How Do Catalonia and the Basque Country Integrate Sustainability and Interculturality in Early Education?

UPV/EHU
Jun 4
2 min read

Updated: Jun 13

A Glimpse Into Regional Educational Policies Through the SUSIEE Project

In a world that’s becoming increasingly diverse and environmentally conscious, how are educational systems keeping up—especially when it comes to our youngest learners?

This article summarizes insights from the SUSIEE project Handbook (www.susiee.en), focusing on how Catalonia and the Basque Country—two Autonomous Communities in Spain—are embedding sustainability and interculturality into their early childhood education policies.

Understanding the Spanish Context: One Country, Many Systems

Spain’s education system is shaped by both national and regional laws. While the Organic Law 3/2020 sets nationwide standards for early childhood education (ECEC), each Autonomous Community (CCAA) can tailor these guidelines to meet local needs.

So, how well do these policies support diversity and sustainability? The SUSIEE project explores exactly that—especially in communities welcoming children from migrant and multicultural families.

National-Level Highlights: Inclusion but Still Room to Grow

At the state level, ECEC is voluntary and prioritizes children in vulnerable situations, such as those experiencing poverty or social exclusion. However, while the law acknowledges inclusion, it doesn’t explicitly center interculturality or sustainability as core objectives.

That said, Royal Decree 95/2022 introduces some progressive steps:

Encouraging cultural and linguistic diversity
Promoting responsible consumption and environmental awareness
Supporting health and social education in early learning

Still, the implementation and impact largely depend on how regional governments take these principles further.

Catalonia: Promoting Multilingualism and Eco-Conscious Values

In Catalonia, early childhood education is split into two stages: 0–3 years and 3–6 years. Regional legislation promotes both inclusion and sustainability through a hands-on curriculum.

Key approaches include:

Multilingual education in Catalan, Spanish, and a foreign language, with extra support for newcomers
Intercultural teaching that fosters respect and understanding of diverse cultures
Curriculum goals that emphasize eco-awareness, such as:
- Responsible use of resources
- Learning through sustainable habits (e.g., recycling, mindful consumption)
- Early environmental stewardship

The Decree 21/2023 specifically outlines sustainability goals as essential developmental competencies for children.

The Basque Country: Integration Through Equal Access and Eco-Responsibility

In the Basque Country, early childhood education is grounded in both linguistic equity and social integration.

Highlights from Basque policy:

Equal distribution of children from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds across educational centers
Strong emphasis on bilingualism (Basque and Spanish) from infancy
Holistic support for children, including collaboration with health and social services
Early detection of barriers to learning, with interventions that promote inclusion

On the sustainability front, the Basque education law mandates the integration of eco-responsible values into all learning domains—from daily routines to nature protection and heritage conservation.

Policy Recommendations: A Way Forward for Inclusive and Green Early Education

The findings of the SUSIEE project point to several key recommendations:

Ensure equitable access to early education in both urban and rural areas, especially for migrant and refugee children.
Embed interculturality and sustainability in official regulations, ensuring these aren’t just ideals—but actionable practices.
Strengthen teacher training to foster inclusive, multilingual, and culturally responsive classrooms.
Establish a national evaluation system to measure progress using indicators on interculturality and environmental education.

Both Catalonia and the Basque Country offer promising examples of how early education can be a driver of equity and environmental responsibility—starting from the very first years of life.