Certificate in Sustainable Development and Social Innovation
University of Luxembourg
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
The Certificate aims to provide a better understanding of the complex challenges that societies, organisations and individuals face as we approach the limits of the biophysical carrying capacity of our planet.
Career Opportunities
Learning outcomes Better understanding of the complex challenges that societies, organisations and individuals face as we approach the limits of the biophysical carrying capacity of our planet. Knowledge about the most recent insights from academics and practitioners related to global change and to transformative learning for sustainability. More info Download the flyer Objectives Become more effective change agents and learn from diverse disciplines and practises Become a more effective change agent by understanding the complex challenges that societies, organisations and individuals face. Learn to tap into the collective intelligence of stakeholders and experts; learn about energy, water and food production, waste and recycling, sustainable housing and transportation issues. Lecturers are usually drawn from the following organizations: Banque Caisse d’Epargne de l’Etat, Eurostat, European Investment Fund, Harvard, the Impactory, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Ministère du Développement durable et des Infrastructures, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Novatlantis (Sustainability at the ETH Domain), STATEC, the Universities of Liège, Namur, Oxford, Trier and Luxembourg. Learning Outcomes Participants will develop the following competences: to apply systems thinking to understand the complexity of society, environment and their interactions. to respect the conflicting perspectives on an issue that are held by diverse experts and stakeholders, stemming from diversity in experience, values and world views. to recognise uncertainties and tensions arising from the gulf between local and global perspectives and modes of inquiry. skills in negotiation: respect, listening, giving and taking to find mutually acceptable solutions to complex problems. an appreciation of alternative forms of social organization and enterprise for achieving a sustainable economic exchange system. to develop ‘citizen science’ approaches and techniques for creatively i
Program Curriculum
Programme The Certificate requires 20 ECTS that can be collected by completing core courses (Science and citizens meet challenges of sustainability, and Social enterprise and Social Innovation) peer group projects and auxiliary courses. Admissions Academic Contents Semestre 1 Semestre 1 Semestre 2 Course offer for Certificate in Sustainable Development and Social Innovation, Semestre 1 (2026-2027 Winter) Sustainability and System Shift ECTS credits: 6 Course code: SDSI-15 Course title: Sustainability and System Shift Number of ECTS: 6 Course code: SDSI-15 Module(s): Sustainability and System Shift Language: EN Mandatory: No – Recognise the complexity and inter-dependencies of social worlds and natural worlds relating to our conceptions of business for society and the environment. – Understand relations of diverse legal forms and governance of enterprises. – Appreciate value conflicts between personal beliefs and ethical considerations within oneself and others. – Develop a simple business plan placing primary on social objectives and community needs rather than individual profits. – Recognise that there may be multiple legitimate but irreconcilable perspectives on many issues, and that it takes negotiation: listening, giving and taking to find ‘acceptable’ solutions. Propose solutions to disputes arising from disparate worldviews and underlying values by applying methods for relating perspectives from diverse interests and disciplines to each other. – Recognise the relation between different approaches to financing enterprise and the uses of ‘profits’ in the business model. – Make judgments and take a personal stance on the meaning of social enterprise for sustainable development in specific situations, building on the reflexive understanding that to know your own position you have to understand the position of others. Humanity is facing an era of profound disruption, marked by mass species extinction, ecological degradation, and accelerating climate change. These c
Admission Requirements
Admissions To apply for a programme at the University of Luxembourg, candidates must comply with the general eligibility criteria for the chosen programme type and be selected by the study programme based on the quality of their application. Requirements Please note that a residence permit is a pre-requisite to apply for this study programme. The programme at a glance – 20 ECTS Duration:1 year / 2 sem Language:EN AdmissionsEU: 01 Apr 2025 – 10 Sep 2025 Fees:200€/ sem. (semester 1,2) Format: NoPartTime Specific information for this programme Requirements • Professionals: the Certificate is designed to be compatible with a full-time job.• Students registered in any degree programme (Bachelor, Master, or Ph.D.) can enroll: to obtain it as second qualification in parallel to pursuing their main degree whilst at the University or they can take individual courses counting as optional courses towards their main degree. English – CV– Letter of motivation of 1-2 pages Selection procedure & criteria For application please submit your letter of motivation and your CV, preferably between April 1st and September 10th.Depending on the number and nature of applications received, we may contact you to schedule an interview. Late submissions will be considered in case there are still places available, otherwise candidates will be placed on a waiting list. Based on all letters of motivation received, we will select candidates with a view to developing a diverse learning community from a large range of cultural and disciplinary backgrounds and life stages. Our selection criteria includes: Motivation, interests and experience Fluency in the English language Age Gender Nationality A maximum of 25 to 30 participants for participation in any semester will be selected based on the quality of their application letters. Students: At least 10 places will be reserved for students enrolled in University degrees. Citizens and professionals: about 15 places will be for other participants. Admissi
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
200€/semester
About University of Luxembourg
University of Luxembourg
Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
The University of Luxembourg is a public research university in Esch-sur-Alzette and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. It was founded in 2003 and is the only public university in Luxembourg.
University Profile- Application Deadline EU: 01 Apr 2026 – 09 Sep 2026 Fees:200€/ sem. (semester 1,2) Format: NoPartTime Start of courses: 29
- Start Date September
- Language English
- Duration 1 year
- Credits 20
