RCE-East Midlands is the East Midlands Regional Centre of Expertise for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) – focussed on collaborative projects that work towards a cleaner, fairer and healthier society through learning.

The global RCE network was formed in response to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD 2005-2014) implementation plan. Since 2014, RCEs remain committed by implementing the Global Action Programme (GAP) on ESD that has five priority areas:

  • advancing policy by mainstreaming ESD
  • transforming learning and training environments using the whole-institution approach
  • building capacities of educators and trainers
  • empowering and mobilizing youth
  • accelerating sustainable solutions at the local level

Formed in 2007, RCE-EM was the first region in the UK to formally receive recognition. Our reach includes Derby and Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicester and Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire. The partnership was built on key support from the Government Office for the East Midlands and the East Midlands Development Agency. We also have well established educational partners from early years through to higher education. De Montfort University is the secretariat for our regional hub and and we are keen to expand membership.

In early March 2018 as part of the RCE-EM, Leicester City Council hosted a regional conference entitled ‘Creating Young Leaders in Sustainable Development’. This conference enabled practitioners to support learners to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development (Global Goal 4.7). The event brought together over 25 organisations to share their learning of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development and was very successful. The conference was a combination of workshops and activities to inspire and engage. There were many opportunities to network, link research to practice, and share knowledge and expertise. 

Members of RCE-EM

  • De Montfort University
  • Leicester City Council
  • Derbyshire County Council
  • University of Leicester
  • Loughborough University
  • MF Associates
  • Future We Want
  • LEAF Education (previously FACE)
  • Cultivating Communities Leicester
  • Masaya Link Group

Further information – 2017 Terms of Reference.

If you would like to get involved please email areeves@dmu.ac.uk.