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What is Future17?
Founded in 2019 by QS Quacquarelli Symonds and the University of Exeter, UK, Future17 was created to close the gap between what students learn, what employers need, and what today’s sustainability challenges demand. It connects students, employers and universities through real projects that embed the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), delivering meaningful impact for all.
Future17 is powered by the Future17 Consortium, a global alliance of universities and business schools, all dedicated to advancing sustainability education. Together, with a network of companies, charities and global organizations, they share expertise and enable the Future17 SDG Challenge – a hands-on project-based programme where students and partners work together on real sustainability issues.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Future17?
Future17 is an international initiative that unites universities and business schools, purpose-driven organisations and learners to tackle sustainability issues through applied, project-based work. It combines two interconnected elements:
- The Future17 SDG Challenge: An experiential learning programme where global employer/industry/organisation partners submit live sustainability projects for interdisciplinary student teams to work on.
- The Future17 Consortium: A network of higher education institutions committed to advancing sustainability education and cross-border collaboration.
Who can participate in Future17?
Future17 connects three key groups:
Higher education institutions: Universities and business schools participate by joining the Future17 Consortium, enrolling their students, and providing academic leads and mentors to support international, interdisciplinary project teams.
Employers and purpose-driven organisations: Companies, NGOs, start-ups and public bodies across all sectors can join as project partners, submitting challenge projects and collaborating with student teams to generate practical, impactful sustainability solutions.
Students: Students from Consortium member institutions, studying any subject at any level (except first-year undergraduates) can participate in the Future17 Challenge programme.
How does the Future17 SDG Challenge programme work?
The programme runs over 12 weeks in two annual cohorts (September–December and January–May). Students receive four weeks of professional skills training, then spend eight weeks collaborating with international teammates on genuine organisational projects, before graduating with a formal ceremony and project showcase.
What kinds of sustainability challenges does Future17 work on?
Projects span environmental, social and economic sustainability – from climate resilience and biodiversity to circular economy, human rights, community development, healthcare access, technology for sustainability and more.
What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals and why do they matter?
The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global blueprint for tackling major environmental, social and economic challenges – from climate action to equality and responsible innovation. They guide governments, organisations and educators to work towards a more sustainable future.
Future17 uses the SDGs as a framework for real-world projects, enabling people and organisations around the world to collaborate on practical solutions that contribute directly to these global goals.
What is experiential learning and why is it important?
Experiential learning in sustainability refers to hands-on, applied education where learners build knowledge by working on real environmental and social challenges rather than only studying theory. This type of learning often includes live projects, industry collaboration, systems thinking, problem-solving, and reflection on impact.
Future17 is built around this pedagogy: students engage in project-based sustainability learning, collaborating with global organisations on actual SDG challenges. This approach helps students gain practical sustainability skills, professional experience, and industry insights, making them more competitive in SDG-focused careers.
