Program Overview

Sustainable Development Academy | SDA 2026

The Sustainable Development Academy (SDA) allows participants to engage critically and effectively with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The overall goal of the program is to enable participants to adopt creative approaches to achieving sustainability goals in their communities.

Program Details

• Timeframe: July 6-17, 2026 (plus a preparatory digital meeting beforehand)
• Registration Deadline: June 15, 2026 (or on request)
• Location: University of Potsdam, Campus Neues Palais
• Language: English
• Target Group: BA & MA Students. Everyone else interested is welcome (we advise to get in touch with us to see if the programme suits you).
• Credits: Academic value of 3 ECTS credits (depending on the requirements of your home university)
• Fee: 850,00 €

Content

At the start of the summer school, participants will be introduced to the topic of the SDGs. They will learn about the scope and interdependent nature of the 17 sustainability goals. A central question will be the status quo of the implementation process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, nationally and internationally.

Afterwards, participants will explore SDG 12 and 15 in greater depth and will get insights with regard to handling and implementation of the topics under focus.

Potsdam, a city of science close to Berlin, is home to leading research institutions and initiatives in the fields of climate research and sustainability. Accompanying field trips and site visits allow participants to meet local practitioners, scientists, and experts within their field of action and facilitate discussions and dialogues with those actors.

During the entire program, participants work independently in groups on a real-life challenge. Various workshop formats and guidance from experts support the approach to this task.

Schedule

The program consists of 10 days from Monday to Friday with an average number of 35 hours per week, consisting of morning lectures, study groups, workshops, and field trips.

Supporting & Cultural Program

• Get-Together at a student pub
• City Tour Potsdam & Berlin
• Various field trips

Program Fee & Housing

The program fee is 850,00 € (including all courses, course material, city tours, certificate of completion, entire supporting & cultural program). Please note that the program fee does not include accommodation or insurance costs. Participants look for accommodation individually and bear the costs themselves.

Registration & Requirements

• Language level requirements: B2 Level of English
• Please also refer to our conditions of participation
• Active, intense, unforgettable: Our summer program is intensive, exciting, and active – with fascinating excursions, some long days, and plenty of movement. This is how we create unforgettable experiences while maintaining the program's high quality.

Participant Voices

Tamta K., SDA Participant 2023 from Georgia "I have not only gained valuable insights into sustainable development practices but have also forged lifelong friendships and expanded my professional network."

Eugenia.O, Participant of the SDA 2021 & 2022 from Argentina "The SDA is also the people we have met, all around the world (here Rebecca from USA, me from Argentina, and Cris from Brasil), the laughs we have shared, all based on our sustainability conviction."