Achieving Sustainable Development

Achieving Sustainable Development, developed by Trinity College Dublin and delivered through FutureLearn, is an open-level online course examining whether and how the UN Sustainable Development Goals can improve people’s lives. The course takes a multidisciplinary approach to sustainable development, connecting economic, social, environmental, health, and governance challenges. Particular attention is given to the practical impact of the SDGs on communities and people living in poverty.

Core Content

The curriculum is structured across four weeks covering peace and strong institutions, health and well-being, sustainable water and sanitation, sustainable cities, and the wider impact of sustainable development. Learners explore issues such as violence and conflict, nutrition, reproductive health, disease, water treatment, sanitation, urbanisation, and eco-cities. The final stage examines how interconnected SDGs can be evaluated and how the impact of development initiatives can be measured in practice.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to identify root causes of underdevelopment, critically assess challenges to achieving the SDGs, and analyse sustainable development issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives. The course also builds understanding of how conflict, healthcare, sanitation, gender, and urban development affect sustainability, while introducing practical approaches for evaluating the impact of development projects and interventions.

Target Learners

The course is designed for anyone interested in sustainable development and the future of global communities. It is particularly relevant for students planning to live or work in developing countries, as well as professionals and stakeholders working in NGOs, government, development organisations, and local communities. FutureLearn classifies the course as open level, making it accessible without specialist prior knowledge.

Learning Format

Hosted on FutureLearn, the course is delivered online over four weeks with an expected study commitment of approximately four hours per week. Learning is organised through weekly activities and steps and includes videos, articles, audio, practical activities, case studies, assessments, and peer discussion. Learners can start immediately, with free limited access available, while paid options provide self-paced access and an eligible digital or printed certificate.

Additional Benefits

The course is certified by the CPD Certification Service and is taught by an interdisciplinary team from Trinity College Dublin spanning economics, peace studies, environmental engineering, medicine, development economics, and sustainable urbanism. Its use of international case studies from locations including Sri Lanka, Uganda, India, Ireland, Colombia, and Kenya helps learners connect the SDGs with real development challenges and measurable community outcomes.

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