AEF Sustainability Week 2026:
Deepening Commitment to Environmental and Cultural Responsibility
March 9–12, 2026 | Florence, Italy
From March 9 to March 12, 2026, Accademia Europea di Firenze willhostits second annualSustainability Week, an immersive four-day event that brings environmental responsibility to the heart of education.This year’s Sustainability Week reflects AEF’s deepening commitment to sustainability not as a slogan, but as a lived experience across disciplines, daily practices, and global perspectives.
AEF’s journey toward sustainability began before this event was conceived. Over the pastfewyears the institution has worked to transform sustainability from a core value into concrete actions integrated across its organizational culture, academic offerings, and everyday life. Recognizing sustainability as a fundamental value in 2022, AEF established a Sustainability Action Group (SAG), signed a formal Sustainability Pledge, and became the first education institution in Italy to sign the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) Accord, aligning its mission with a global network of institutions dedicated to climate action in education. These steps have laid the groundwork for sustained transformation, ranging from waste reduction initiatives to certified training programs and community partnerships.
At its core, Sustainability Week is an expression of this evolution. It is designed not only to provide knowledge about environmental challenges but also to offer meaningful activities that connect learning with real-world impact. Over four days, students, faculty, and community partners will engage in discussions, workshops, excursions, and actions that expand awareness and inspire lasting commitment.
The week begins with a series of open classes from diverse disciplines. Sustainability, as AEF understands it, is far more than an environmental issue; it is cultural, economic, artistic, and human. By embedding sustainability into subjects such as photography, history, and business, these classes invite participants to explore how sustainability connects to different ways of seeing and interpreting the world.
Central to the week is the opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of personal and collective impact through the Carbon Literacy workshop. This experience encourages participants to explore their own carbon footprints and equips them with the knowledge to develop a personal Carbon Action Plan. Upon completing the workshop, participants receive official recognition from The Carbon Literacy Project, an internationally recognized training certificate that strengthens both academic profiles and lifelong sustainability commitment.
Complementing the classroom work, Sustainability Week features guest lectures by leaders and innovators in sustainability, innovation, and policy. These sessions reflect AEF’s belief that change requires both knowledge and inspiration from voices at the forefront of real change. A participatory upcycling workshop invites participants to put these ideas into practice—turning repurposed materials into creative, functional expressions of resourcefulness.
Sustainability Week includes a city-wideclean-up event in collaboration with Angeli del Bello, an organization dedicated to restoring public spaces throughout Florence. This initiative highlights AEF’s connection to its host city and reflects the belief that stewardship of the environment includes caring for the places and communities we inhabit.
Learning excursions enrich the week with experiences beyond Florence. Participants will travel to Peccioli, a Tuscan village celebrated for its innovative approaches to environmental challenges, offering an inspiring example of how small communities can lead in sustainability practices.
Asecond excursion to Naples will explore the work of the Fondazione Quartieri Spagnoli (FOQUS), a model of urban, cultural, and social regeneration that demonstrates sustainability’s social dimension.
For those seeking deeper immersion, a three-day learning excursionexperience with a host family in rural Tuscany offers authentic engagement with local culture, traditions, and community life. This portion of the program emphasizes the interconnection between sustainability, heritage, and human relationships.
One of the most meaningful moments of Sustainability Week will be the Tree-Planting Ceremony:“I’ll Be Back.” During this symbolic event, each participant will have the opportunity to plant a tree in Tuscany, leaving a living legacy that embodies their connection to the land and to the ongoing journey toward environmental responsibility.
AEF Sustainability Week is not simply an academic event; it is a celebration of learning, action, and community. It exemplifies the institution’s belief that sustainability requires not only understanding but active participation, reflection, and collaboration. This initiative embodies AEF’s commitment to expand global awareness and inspire positive change through real-world engagement.
Looking ahead, AEF Sustainability Week aims to cultivate a community of Green Ambassadorsstudents equipped with practical skills, global perspectives, and a commitment to environmental and cultural direction. Whether participants are long-time advocates for climate action or just beginning their journey, the week offers a space for meaningful growth, connection, and empowerment.
AEF continues its sustainability journey, Sustainability Week stands as a pivotal moment for reflection, learning, and action, an opportunity to transform values into impact that reaches far beyond the classroom.
Discover more about sustainability at AEF! Watch our video to learn why environmental and cultural responsibility matters and how AEF is making a difference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2xIk6RbY0c&t=65s
AEF Sustainability Week 2026
Take action, make an impact.
