Three Viennese schools win SDG Awards: This is how they save the earth!

Three Viennese schools win SDG Awards: This is how they save the earth!

There is reason to be happy in Vienna! This year, the city's education department honored three schools with the renowned SDG Award. This award recognizes outstanding school projects that address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a lot of commitment and creative ideas, the winning schools have demonstrated how they can initiate sustainable changes that go far beyond the school boundaries. Informed about the award ceremony meinkreis.at.

The Aspern elementary school, the BRG/BORG II Lessinggasse and the BRGORG 15 were honored. The Aspern elementary school has set standards with its “Earthweek & Earthday” project. During an exciting themed week, workshops and hands-on stations were organized, where insect hotels and wind turbines were built - a great opportunity for the children to actively engage with climate protection!

Innovative projects for sustainability

But the other prize winners also submitted great ideas. The students of BRG/BORG II Lessinggasse set up a permanent exchange room where clothing, books and other items can be exchanged or even purchased for donations. These donations flow into environmental projects and charitable organizations - a win-win situation for everyone involved!

The BRGORG 15 shined with its Erasmus project “PETS – Protecting the Environment and Teaching Sustainability”, which is carried out in collaboration with partner countries such as Turkey, Greece, Germany and Norway. The priorities are very topical: recycling, renewable energies, vegan nutrition, sustainable tourism and waste prevention are on the agenda. These initiatives are documented through innovative media formats such as videos, pinboards and even a digital Padlet diary.

Political engagement in Pichelmayergasse

As part of promoting an active political interest among students, Pichelmayergasse recently organized a panel discussion in which several politicians and students from grades six to eight took part. Important topics such as education, migration and equality were discussed, which were selected by the students themselves. The event was a complete success and not only gave the young people the opportunity to voice their concerns, but also to take selfies with the politicians!

In a total of two hours, specific questions were worked out, e.g. about the need for action in the school system and the protection of LGBTQ+ people. The students have certainly developed a great interest in a politically lively debate like this, which is also visible in the support from the respective school. For more information you can visit the school's website: brg-pichelmayergasse.at.

The SDG Awards 2025 are proof that Vienna not only teaches in schools, but also lives it. These projects show wonderful approaches to how students can actively contribute to the positive development of their surroundings. We can't wait to see what the next generation comes up with!