The BLK ‘21’ programme in Germany: a ‘Gestaltungskompetenz’‐based model for Education for Sustainable Development

Abstract

This article aims to describe the German BLK ‘21’ Programme (State—Federal States Commission for Educational Planning and Research Promotion [BLK]) which supported the introduction of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into schools from 1999 to 2004. Its political basis, conceptualisation, implementation and results are described. Furthermore, the article gives an overview of the growing international significance of ESD and its perspectives in Germany.