Summary Report: Strategic Foresight for Sustainability (SF4S) and Educational Training for Green Skills
- Iain Bitran
- Jun 23
- 1 min read
The SF4S project developed six academic courses to equip higher education students with strategic foresight and sustainability skills aligned with Europe’s green and digital transition goals. Rooted in challenges identified through over 130 stakeholder interviews across agri-food, health, and mobility sectors, the courses incorporated future literacy, design thinking, and innovation-driven methodologies.
The six academic courses included:
• Design Methodology and Empowering Change (DSKD)
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation (HMKW)
• Foresight and Strategic Design (EDHEC), including a hackathon
• Corporate Entrepreneurship and Design and Design Studio: System (TalTech)
Delivered across multiple iterations, the courses targeted BA and MA students in design, business, and technology disciplines. They emphasized real-world application, interdisciplinary collaboration, and iterative learning through cross-institutional feedback loops. Peer-to-peer learning, scenario development, systems thinking, and strategic foresight tools were central pedagogical elements.
Cross-fertilization between course teams enhanced course quality and coherence. Students tackled authentic sustainability challenges, collaborated with industry stakeholders, and applied foresight techniques to envision and plan for preferable futures.
With over 400 students engaged, these courses significantly contributed to building green and future-relevant skills. They helped bridge the gap between education and industry by embedding practical foresight tools into curricula and encouraging the development of entrepreneurial and sustainable mindsets.
The report highlights strong learner engagement and the successful adaptation of foresight pedagogy to academic contexts, supporting the EU’s long-term aim of a sustainability-literate, innovation-capable workforce.
🔗Read the report here:
