This indicator shows the number of institutions participating in the Eco-Schools Programme in Slovenia in the period of school years from 1995/96 to 2015/16, the percentage of institutions participating in the Eco-Schools Programme, as well as the number of institutions participating in the Eco-Schools Programme in selected EU countries.

The International Foundation founds the international Eco-Schools Programme for Environmental Education. In Slovenia the DOVES Society – FEE Slovenia runs the programme since 1996.

The Eco-Schools Programme is the largest network of children, kindergarten teachers and school teachers who transfer and integrate sustainable development principles into everyday learning and life. The Programme fosters systematic environmental education and awareness among youth, particularly regarding the importance of environmental protection and human health. Work in the Programme follows the Seven Steps methodology, which are as follows: form an eco-committee, carry out an environmental review, develop an action plan, monitor and evaluate, implement curriculum work, inform and involve others and produce an eco-code. (Guidelines of education for sustainable development from pre-school to university level, 2010)

When an institution carries out activities and follows the seven-step methodology, it is internationally recognized and rewarded with an environmental Green Flag Award as a certificate of meeting the criteria of the international Eco-Schools Programme. The European Commission and the United Nations Organisation support the Programme of the eco-schools. In Slovenia, environmental education goals are part of the national environmental education curriculum.

Since 1995, when the Eco-Schools Programme began running in Slovenia, the number of participating schools has been constantly growing. In the school year 2018/19, 722 eco-schools were included in the Programme. Over the 24-year period, the Eco-Schools Programme made exceptional progress as the eco-schools network expanded throughout the territory of Slovenia and covered several educational age levels and institution types. Eco-schools represent 35% of all schools in Slovenia, which means that environmental education is becoming part of Slovenian children’s everyday life.

The holistic and systematic approach significantly contributes to the success and distribution of the Programme, which enables pre-school and school teachers to integrate the contents and activities into the everyday educational programme and adapt the activities to planned work. Globally, the success of the programme can also be attributed to partnership with FEE International and UNEP as a global environmental protection knowledge base, particularly in developing countries. It offers various practical solutions and incentives for environmental awareness both inside and outside of schools. The Eco-Schools Programme promotes the principles of democracy, openness and involvement of various stakeholders. Therefore, it also promotes a democratic citizenship culture, in addition to environmental education.

The international Eco-Schools Programme has become one of the most recognised and widespread environmental education programmes in almost all EU Member States and the network is expanding in other continents. Currently, 67 countries from all continents participate; in 2003, South Africa was the first country outside Europe to become a FEE member.

Financing of the Eco-Schools Programme

In most European countries, the Eco-Schools Programme is financed mostly or exclusively through budgetary funds provided by relevant ministries. In Slovenia, the Programme is financed through fees paid by participating institutions, sponsorship funds and, to a lesser extent, through funds provided by ministries responsible for education and the environment.

Slovenia has a special status within the international Eco-Schools Programme, as it is considered one of the most successful countries and is used as an example to others. In recent years, the topics proposed in the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development have been included in eco-school activities in Slovenia in addition to regular environmental education. (UNECE, 2005)