Strategic Framework for the Future
Agenda2030
Montessori Europe’s long-term vision for connection, collaboration, and meaningful contribution to the international Montessori community.
Research · Sustainability · Adolescence
A Vision Shaped by Three Pillars
In March 2024, during a Board meeting in Berlin, Montessori Europe reflected on an important question.
“What makes Montessori Europe unique?”
The answer lay not simply in remaining relevant, but in recognising the distinctive contribution that Montessori Europe can make to the international Montessori community.
From these discussions emerged a shared understanding that Montessori Europe is uniquely positioned to serve as a platform for connection, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas. Three interconnected areas were identified as central to this work.
Pillar 01
Research
Making Montessori Research Accessible and Meaningful
Montessori Europe believes that research should not remain confined to universities and academic journals. Instead, research should be understandable, accessible, widely and practically useful to educators, parents, schools, and policymakers.
By building bridges between researchers and practitioners, we seek to foster a culture of reflection and evidence-informed practice that benefits children and young people across all planes of development.
Our Aspirations
- Make high-quality Montessori research more accessible.
- Encourage collaboration between researchers and practitioners.
- Support emerging researchers and working groups.
- Create repositories and platforms for sharing knowledge.
- Strengthen research literacy throughout the Montessori community.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of Montessori pedagogy.
Putting the Vision into Practice
Through Congress Research Days, webinars, publications, repositories, and collaborative working groups, Montessori Europe aims to create a vibrant research culture that connects theory and practice and supports lifelong professional learning
Pillar 02
Sustainability
Nurturing Global Responsibility and Ecological Awareness
Montessori education has always recognised the interconnectedness of life and humanity’s responsibility towards the natural world. Agenda2030 seeks to support schools and communities in responding to contemporary environmental and social challenges in ways that are hopeful, practical, and deeply rooted in Montessori principles.
Our understanding of sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to include social responsibility, peace, equity, and the creation of resilient communities.
Our Aspirations
- Integrate the Sustainable Development Goals throughout the planes of development.
- Strengthen children’s and adolescents’ understanding of global citizenship.
- Encourage systems thinking and environmental stewardship.
- Support whole-school approaches to sustainability.
- Share examples of good practice across Europe and beyond.
- Build networks of schools committed to positive change.
Putting the Vision into Practice
Through Sustainability Days, webinars, publications, handbooks, case studies, and tools such as the Montessori Europe Sustainability Audit Tool, we hope to support schools in embedding sustainability meaningfully into everyday life.
Pillar 03
Adolescence
Empowering Young People as Contributors to Society
Maria Montessori viewed adolescence as a period of transformation, social formation, and increasing independence. Montessori Europe believes that young people should actively participate in shaping the future.
Our focus on adolescence is not limited to adolescents themselves. Rather, we recognise that the foundations for the third plane of development are laid throughout childhood. Supporting adolescents therefore means supporting all planes of development and building communities in which young people can flourish.
Our Aspirations
- Strengthen support for Montessori adolescent programmes.
- Amplify youth voice and participation.
- Encourage service, collaboration, and civic engagement.
- Create opportunities for international dialogue and exchange.
- Connect adolescents across Europe and beyond.
- Foster peace, resilience, and responsible citizenship.
Putting the Vision into Practice
Through the Adolescent Voice Collective, secondary working groups, partnerships, webinars, and future initiatives, Montessori Europe seeks to create opportunities for young people to engage meaningfully with the challenges and possibilities of our changing world.
Looking Towards 2030
Three pillars. One shared purpose.
Agenda2030 represents a process of backward planning – a shared vision of what Montessori Europe hopes to contribute by the end of this decade. It provides a framework that guides our decisions, shapes our activities, and helps us remain focused on what matters most.