How do we equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and courage to protect the Earth’s life-support systems? How do we move past the doom and gloom that too often prevents those who care about climate change from taking action?
A new partnership between the Villars Institute and HundrED, announced this October at the Stockholm Food Forum, will raise the bar for eco-ambition. Together, we are launching a much-needed initiative to catalyse a global movement in planetary health education, equipping schools to tackle the biggest challenge of our time.
Why Planetary Health Education Matters
“The science is very clear that our Earth’s natural systems are under unprecedented stress. The question for educators is how will we support a new generation to act as responsible stewards to restore our planet's health ... I think this is an exciting opportunity for education to accelerate the transition to a net zero, nature positive future,” said Lee Howell, Executive Director of the Villars Institute.
I think this is an exciting opportunity for education to accelerate the transition to a net zero, nature positive future
“Education is one of the most powerful vehicles for driving societal changes. We just need more inspiring examples. Through this collaboration, we want to transition from awareness to action when it comes to planetary health and showcase impactful solutions with concrete results from real classrooms. By doing so, we believe we can inspire and equip more educators and students to shape a sustainable future,” said Lasse Leponiemi, HundrED.
The Collaboration
Through this partnership, Villars Institute and HundrED are launching a community dedicated to advancing planetary health education. Their collaboration will:
- Spotlight impactful solutions by identifying and showcasing the most effective and scalable evidence-based education innovations from around the world that translate planetary health principles into classroom-ready action.
- Foster cross-sector dialogue by convening educators, funders, and policymakers to share insights and co-create pathways to impact and scale.
- Accelerate innovation by supporting promising solutions.
The Call for Innovations Is Open Until February
From October 2025 to June 2026, HundrED will identify and validate 10 educational solutions that empower schools to act for planetary health. These innovators will be invited to present their work at the Villars Symposium 2026, where they can connect with funders, partners, and policy leaders.
Selected projects will also receive tailored support to accelerate their growth and impact. The innovators will be featured on HundrED channels and showcased at Villars’ flagship events in 2027, highlighting their results and the real-world impact of their work.
Join the Movement and Apply
Are you uniting education and planetary science? Great! We invite you to be part of this effort. Learn more about the call here and apply.
