Photo: Daan Stam
Breaking Boundaries in Learning
The Bildung Climate School is the first sustainability education program in the Netherlands to bring together students from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Hogeschool Rotterdam, Willem de Kooning Academie and Albeda College. This unique collaboration unites vocational (MBO), applied (HBO) and academic (WO) education in one program.
Through experimental pedagogy, interdisciplinary teamwork and real-world projects, students explore sustainability challenges while building community across educational and social boundaries.
Creative & Transformative Learning
Every Tuesday, students engage in Bildung-style workshops focused on mindfulness, stress management, the arts, ethics and relational skills. These sessions invite personal reflection, open dialogue and creative expression: encouraging students to think critically, feel deeply and act meaningfully.
Learning Across Educational Boundaries
At BCS, students from different educational levels work side by side as equals. This inclusive approach breaks down traditional divisions within the Dutch education system and fosters mutual respect. Students learn to value diverse perspectives and collaborate on shared goals.
Real-World Projects With Impact
Each edition of BCS features a central group project: from curating sustainable fashion shows to repurposing second-hand clothes. Students manage every step themselves: from concept and design to execution and presentation. These projects develop not only practical skills but also a strong sense of ownership and community.
BCS pilots 2024-2026:
Trial programs exploring creative sustainability education.
20-week program in 2027:
Planned full-time course combining Bildung and real-world projects.
Collab with MBO, HBO & WO:
Cross-level learning bridging vocational, applied and academic education.
Bildung Climate School
The Bildung Climate School is an inclusive, holistic sustainability education program for students from MBO, HBO and WO studying and working together in an immersive environment.
BCS pilots 2024-2026
Trial programs exploring creative sustainability education.
20-week program in 2027
Planned full-time course combining Bildung and real-world projects.
MBO, HBO & WO
Cross-level learning bridging vocational, applied and academic education.
Listen to the Voices Behind Bildung Climate School on Spotify
Explore how the ideas behind the Bildung Climate School come to life in thought-provoking podcast conversations. From climate education to future learning design, these episodes feature key voices like Ginie Servant-Miklos and dive deep into the philosophy, vision and practice of transformative education.
BCS pilots 2024-2026
20-week program in 2027
Collab with MBO, HBO & WO
The Bildung Climate School is the first sustainability education program in the Netherlands to bring together students from vocational (MBO), applied (HBO) and university (WO) education.
The program combines the Experimental Pedagogics educational framework with the Bildung philosophy and core themes of sustainability, transitions and future studies. The first pilot of 9 weeks took place at the Hef House in the Feijenoord district of Rotterdam from May-July 2024.
There will be two more pilots in 2025 and a trial run of a 10-week full time program in 2026, leading up to a 20-week full-time program in 2027.
The program is coordinated by Ginie Servant Miklos and Rutger Engels (Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences).
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Check out the Bildung Climate School Students on YouTube
Check out Bildung Climate School on Spotify
