Community-Based Learning in Sustainability: Key Implementation Factors from Educational Experiences in Spain

Abstract

In recent decades, a range of active learning methodologies have emerged as key to promoting sustainability learning among students, fostering their participation and connection with their surroundings. Among them, community-based learning is conceived as a pedagogical strategy aimed at strengthening commitment to sustainability and collective action, fostering collaboration between schools and community stakeholders.

This article presents a qualitative study conducted in Spain, based on interviews with 16 leaders of 14 community-based learning projects on sustainability. The aim was to identify the key factors that influence the implementation and development of these projects, analysing facilitators, obstacles, challenges and opportunities from the experiences and perspectives of their promoters.

The findings reveal four groups of facilitators: institutional and organisational, human and community-based, pedagogical and impact-related. Key enabling factors include political and technical support from public administrations, the creation of networks and strategic alliances, stable funding, and the motivation of teachers and the wider educational community. Obstacles are associated with organisational and structural constraints (rigid schedules, bureaucracy, teacher workload), a lack of financial and training resources, and political changes that affect project viability. The main challenges relate to ensuring continuity and impact, as well as strengthening inter-institutional coordination.

The study concludes that community-based learning in sustainability contributes to teachers’ professional development, to student agency, and to the development of civic competences oriented towards socio-environmental transformation. It also highlights its potential to empower students in climate action. The main limitation lies in the contextual and bounded nature of the projects analysed. Looking ahead, the study points to lines of work linked to strengthening intersectoral governance models and whole-school approaches, as well as to the intergenerational dimension and the promotion of inclusive participatory processes.

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