The Eco-Schools programme was developed in 1994 on the basis of the need for involving young people in finding solutions to environmental and sustainable development challenges at the local level, as identified at the UN Conference on Environment and Development of 1992. The programme was initiated by member organisations of the Foundation for Environmental Education with the support of the European Commission.

The programme is now being implemented throughout the world: there are schools in Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania and Asia. The number of Eco-Schools is growing as more and more schools take up the challenge and work towards improving their environment through education and action. Sixty-seven countries are now signed up to the Eco-Schools programme, sharing the same methodology and concept, and are identified by the Eco-Schools logo and Green Flag.

The programme’s greatest achievement is arguably the fact that it produces generation after generation of sustainably minded, environmentally conscious people. These individuals will carry the behavioural patterns they uptake under the auspices of Eco-Schools with them through life, in turn teaching the next generation the habits to make a difference.