Evaluation of Sustainable Development Goals-Based Projects for Sustainable Education and Society

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to create a sustainable future by considering environmental, social, and economic elements from a holistic perspective. Instilling these goals in individuals through education is critically important for increasing awareness of sustainable development and translating this awareness into behavior. This study aims to examine how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through educational projects conducted in collaboration with schools. While the projects involved various educational stakeholders, including students, teachers, school administrators, and parents as project beneficiaries, the qualitative data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews with representatives of 17 NGOs responsible for planning and implementing these projects. The interview data were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. The findings show that SDG projects significantly contribute to developing environmental awareness, sustainable thinking, and responsible behavior in students. However, the success of the projects varies depending on the level of stakeholder participation in the educational environment, i.e., the active involvement and collaboration of relevant individuals in the process. The research findings indicate that strengthening stakeholder participation and more regular integration of sustainability-themed projects into educational curricula are necessary to promote the dissemination of sustainable development goals through education.