Sustainability Academy – ESG Management

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are pleased to announce that the Green Industry Foundation has launched another project supporting the green transition in cooperation with international partners, led by the University of Tourism and Ecology in Sucha Beskidzka. Below you will find key information about this new initiative.

Programme: Erasmus+
Action: KA220-VET – Cooperation Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training

Project Title: Sustainability Academy – ESG Management
Project Duration: 1 March 2022 – 1 March 2024
Project Coordinator: University of Tourism and Ecology, Poland
Project Partners:

• Green Industry Foundation – Poland
• European Ecocycles Society – Hungary
• EDU SMART Training Centre Limited – Ireland

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The economic transition requires businesses to fundamentally transform their management systems, replacing traditional business models with sustainable and green approaches. Climate awareness studies show that even large publicly listed companies featured in global ratings struggle to meet growing sustainability and climate-related expectations, while the requirements of the EU Taxonomy increasingly affect virtually every company applying for financing or negotiating insurance coverage.

Through this project, the partners aim to address the growing need for greater awareness of sustainable management. Preparing both vocational education systems and businesses to implement modern sustainability management models requires defining the new competencies expected of managers and business leaders while creating effective opportunities to develop those skills.

The project's primary objective is to increase knowledge of sustainable development among business leaders and management teams through vocational education and training.

The project will also contribute to:

• implementing an innovative Sustainability Academy – ESG Management training programme within vocational education,
• increasing knowledge and competencies related to sustainable development among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs),
• strengthening vocational education in the field of sustainable development,
• increasing the number of sustainability professionals,
• supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal and the EU Taxonomy.

THE PROJECT HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED!

The first international project meeting took place on 28 April 2022, bringing together representatives of all project partners:

• University of Tourism and Ecology (WSTiE), Poland
• Green Industry Foundation, Poland
• European Ecocycles Society (Hungary)
• EDU SMART Training Centre Limited (Ireland)

The meeting was opened by Maria Grzechynka, Chancellor of the University of Tourism and Ecology. The agenda covered project activities, the implementation schedule, communication procedures, and project management arrangements. The partners agreed on the first project tasks, appointed the Partnership Board and partner coordinators, and discussed key sustainability and green transition challenges in Europe. Particular attention was also given to project promotion, including social media activities and dissemination through expert and institutional networks.

We will continue to share updates as the project progresses.

The University of Tourism and Ecology in Sucha Beskidzka, in cooperation with the Green Industry Foundation(Poland), EDU SMART Training Centre (Ireland), and the European Ecocycles Society (Hungary), is implementing a project under the Erasmus+ Programme, KA220-VET – Cooperation Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training.

We invite representatives of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from the partner countries to participate in a survey conducted as part of the project.

The project aims to develop a postgraduate study programme, professional training courses, and educational resources for employees of MSMEs who wish to strengthen their competencies in sustainable development, the European Green Deal, the green transition, and the EU Taxonomy. To ensure that these programmes and materials are relevant and practical, we kindly ask you to share your knowledge, experience, and insights. Completing the questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes. The survey is anonymous, and the results will be analysed only in aggregated form for research and educational purposes.

Please follow the instructions provided for each question. Thank you for your time and valuable contribution.

Polish Survey: https://forms.gle/JPc22KLDRcbkYGTV9

Research Report on Management Competencies in Sustainable Development

The project partners have published the report:

"Competency Assessment of Management Teams in Sustainable Development Management Across Poland, Ireland and Hungary."

Modern organizations must respond to a wide range of risks - including climate-related risks - and adopt a holistic approach to sustainable development. To address this challenge, the project partners began by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the European business landscape. The published report represents the culmination of this research.

Research Methodology

The study was conducted using an online questionnaire completed by 304 respondents (100 in Poland, 102 in Hungary, and 102 in Ireland). The survey was complemented by a series of Individual In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with representatives of management teams from micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Key Findings

The analysis identified several important trends:

• Modern organizations must actively respond to the challenges posed by climate change.
• This requires managers to possess a broad range of competencies, including risk management, technology, environmental protection, and interdisciplinary knowledge.
• Educational models must evolve across all industries. For example, research conducted in the agricultural sector indicates that managers increasingly need expertise in quality assurance systems, process engineering, and modern agricultural technologies.
• Management education should therefore adopt an interdisciplinary approach, integrating sociology, psychology, economics, technology, and sustainability.
• Management training must be practical and tailored to the specific needs of each industry. Universal training models are no longer sufficient. Educational programmes should begin with a needs assessment and then be designed to address sector-specific challenges while reflecting the latest ESG developments.

Practical Value of the Report

Although developed as part of a broader research project, the report has significant practical value in its own right. It provides valuable insights into sustainable management and its impact on business development.

The report will be useful for anyone interested in developing sustainable business practices and strengthening ESG management competencies. It may also support organizations seeking to align their operations with sustainable development requirements and climate-related expectations.

The project partners hope that the report will become an important source of knowledge and inspiration for organizations committed to sustainable and green economic development. At the same time, its findings will guide the next stages of the project, including the development of an innovative training programme and new vocational education resources focused on sustainable development.

Reports

PL EN HU 

Second International Meeting – Online Format

Dear Sir or Madam,

The second international project meeting was held via the Webex platform on 26 September 2022. The meeting followed the agenda below:

1. Summary of Work Package O1
2. Launch of Work Package O2 (scope, timeline, and budget)
3. Two operational teams and their responsibilities within O2
4. Discussion and Q&A

The purpose of the meeting was to review the completion of Work Package O1 (Assessment of Management Competencies in Sustainable Development Management) and to monitor progress on Work Package O2 (Development of the Sustainable Development Management Competency Framework). The meeting enabled the partners to define the next stages of work in detail and coordinate project activities. The partners also exchanged experiences and discussed sustainable development education in the context of the implementation of the European Green Deal. In addition, the meeting served as a project management session, during which the consortium reviewed progress against the project schedule and budget, assessed partner cooperation, and evaluated the activities completed to date.

 

 

Project Partners Develop the Sustainable Development Management Competency Framework

"Sustainability Academy – ESG Management" is an international project implemented by the University of Tourism and Ecology in cooperation with partners from Poland, Hungary, and Ireland. The project's objective is to increase sustainable development knowledge among business managers through specialist ESG training programmes. These programmes are based on an in-depth analysis of market realities and the identification of competencies requiring further development.

The project partners - University of Tourism and Ecology, EDU SMART Training Centre Limited, European Ecocycles Society, and the Green Industry Foundation - combined their expertise to develop a practical Sustainable Development Management Competency Framework covering two levels of managerial responsibility. The framework provides a comprehensive description of the competencies, challenges, and opportunities that formed the basis for the project's innovative training programme and educational resources. Drawing on the project's research findings, the partners identified the key competencies required by management teams and developed a professional competency framework outlining the knowledge and skills needed to acquire them.

The competency matrix has been designed for two levels of management, enabling a more accurate response to the real needs of businesses. It defines the competencies required for both senior executives (advanced level) and middle managers (foundation level). The resulting training programme directly addresses market demand while supporting organizations in meeting the expectations placed on socially responsible businesses.

The development of this two-level competency framework represents an important step towards increasing ESG awareness and knowledge among management teams. Ultimately, the project will help prepare managers to implement modern sustainable management practices effectively while continuously developing the competencies required for long-term success.

 

Publications – Competency Framework

 

 

 

 

 

"Sustainable Development – ESG Management" Training Programme Now Available

As part of the "Sustainability Academy – ESG Management" project, implemented by the University of Tourism and Ecology together with EDU SMART Training Centre Limited, European Ecocycles Society, and the Green Industry Foundation, the partnership has produced not only a comprehensive research report and a detailed management competency framework, but also a series of professional ESG training courses designed to develop and validate key management competencies.

Successfully implementing the green transition requires organizations to fundamentally transform their business strategies, replacing outdated management models with modern, sustainable approaches. Research into climate awareness shows that even large corporations face significant challenges in adapting to evolving sustainability requirements. Specialist training programmes based on clearly identified competency gaps and tailored to different management levels provide an effective response to these challenges.

The project has resulted in a series of sustainable development training courses, now available in all partner countries. Participants develop leadership competencies in ESG management, climate risk management, and integrating the green transition into organizational strategy. The programme also covers the development of effective KPIs, enabling organizations to measure environmental impacts and dependencies while preparing sustainability reports aligned with international standards and best practices.

The training programme includes a competency validation process, allowing participants to assess their newly acquired skills and identify areas for further professional development. The courses are intended not only for business professionals but also for organizations involved in vocational education and management development. For maximum accessibility, all training is delivered online and is available in Polish, English, and Hungarian.