"Every Student - Every Subject - Every Classroom"

Providing Continuing Professional Development for teachers to embed Education for Sustainable Development in their Learning and Teaching

The Take 1 Programme is funded by the Department of Education in Ireland

May Day for Sustainability
Join the challenge - create your Metre of Meadow
The Take 1 Programme of training is promoted as a mechanism for embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in learning and teaching in Irish second level schools. By mapping the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the learning outcomes of subject specifications, the programme not only raises awareness for students of the SDGs themselves, but also highlights “the implications of these goals for their individual and group lives, including the responsibilities individuals and institutions have to assume to help achieve them” (UNESCO, 2020, p. 59). The Take 1 Programme demonstrates an approach which moves away from a focus on addressing specific global challenges in isolation and uses the SDGs  to highlight the interdependent and interconnected nature of the world in which we live.  

The Take 1 Programme aims to support schools to communicate, raise awareness of, and embed Education for Sustainable Development as part of a school wide curriculum, through the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Take 1 Programme objectives:

  • Provide professional learning opportunities to engage with and understand Education for Sustainable Development                                                                                                                                                             
  • Explore opportunities to link formal, non-formal and extra-curricular activities to the achievement of the Global Goals                                                                                                                                                      
  • Support the inclusion of Education for Sustainable Development as part of school policy and wellbeing programmes
About the Take 1 programme image
May Day for Sustainability 2024
May 7th

May Day for Sustainability is an opportunity for schools to commence, develop and celebrate their engagement with Education for Sustainable Development in the school community. Each year the Take 1 Programme poses some interactive challenges for schools as part of this celebratory event.
In 2024 the Metre of Meadow campaign will continue. The 'Metre of Meadow' challenges schools to find a green space in their school environment, which they can allow to grow and develop without any tending or maintenance. Progress can be shared on X/twitter using the hashtags #take1mayday and #take1programme , showing how the 'metre' has grown and what birds, bees, flowers have appeared. Schools aren't limited to just one metre so if you have the space - let it grow!

The Take 1 Programme supports schools to engage with Education for Sustainable Development through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as part of their learning and teaching experiences.  The Take 1 Programme methodology maps the SDGs to learning outcomes in Junior Cycle subjects, demonstrating how teaching and learning about sustainability can be aligned to existing subject syllabuses.
Using this approach, every student, through every subject, in every classroom, can learn about the interconnected nature of Education for Sustainable Development. May Day for Sustainability celebrates these teaching and learning opportunities, by creating a focus on 'whole school' engagement.

View the Gallery to see some of the interesting activities from the campaigns in previous years


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Take 1 Programme Online Training 2024

The Take 1 Programme is funded by the Department of Education to support schools to embed Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in learning and teaching as part of a school wide initiative. This after school online introductory session runs for 90 minutes. Participants will also be included in the Take 1 Programme mailing list and can avail of any additional and future supports. Further details outlined on the flyer and training dates for February/March 2024, are listed on the booking form which can be completed and returned to take1programme@outlook.com


  • Date: 06/02/2024 05:00 PM - 06/03/2024 05:00 PM
  • Location Online Event

Past Events

TitleDateLocation
Take 1 Week 2023 20 Nov 2023
May Day for Sustainability 2023 09 May 2023
Take 1 Programme Training - Schools Pilot 19 Jan 2023
May Day for Sustainability 2022 10 May 2022Online Event
May Day for Sustainability 2021 11 May 2021Tipperary ETB

Read more about Education for Sustainability and the Take 1 Programme at the links below

  • Dublin, Leinster, Ireland