Education has the potential to contribute to shaping a better future. So, how do we unlock that potential in practice? HundrED and VVOB, an international non-profit organisation with Belgian roots, focused on education for development, are launching a new Spotlight call for innovations.
"We hope to identify practical, non-Western solutions that understand education as a catalyst of societal change."
Submit your innovation to the Spotlight on Education for Societal Change by December 8th.
Through this call, VVOB wants to learn from innovative solutions in the Global South while also strengthening its community and network across the Global South.
“We hope to identify practical, non-Western solutions that understand education as a catalyst of societal change. We are particularly interested in approaches that contribute to decolonising education and amplifying grassroots voices. We want to find innovations that can be adopted by educators and school leaders in different contexts, both here in Belgium and throughout the Global South. Seeing the classroom as a microcosm of society, it becomes a space where learners can creatively reflect on reshaping their world - whether we’re talking about climate action, peace-building, inclusivity, or something else. We are excited to find holistic solutions from curricula and assessment tools to teacher development, that help learners and communities thrive,” says Steffi Vermeire, from VVOB.
“This is an excellent opportunity to highlight solutions that encourage learners to take action on societal issues impacting their day-to-day lives. It is critical that young people have the tools and skills to effect lasting change,” says Mariah Voutilainen, researcher at HundrED.
How to get involved?
The Spotlight call will open on September 29 and close on December 8th, 2025.
If you are working on an educational practice in the Global South that catalyses societal change - through approaches such as peace education, gender equity, inclusivity, climate action, or social justice - you might be a strong fit for this Spotlight on Education for Societal Change.
We welcome innovative educational solutions from a variety of backgrounds, including those that:
- Come from grassroots educators, NGOs, CSOs, non-profits, for-profits and community-based organisations ;
- Serve learners from early childhood through secondary education and vocational training;
- Support teacher professional development and training;
- Operate in formal and non-formal settings (such as after school programs, community-based programmes, and practical training);
- Work across public and/or private sectors.
Selected innovators will gain international exposure, expert recognition and an opportunity to join a community of practice, led by VVOB, alongside other impactful innovators working in this space. And who knows, we might be partnering up in the future for a specific project opportunity!
Not an innovator, but interested in the theme? Stay tuned! We’ll share insights on the selected innovators and open spaces also for our Advisory Board, where you can review submissions.
