Applications are opened for organizations interested in becoming Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCEs).
RCEs are networks that facilitate learning and action on sustainability in their communities. Each RCE brings together organizations and individuals to promote education for sustainable development (ESD), build innovative knowledge-sharing platforms, and encourage dialogue and collaboration between diverse stakeholders. Since 2005, UNU has acknowledged 200 RCEs, and together they form the Global RCE Network, a transboundary learning space for sustainable development.
How to Apply
Please download and fill in the RCE application form, and refer to the guidelines for RCE applications when filling in the form.
Please submit the RCE application form and required supporting documents via the online submission form.
Submission Due Date
The submission due date is 1 December 2026 (12:00 PM / noon, JST).
Timeline
The tentative schedule for the RCE application process is as follows:
| Date | Milestone |
| 1 December 2026 | Submission of application form and required documents |
| 1 March 2027 | Comments from the Global RCE Service Centre and peer reviewers |
| 30 April 2027 | Resubmission of application form |
| May/June 2027 | Evaluation at the Ubuntu Committee of Peers for the RCEs Meeting |
Review Process
The Ubuntu Alliance established the Committee of Peers for RCEs during its meeting in Yokohama, Japan in April 2006. The Committee, together with the RCE Regional Advisors, reviews applications for new RCEs and provides recommendations to UNU as part of the RCE acknowledgement process. UNU-IAS serves as the Secretariat of the Ubuntu Alliance.
Contact
For inquiries, please contact the Global RCE Service Centre at rceservicecentre@unu.edu
