learning Agreement
- Certificate of Attendance in line with Erasmus+ quality standards
- Europass Mobility Document
Costs
The 560 EUR fee covers the course tuition, issuing the required Erasmus+ documents, coffee breaks, and a guided tour.
We offer an optional cultural programme in order to provide you with opportunities to explore the wonders of the area. All the details including the destinations and the prices will be sent to the participants two months before the course starts.