Signatory Spotlight: Corvinus University of Budapest

An Innovative Learning Approach to Sustainability

In September 2024, Corvinus University of Budapest introduced a new format for its Sustainability Topic of the Month project, incorporating monthly challenges focused on sustainability and personal responsibility in the field of sustainable transportation, food consumption, waste management and conscious holidays. As part of the Global Sustainability Challenges course in the Business and Management bachelor programme, students completed a set number of sustainability-related challenges, logged their progress, and reflected on their experiences. The completion of these challenges was assessed, and the points awarded contributed to the final exam requirements.

This innovative, challenge-based approach proved highly successful, with 62% of students voluntarily engaging. It provided a practical, hands-on learning experience, encouraging students to adopt sustainable behaviors. Over four months, 327 first-year students would take part, completing activities at home and documenting their experiences through journaling and essays.

The effectiveness of the methodology was assessed through surveys at the beginning and end of the course, measuring changes in students’ attitudes and behaviors. Results showed a lasting impact, with 54% of students continuing the sustainability actions they engaged in during the course. Due to this initiative, more students participated in university events related to SDGs. In recognition of its success, Corvinus University of Budapest internally awarded the initiative for being an innovative and effective teaching practice that promotes student engagement, improves learning outcomes, and contributes to high quality university education.

Long-Term Impact and Scalability of Challenge-Based Learning

A challenge-based learning approach can have a lasting impact at both the individual and university levels. If these extracurricular activities provide students with a structured system, concrete action opportunities, and a sense of social responsibility in their first semester, the university's sustainability goals can be achieved. This approach can be implemented at other universities, and within corporate sustainability programmes. Furthermore, we can reasonably expect that students will continue to maintain and practice these habits—or at least some of them—throughout their future lives.

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