15th World Environmental Education Congress (15th WEEC) to be held in 2030

The Permanent Secretariat (PS) of the worldwide environmental education network (WEEC) is issuing a call for bids to host the world congress in 2030.

The application is only open to public or private non-profit organisations involved in environmental education (such as universities, associations, foundations, governmental or local bodies, etc.).

Public or private non-profit organisations concerned with their country’s candidacy to host the 15th WEEC in 2030 must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) as soon as possible, and complete the Application Form before 31 October 2026.

The Permanent Secretariat underlines that the year 2030 is significant both as the conclusion of the UN Agenda 2030 and the fifteenth congress of the WEEC series.

The candidatures will be assessed primarily according to the following criteria (best detailed in the Application form):

1. Demonstrating they have relevant experience in the field of environmental education.
2. Demonstrating they have adequate experience as local, national, regional, and international event organisers.
3. Demonstrating they are skilled in creating networks at different levels and getting various institutions and organisations (national authorities, local institutions, higher, secondary, and primary education institutions, parks, museums, NGOs, mass media, etc.) involved in the organisation and participation in the Congress.
4. Demonstrating their ability to ensure broad international participation at the Congress.
5. Supporting and strengthening the WEEC International Network by allocating a budget to the Permanent Secretariat for the network activities.
6. Demonstrating they have adequate congress facilities at campuses or congress centres (e.g. plenary hall, break-out rooms, exhibition area, catering area, e-poster exhibition area, technical equipment…). The Congress site must be accessible for international Congress attendees, including individuals with The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is expected to provide security policies relevant to the Congress site and the participants. Availability of childcare is valued. Preference is given to venues with the strongest sustainability credentials (green campuses, venues’ green certification, etc.).
7. To be open to a hybrid way of participation, i.e. by online platforms.
8. Demonstrating that they can mobilise the necessary resources at the local and national levels (and possibly at the regional and international levels) to guarantee the Congress’s financial sustainability.
9. They should demonstrate their commitment to containing Congress participation costs and facilitating the participation of people from disadvantaged countries or categories (e.g., young people, students, and accompanying persons) by reducing the fees and other costs of participation and overnight stays. They should also provide special discounts for those who have participated in previous congresses or are network members.
10. Engaging to offer sponsorship to an adequate number of delegates from developing countries (if the bidder is in a developed country).
11. Ensure that the administrative procedures allow the signing of the MoU.
12. Guaranteeing the quality of the contents and the cultural project of the Congress, in continuity and total agreement with the results and the purpose of the cultural project of the previous Congresses and in close cooperation with the Permanent Secretariat that will co-chair the Congress.
13. Design the final call for the congress and the program according to the guidelines and advice of the Secretariat and the International Socio-Scientific Committee established by the Secretariat. The final programme must be shared and approved by the PS. The program is typically planned for five
14. The LOC should also consider the YEEC (Youth Environmental Education Conference), a special side event involving young people from 15 to young professionals. The YEEC has its committee, programme, rooms, and special discounted rates for participants (free for those under 18).
15. Planning social events like an opening reception and a banquet/networking dinner, and planning cultural events and field trips for the Congress participants to learn about local environmental education in the field (the cost of field trips can be included or excluded from the registration fee, depending on the overall budget).
16. Guaranteeing cultural diversity and increased participation, also due to using several languages, such as English, French, and Spanish, at least for both the website and during the Congress plenary sessions or more.
17. Having preferably close relationships with the WEEC congresses and the network in the past.
18. Guaranteeing the ecological consistency of the Congress by taking every measure to minimise the ecological/carbon footprint of the event and assuring its socio and eco-sustainability both as venues and as other aspects (i.e., transport, accommodation, social program outside, and so on).
19. Accepting a draft of a schedule proposed by the Permanent Secretariat.
20. Guaranteeing legacy and positive impact for the destination, encouraging positive impact from a social, environmental, and cultural point of view, and fostering long-lasting benefits for local communities.
21. Establishing the Congress website approximately two years before the Congress opening day, according to guidelines provided by the PS. The website should provide potential participants with all necessary information, an opportunity to pay for registration online, and a link to the WEEC Network website. The webmaster is expected to work closely with the WEEC Permanent Secretariat.

For information: secretariat@weecnetwork.org

The 15^th WEEC in 2030 will be assigned indicatively by 31^st March 2027.

The official announcement of the 15^th WEEC will be at the 14^th WEEC 2028 in Bilbao (Spain).