
This area provides a snapshot into some of the teaching and learning activities developed in our schools, to introduce young people to the Sustainable Development Goals and give them a sense of agency and purpose in these challenging times. Some activities are short and simple. Some take place over a longer time-frame, or are designed to give mainstream students a deeper awareness of global issues and the challenges faced by minority groups in society.
These activities provide a starting point to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals and the interconnected nature of our world.
By engaging with real life issues, providing safe spaces for dialogue and enquiry and supporting young people to take locally-based action, we can help make sense of the world around them, raising personal motivation and achievement. We hope you will find ideas that you can adapt to your own context.
These activities provide a starting point to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals and the interconnected nature of our world.
By engaging with real life issues, providing safe spaces for dialogue and enquiry and supporting young people to take locally-based action, we can help make sense of the world around them, raising personal motivation and achievement. We hope you will find ideas that you can adapt to your own context.
In the table, below, we have introductory activities together with an activity for each of the 17 SDGs.
The activity titles are hyperlinked - click to open the page.
The activity titles are hyperlinked - click to open the page.
Introducing the Global Goals |
Sustainable Development Goal |
Activity Title |
Goal 1 - No Poverty |
|
Goal 2 - Zero Hunger |
|
Goal 3 - Good Health & Well-being |
|
Goal 4 - Quality Education |
|
Goal 5 - Gender Equality |
|
Goal 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation |
|
Goal 7 - Affordable & Clean Energy |
|
Goal 8 - Decent Work & Economic Growth |
|
Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure |
|
Goal 10 - Reduce Inequalities |
|
Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities & Communities |
|
Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption & Production |
|
Goal 13 - Climate Action |
|
Goal 14 - Life Below Water |
|
Goal 15 - Life On Land |
|
Goal 16 - Peace & Justice, Strong Institutions |
|
Goal 17 - Partnerships For The Goals |

Useful resources for the classroom:
Printable SDG display materials (Practical Action)
Global goals display materials - Practical Action
Printable SDG display materials (Practical Action)
Global goals display materials - Practical Action
Hints and tips
YouTube videos - You can see a subtitled translation by clicking on the gear symbol at the bottom right of the video, then clicking on Subtitles/CC, followed by auto and then choosing the language desired from the dropdown list.
These resources were written by Global Education Derby and our Erasmus partners in Germany, Slovenia and UK. Some resources may mention specific exhibitions, such as Goal 11 (Slovenia) – with a little prior research, these should easily be adapted for different countries and settings. The ages listed may be those who actively participated in the initial lessons – most of the teaching resources should easily be adapted to suit different ages and abilities.
YouTube videos - You can see a subtitled translation by clicking on the gear symbol at the bottom right of the video, then clicking on Subtitles/CC, followed by auto and then choosing the language desired from the dropdown list.
These resources were written by Global Education Derby and our Erasmus partners in Germany, Slovenia and UK. Some resources may mention specific exhibitions, such as Goal 11 (Slovenia) – with a little prior research, these should easily be adapted for different countries and settings. The ages listed may be those who actively participated in the initial lessons – most of the teaching resources should easily be adapted to suit different ages and abilities.