In 2024, Fundisa for Change facilitated a series of Train the Trainer workshops across various South African provinces in a continued effort to strengthen the capacity of key partners involved in teacher development. These workshops brought together a diverse group of environmental education practitioners, enhancing their capacity to support teachers on environment and sustainability topics in the curriculum. The first instalment was led by SANBI and Rhodes University in April and took place at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. The participants were stakeholders that are part of the Western Cape Friends of Environmental Education Forum including Nature Connect, the South African Education Project (SAEP), the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), ISA Enviro, Two Oceans Aquarium, City of Cape Town, Working on Fire, Stellenbosch University, Cape Leopard Trust, Imbovane Outreach Project, Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG), and SANBI. Participants were introduced to the new Fundisa for Change online platform, showcasing how they could integrate the online courses with their own practice to empower local educators. A lot of focus was placed on the Introduction to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) course, which is a compulsory step to complete prior to embarking on other theme specific courses. Following the training, interested participants were supported by Rhodes University to complete the Introduction to ESD course as part of their professional development, gaining valuable insights into e-learning facilitation and new strategies for reaching teachers.
The second workshop, facilitated by SANBI at the Vaalkop Na
ture Reserve, presented itself as a space to reflect and improve on practice. Over the 5 days, the workshop brought together the North West Parks and Tourism Board’s (NWPTB) ESD facilitators who run the Community Development programme at various nature reserves in the province. Their mission? To engage schools and local communities, youth and adults alike, in creating a more sustainable world.For many of the participants, this was the first experience of the Fundisa for Change Programme and so the concept of Education for Sustainable Development was explored, guiding them on how environmental content is currently integrated within the CAPS curriculum. This helped many to gain a clearer understanding of how they could align their activities with the activities already being implemented in schools, ensuring their efforts remained relevant and effectively supported the broader educational goals. The workshop also tackled key topics related to climate change and biodiversity, delving into the creation and development of learning programmes and materials tailored to these pressing issues.
As the year drew to a close, SANBI, DFFE, Rhodes University, and Rand Water wrapped up an impactful series of workshops, starting with the Umgungundlovu Environmental Education Forum (KZN) in 
October, followed by the Gauteng Environmental Education Forum in November. Both workshops were designed to gain insight into teacher education programmes for ESD offered by the partner institutions; processes that support the understanding teachers’ unique contexts, examining the crucial role of course facilitators in shaping the learning experience, and introducing practitioners to the Introduction to ESD online course. A key highlight was the collaborative planning and presentation of a Fundisa for Change course planned for teachers, an approach that allowed participants to plan closely as local partners to develop relevant, impactful programmes tailored to the needs of their regions. Rand Water’s contribution to the workshops was particularly notable, as they provided a wealth of materials and strategies for effective facilitation. Their demonstrations explored how to use various approaches to achieve desired outcomes, highlighting practical methods that could be easily incorporated into teaching. This hands-on experience was invaluable for participants, giving them the confidence to apply some of these techniques in their own workshops. Moreover, participants had the chance to showcase their own activities, exchanging best practices that foster transformative learning and further enriching the collaborative spirit of the workshops.
Ultimately, the Training of Trainers was not just about acquiring new knowledge; the workshops served as a significant catalyst for strengthening professional learning communities across the country, laying a solid foundation for the future of sustainability in education. They connected local practitioners from various organisations, fostering collaboration and a shared commitment to quality teacher professional development. This, in turn, is a long-term investment in shaping environmental educators and leaders, ensuring that sustainability becomes deeply embedded in the fabric of education for years to come.