Global Schools Program
The Global Schools Program is an UN SDSN non-profit initiative, founded in 2018, that provides free SDG-aligned curricula, training, and educator resources to roughly 2,223 K-12 schools across 107 countries through a volunteer advocate network and strategic partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Global Schools Program does
The Global Schools Program is a non-profit K-12 education initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York with operations in Paris. It supports approximately 2,223 pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools across 107 countries in integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into curricula, classroom practice, and school culture. The program delivers its value through a free, open-source content stack — lesson plans, activity guides, three volumes of case study guidebooks, the Greening STEAM Education framework, SDG 7 teaching toolkits, and the Planet Rescuers gamified Minecraft Education Edition game — rather than through a technology product or licensing arrangement.
The program is delivered via a community-led and partnership-driven model. A trained network of 2,463 GSP Advocates recruits and onboards schools locally and has trained 51,637 teachers, reaching 432,300 students and 76,140 educators globally. Distribution is amplified by strategic partnerships with Siemens Energy (Schools for Goal 7 initiative), Possible Lab, Planet Rescuers, AFS Intercultural Programs, Penn State, Knowledge Works, and alignment with UNESCO's Global Action Program on ESD. Marketing and engagement channels span the program's website and blog, four major social media platforms, an email newsletter, international conferences (COP26, ECOSOC Youth Forum, AFS Youth Assembly), and recurring virtual professional development sessions.
The Global Schools Program does not generate product revenue. It is funded by institutional donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations (including Siemens Energy, the Foundation for Environmental Education, BKM Foundation, Mille Foundation, IESEG School of Management, and Bluechip), with all resources provided free of charge to schools and educators. The organization received the HundrED Innovators 2025 and World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Award in 2025, and its former Director Sam Loni was recognized by NAAEE's EE 30 Under 30 in 2020; current Director Amanda Abrom co-authored the April 2026 release of Case Study Guidebook Volume 3.
Global Schools Program firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Schools Program
- Legal name
- Global Schools Program
- Website
- https://globalschoolsprogram.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Global Schools Program is an UN SDSN non-profit initiative, founded in 2018, that provides free SDG-aligned curricula, training, and educator resources to roughly 2,223 K-12 schools across 107 countries through a volunteer advocate network and strategic partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Schools Program industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Sustainability Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- International & Comparative Education Policy Organizations (EDADADAL)
Keywords
Where Global Schools Program is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Global Schools Program business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donor and Sponsor Funding: The Global Schools Program is funded by institutional donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations. The website lists donors and sponsors including unnamed partners and logos. Funding supports program operations, resource development, advocate training, and school network expansion. The organization is an initiative of UN SDSN and operates as a nonprofit education program with no revenue-generating product.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free access for all schools and educators |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Global Schools Program product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Schools Program provides free SDG-aligned curriculum resources, lesson plans, activity guides, case studies, professional development sessions, and trained advocate support to help K-12 schools integrate Education for Sustainable Development into classroom, schoolwide, and community levels. It also delivers specialized initiatives such as the Schools for Goal 7 program (with Siemens Energy) and the Planet Rescuers Minecraft Education game for energy and climate learning.
Product overview
Global Schools Program is an award-winning international primary and secondary education program operating as a unified platform that supports schools worldwide with training, curriculum, and methodologies to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into education. The core program includes lesson plans, activities guides, case studies, and professional development sessions. Key specialized offerings include Schools for Goal 7 (a gamified energy education initiative with Siemens Energy featuring the Planet Rescuers Minecraft Education game), SDG7 Teaching Resources, and Greening STEAM Education activities. The program maintains an SDG 7 Educators Committee of international experts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Schools for Goal 7: A project in partnership with Siemens Energy aimed at training teachers and students on energy and sustainable development through gamified curricula, targeting 100 teachers and 3,000 students.
Products and services
- Global Schools Program An award-winning international primary and secondary education program working through a network of approximately 2,200 pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, supporting educators with training, curriculum, and methodologies to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into education from classroom to policy level.
- Schools for Goal 7 A project by Global Schools in partnership with Siemens Energy, providing gamified curricula and training to teachers and students on energy and sustainable development, covering topics such as the energy transition, renewable energy, climate change, and sustainability.
- Planet Rescuers A Minecraft Education Edition video game in which students learn to tap into their creativity and innovation to build a sustainable world through the generation and consumption of clean energy and their efforts to preserve the environment. Used as part of the Schools for Goal 7 initiative.
- SDG7 Teaching Resources Comprehensive teaching materials including a Guide on Renewable Energy and the Energy Transition, an SDG7 Activities Toolkit, and Printable Worksheets designed for schools and educators to teach about sustainable energy.
- Greening STEAM Education STEAM-based activities connected to the SDGs for primary, lower/upper, and upper secondary education, including activities such as creating fashion from recycled materials, renewable energy challenges, ecosystem studies, and AI-based deforestation identification.
- Lesson Plans Downloadable teaching materials customized by grade level, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, including comics, TED videos, grade-wise lesson plans, and games for classroom use.
- Activities Guides Activity guides and toolkit resources for educators to implement Education for Sustainable Development in classrooms.
- Case Study Guidebook for Educators Case study guidebooks documenting educator and student experiences implementing Education for Sustainable Development projects across varying levels of curricular integration, including implementation strategies for primary and secondary education.
- Professional Development Sessions Online professional development sessions for educators exploring arts education, sustainable development, and innovative teaching approaches, bringing together educators from multiple countries.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,223 schools served across 107 countries
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Schools Program
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Global Schools Program technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Global Schools Program partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Siemens EnergycoreFlagship 'Schools for Goal 7' initiative in partnership with Siemens Energy and SDSN, providing gamified curriculum and training on energy transition and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) to 100 teachers and 3,000+ students internationally. Features Minecraft Education Planet Rescuers platform, STEAM activities, and student showcases at events like ECOSOC Youth Forum.
- Possible LabcoreCo-host of the Schools for Goal 7 youth showcase at ECOSOC Youth Forum, supporting student innovation and clean energy education alongside Global Schools and Siemens Energy.
- Planet RescuerscoreMinecraft Education Edition game partner providing the Planet Rescuers gamified learning platform used in Schools for Goal 7 initiative, enabling students to build sustainable worlds through clean energy concepts.
- AFS Intercultural ProgramscoreGlobal Schools has been a program partner of the AFS Youth Assembly for three consecutive years (2022–2024), hosting workshops on Youth-Driven Innovation in Global Education at the annual AFS Youth Assembly in New York City.
- Penn StateminorGlobal Schools Program collaborated with Knowledge Works and Penn State (member of SDSN USA) for the inaugural Penn State K-12 Sustainability Summit, supporting school participants in integrating sustainability into school systems using Penn State and GSP resources.
- Knowledge WorksminorCo-host of the inaugural Penn State K-12 Sustainability Summit alongside Global Schools and Penn State, focused on sustainability integration in K-12 education.
- Subject To ClimateminorListed as a partner organization on the Global Schools website, contributing to climate education resources and outreach.
- Al Akhawayn UniversityminorAcademic partner university listed on Global Schools website, contributing to the program's academic and research dimensions.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) World SchoolminorIB World School is listed as a partner, aligning with IB's PYP and MYP curricula frameworks that Global Schools ESD resources complement.
- Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)minorFEE is listed as a donor/sponsor partner supporting Global Schools Program operations and resource development for sustainability education.
- University of Education WinnebaminorAcademic institution listed as a partner supporting Global Schools Program activities, particularly in the African region.
- UNESCOcoreGlobal Schools Program aligns with UNESCO's Global Action Program on Education for Sustainable Development (GAP on ESD), contributing to UNESCO's framework for embedding sustainability into education systems globally.
- UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)coreThe Global Schools Program is an initiative of the UN SDSN. SDSN provides institutional backing, governance, and a global network of universities and organizations supporting practical solutions for sustainable development, including implementation of the SDGs and Paris Climate Agreement.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Global Schools Program competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- TakingITGlobal: Global youth engagement platform providing educational content, activism toolkits, and teacher resources on sustainability and global citizenship. Comparable to GSP in offering SDG-aligned K-12 content through a free digital platform.
- Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots: Youth-led environmental and humanitarian program active in 60+ countries, similar to GSP in mobilizing students around SDGs and community projects at the K-12 level, though narrower in curriculum scope.
- Ocean Wise (Ocean Education): Ocean conservation and education organization offering K-12 programs including classroom resources, youth leadership, and teacher training — overlapping with GSP in educator-training and student-led sustainability projects.
- EarthEcho International: Youth-led environmental education organization founded by Philippe Cousteau Jr., providing curriculum, fellowships, and youth programs to students globally. Comparable to GSP in K-12 environmental mission and youth engagement.
Regional players
- AFS Intercultural Programs: Global intercultural learning organization offering youth exchanges, hosted programs, and curriculum — a listed GTM partner of GSP (three-year partnership on AFS Youth Assembly) with comparable global K-12 audience and UN-adjacent positioning.
Direct peers
- UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet): UNESCO's global network of 10,000+ educational institutions across 180+ countries that integrate ESD and sustainability into curricula. Directly comparable to GSP in mission, target audience (K-12 schools), and UN-system institutional positioning.
- Subject To Climate: Climate-change curriculum provider for K-12 educators offering free lesson plans and PD resources; a listed GSP partner organization and directly comparable in free curriculum content, climate focus, and K-12 audience.
- Eco-Schools (Foundation for Environmental Education): FEE's flagship ESD program operating in 50+ countries with structured curriculum, student-led projects, and award certification for K-12 schools. Closely comparable to GSP in approach, student engagement model, and listed FEE as a donor/sponsor partner of GSP.
Broad incumbents
- Ashoka Changemaker Schools: Global network of K-12 schools focused on empathy, leadership, and changemaking; comparable to GSP in building a school network around social impact outcomes, with broader mission beyond sustainability.
- WWF Education: World Wildlife Fund's global K-12 environmental education programming offering lesson plans, school partnerships, and youth campaigns. Comparable to GSP in sustainability-education mission for primary and secondary schools, with broader geographic and financial footprint.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Global Schools Program social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Schools Program financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Schools Program leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Global Schools Program funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Schools Program M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Schools Program
What does Global Schools Program do?
Global Schools Program provides free SDG-aligned curriculum resources, lesson plans, activity guides, case studies, professional development sessions, and trained advocate support to help K-12 schools integrate Education for Sustainable Development into classroom, schoolwide, and community levels. It also delivers specialized initiatives such as the Schools for Goal 7 program (with Siemens Energy) and the Planet Rescuers Minecraft Education game for energy and climate learning.
Is Global Schools Program a public or private company?
Global Schools Program is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Global Schools Program founded?
Global Schools Program was founded in 2018.
Where is Global Schools Program based?
Global Schools Program is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Global Schools Program make money?
One revenue line is on record: donor and Sponsor Funding.
Who are Global Schools Program's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are TakingITGlobal, Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots, Ocean Wise (Ocean Education) and EarthEcho International. AFS Intercultural Programs is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), Subject To Climate and Eco-Schools (Foundation for Environmental Education). Broad incumbents are Ashoka Changemaker Schools and WWF Education.
Does Global Schools Program have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Schools Program.
What industry is Global Schools Program in?
Global Schools Program's product category is K-12 Sustainability Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADALAA, Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs, with a secondary code of EDADADAL, International & Comparative Education Policy Organizations. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.