Sustainable training For Event Professionals · Open for application

step by step,
events become
sustainable

STEP is a pan-European training ecosystem equipping event professionals with the practical skills, validated tools, and methodologies to design, manage, and deliver circular, low-carbon, and socially responsible events.

— What you get
  • Modular online learning path
  • Hands-on workshops & pilots
  • Validated micro-credentials
  • Community of practice
— 01 / The challenge

the events sector is at a crossroads.

Europe’s events sector faces major environmental challenges linked to carbon emissions, waste generation, mobility, and resource use.

Sustainability guidelines and tools exist but training in the sector remains fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to access. STEP closes that gap with a coordinated, validated curriculum created by five European partners.

04
months
Mar 2027 → JUL 2027
04
countries
BE · NL · SK · ES
40
professionals
Trained per cohort
— 02 / Objectives

four shifts we’re making across the european events sector.

01
Build a dedicated curriculum
Provide VET providers and event professionals with structured training on sustainable and circular event management.
🏫
02
Equip with applicable tools
Trainees walk away with knowledge, tools, and resources they can implement in actual events from day one.
🛠
03
Drive behavioural change
A pan-European coaching programme ensures real-world application not just learning, but transformation.
🧠
04
Establish a community of practice
Long-term legacy through peer learning, ongoing knowledge exchange, and collective sector improvement.
👥
— 03 / Key outputs

four deliverables. one ecosystem.

OUTPUT 01

Interactive online training

A modular learning path built around videos, infographics, quizzes, and validated micro-credentials — accessible across Europe.

  • Modular curriculum
  • Video & infographic content
  • Quizzes & micro-credentials
  • Real case studies
OUTPUT 02

Directory of sustainable suppliers

A pan-European directory covering circular, low-carbon, and inclusive solutions across all partner countries.

  • Circular suppliers
  • Low-carbon logistics
  • Inclusive solutions
  • Innovations & inspirations
OUTPUT 03
👥

Workshop & pilot program

40 event professionals trained, 40 sustainable event pilots implemented across five partner countries.

  • 40 professionals trained
  • 40 sustainable pilots
  • Hands-on coaching
  • Real-event application
OUTPUT 04
💬

Community & dissemination toolkit

A long-term ecosystem — peer learning, sector outreach, and tools for adoption beyond the project’s lifetime.

  • Community of practice
  • Dissemination toolkit
  • Sector validation
  • Long-term scalability
— Who it’s for

built with industry, validated by industry.

Event professionals
Agencies, suppliers, producers, project managers, venue managers, freelancers
Festival & cultural events
Any professionals active in the organisation of these types of events
Students & young talents
Studying or freshly graduated in events, projects management, marketing & communication
Sector bodies
Industry associations & confederations
— 04 / Consortium

five partners. four countries. one direction.

🇧🇪01
Black and white logo with 'VO' letters and 'COMMUNICATION GROUP' text below.
VO Group SA
Coordinator · Belgium

Expert in sustainable event management; EMAS and ISO 14001 certified. Leads project management and workshop methodology.

🇳🇱02
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and European Tourism Futures Institute logos in blue text and lines.
NHL Stenden Hogeschool
Quality assurance · Netherlands

Leading higher education institution with strong expertise in event, tourism, and hospitality research.

🇸🇰03
Creative Pro logo with stylized arc and dot and text Passion for Moments.
Creative Pro a.s.
Industry partner · Slovakia

International event agency active across Central & Eastern Europe; strong sustainability and creative communication expertise.

🇪🇸04
Logo of Universitat Oberta de Catalunya with dark blue text on a light blue and white background.
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
Platform & content · Spain

One of Europe’s leading online universities. Leads training material development, platform creation, and communication tools.

🇧🇪05
Bold black text 'EVENT' above the word 'CONFEDERATION' in spaced uppercase letters on white background.
Event Confederation
Sector validation · Belgium

National umbrella organisation for the Belgian event sector. Ensures industry validation, leads dissemination and sector outreach.

Meet your professors

From four different countries, universities and backgrounds; they helped structure the best cursus for you.

Smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a blue button-up shirt and small jewelry.

Manon Glauden

ESG & Sustainability Lead
VO Group

Connect with me
Smiling man with a beard wearing a blue cap and dark jacket on a colorful blurred background.

Stefan Hric

Managing Partner
Creative Pro a.s.

Connect with me
Smiling woman with curly brown hair wearing a black jacket with gold buttons and trim.

Amber Herrewijn

Lecturer & Researcher
NHL Stenden Hogeschool

Connect with me
Woman with curly light brown hair wearing a blue blazer and white top against a white background.

Alba Colombo

Professor
Oberta de Catalunya

Connect with me
Young man with short hair and round glasses wearing a light blue shirt and patterned tie.

Pierre Danger

ESG Reporting & Impact Officer
VO Group

Connect with me
Woman with dark wavy hair, wearing glasses, a patterned top, and a layered silver necklace, smiling.

Christine Merckx

Confederation Manager
Event Confederation

Connect with me
— 05 / Expected impact

what changes when this works.

STEP isn’t a course, it’s a sector intervention. Our success is measured by what happens after professionals leave the programme, in the events they design and the suppliers they choose.

01
Upskilling at scale

Event professionals across Europe equipped to implement measurable sustainable practices.

02
Aligned with the Green Deal

Increased adoption of circular and low-carbon event strategies, in step with European policy.

03
Stronger VET offering

Innovative, scalable training methodologies enhancing the wider vocational education ecosystem.

04
Sector-wide change

Behavioural change supported by accessible tools, validated curricula, and an active community of practice.

05
Cross-sector collaboration

Strengthened links between academia, industry, and sustainability experts across the continent.

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— 07 / Get notified

move
your events
forward.

Cohort 01 opens to applicants in march 2027.
Drop your details below and we’ll add you to the waiting list and keep your updated for the 2027 class.

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