Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda: equal and inclusive education for all

Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda aims to provide an equitable quality education for everyone. Ensuring universal access to education opportunities and removing learning barriers helps to reduce global inequalities, both of an economic and social nature. In addition, it is crucial that education meets the specific needs of individuals, to tackle early school leaving and functional illiteracy, in order to promote a more sustainable future. 

The key elements of goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda include:

• Right to free, fair and quality primary and secondary education
  
• Universal access to preschool education
  
• Promotion of literacy and basic skills for young and adults
  
• Equal educational opportunities and reduction of gender gaps in education
  
• Increase opportunities for technical, professional and higher education
  
• Quality education accessible to all
  
• Enhanced teacher's training and investments in infrastructure and educational resources.
  

In line with the goals outlined in SDG 4 of the UN 2030 Agenda - the Acea Group is committed to promoting education and training initiatives for young people. Effective training allows access to better working opportunities, thus leading to the overall well-being of society. Furthermore, these projects aim at promoting the culture of sustainability and engaging younger generations in important issues such as energy transition.

Acea promotes collaborations, partnerships, internships and traineeships (with universities such as Sapienza, LUISS and Federico II of Naples, and many others), to create a first interaction between recent graduates and the job market. In 2022, as part of these initiatives, Acea provided 42 training internships and 36 curricular traineeships. The company hired 34 recent graduates and offered permanent employment to 37 young people at completion of their internship or traineeship.

Acea's commitment to achieving the objectives set out in SDG 4 is reflected in the training opportunities offered, including courses and university masters, to the Group's employee. As far as school is concerned, Acea promotes training, awareness and school-work balance projects, to support and advise young people in making decisions for their future.

For years, Acea has supported school-work balance initiatives, engaging students coming from local high schools. The program allows students to present their own concepts and promote creative solutions around innovation and sustainability.
Meeting with Acea's employee allows students to better understand the skills and professional roles that are in demand within the job market. This allows them to be prepared for job interviews.

GenerAzione 2030 – the 2023 work-school balance project by Acea Group – engaged nearly 400 students from thirteen high schools and technical institutes located in Lazio, Umbria, Campania and Tuscany. The Group's companies have set various project tasks that the students worked on to develop their own solution, with the support of Acea's professionals.

Women professional in STEM (Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics) fields play a crucial role in orienting students, especially young girls. Through their testimonies, these women bring to schools their own experience as successful professionals in fields traditionally male-dominated fields.

Professionals visit schools and universities as Role models, sharing their own personal experience and engaging students in a day at the company.

The account of their training and professional choices reflects the principles set out in goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda. This is relevant importance, as it helps students to discover their abilities, improve their training and make informed decisions for their future. In addition, overcoming gender stereotypes can be particularly helpful in the workplace.