Global Schools Advocates Program 2026: Online Opportunity for Teachers Worldwide
Teachers, educators and school leaders interested in sustainable development and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) can now apply for Cohort 8 of the Global Schools Advocates Program 2026.
The international professional development initiative provides educators with training, resources, mentorship and opportunities to connect with teachers around the world. The program is delivered primarily online, making it accessible to eligible educators regardless of their location.
Global Schools Advocates Program 2026
The Global Schools Advocates Program is designed to help educators bring sustainable development into classrooms, school activities and wider school communities.
Participants learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and develop practical approaches for incorporating Education for Sustainable Development into teaching.
The initiative has been developed using insights from more than 220 sustainable development experts and 40+ educators, creating a program focused on practical learning and classroom application.
For Cohort 8, applications are open to eligible teachers and educators worldwide.
Program: Global Schools Advocates Program – Cohort 8
Location: Worldwide / Online
Application deadline: 18 September 2026
Format: Primarily online
What Will Global Schools Advocates Do?
Participants become local advocates for sustainable development within their school communities.
Rather than simply completing an online course, Advocates are encouraged to take what they learn and introduce sustainable development concepts to students, colleagues, school departments and leadership.
They can organise workshops, share educational resources and encourage other teachers to become involved in Education for Sustainable Development.
The program does not require participants to follow a single prescribed curriculum. Instead, educators can adapt activities and resources according to their students, school priorities and local community context.
Online Training
A key component of the program is an online training course designed to strengthen educators’ understanding of sustainable development and ESD.
The training introduces participants to the SDGs and provides practical methods for integrating sustainable development into classroom teaching.
The course is primarily asynchronous, allowing participants to complete much of the learning at their own pace. Optional synchronous lectures are also available.
The training is expected to take approximately 10–15 hours.
Successful participants receive the Global Schools Advocate title as well as access to the Global Schools Advocate Toolkit.
Bringing Sustainable Development Into Schools
After completing the training, Advocates are expected to help introduce ESD within their school communities.
This can involve delivering an ESD workshop for colleagues, sharing resources with teachers and encouraging wider participation in sustainable development activities.
Participants can also use lesson plans and activity guides from the Advocate Toolkit to develop classroom activities.
The aim is to help students understand global sustainability challenges and encourage them to take meaningful action.
Global Learning and Networking
Another benefit of the program is the opportunity to connect with educators from different countries.
Advocates can engage with educator mentors, participate in monthly professional development sessions and exchange ideas about teaching sustainable development.
This international network can provide educators with opportunities to learn from different approaches and share their own experiences.
Participants may also have opportunities to showcase their advocacy work through international education and sustainability platforms.
Potential visibility opportunities mentioned include the International Conference on Sustainable Development, Vatican Youth Symposium and ECOSOC Youth Forum.
Some participants may also have their work considered for inclusion in the Global Schools Case-Study Guide.
Program Benefits
Accepted participants can receive several benefits, including:
- Free online training in Education for Sustainable Development
- Monthly online workshops and conversations
- Access to a global educator network
- Structured mentorship from an experienced Advocate
- The Global Schools Advocates Toolkit
- More than 17 supporting documents and resources
- A formal Certificate of Completion
- Opportunities to share ESD initiatives internationally
- Potential visibility through global education and sustainability platforms
These benefits can be particularly useful for teachers who want to expand their professional development while introducing sustainability-focused teaching into their schools.
Who Is Eligible?
The program is open to primary and secondary school teachers worldwide.
Educators participating in volunteering programs such as UN Volunteers, Fulbright and Teach For All may also apply.
Applicants should have a sufficiently strong level of English to complete the training and participate in the international educator network.
No previous experience with the Sustainable Development Goals is required. This makes the opportunity potentially suitable for teachers who are interested in sustainability but are still developing their knowledge in the area.
Applicants should, however, demonstrate a genuine interest in the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as a willingness to learn, collaborate and engage with other educators.
Time Commitment
Participants should be prepared to commit approximately 5–10 hours per week to the program.
This time may be spent completing learning activities, developing ideas, collaborating with other educators, experimenting with sustainable development approaches and building ESD activities within the school community.
The program therefore requires a meaningful commitment alongside normal professional responsibilities.
Why Consider the Program?
For teachers interested in sustainability, climate education and innovative teaching approaches, the Global Schools Advocates Program provides an opportunity to develop relevant skills without needing to travel.
The online format also allows educators from different countries to participate in the same international learning community.
Importantly, participants are not required to have previous SDG experience. The program is designed to provide the foundational knowledge and practical tools needed to begin integrating sustainable development into education.
How to Apply
Applications for Cohort 8 are open until 18 September 2026.
Interested educators should review the full program information and eligibility requirements before completing the application form.
More information: Global Schools Program application page
Application deadline: 18 September 2026
Teachers and school leaders who are passionate about preparing students to understand sustainability challenges and take positive action may find this a valuable professional development opportunity.
Key Details at a Glance
Program: Global Schools Advocates Program – Cohort 8
Audience: Teachers, educators and school leaders
Eligible location: Worldwide
Delivery: Online
Training: Approximately 10–15 hours
Expected commitment: 5–10 hours per week
Previous SDG experience: Not required
Benefits: Training, mentorship, global network, toolkit and certificate
Deadline: 18 September 2026
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
