Portrait

Creating a sustainable future – holistically, decisively, and together. 

Eberswalde has been dedicated to sustainable education and research for more than 190 years. The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) was founded in 1830 as the Higher Institute of Forestry (Höhere Forstlehranstalt). Since academic teaching began again in 1992 at the historic site for forest and wood research just outside Berlin, the university has laid its focus on future-oriented industries and key sectors such as nature protection, forest management, organic farming, climate change adaptation, sustainable economics, timber construction and sustainable tourism management.

The HNEE is, with its holistic approach to sustainability, its unique range of courses geared towards future-oriented topics and its strong institutional commitment to the field of sustainability research, a driving force for sustainable development. Around 2,300 students from about 60 nations study and more than 400 employees teach, research and work at the modern university. The mission of the HNEE is to lead the transformation towards a sustainable society by developing viable model solutions and equipping students with the necessary skills to shape the future.

The 20 innovative study programmes, some of which are unique throughout Germany, are based at the four faculties of Forest and Environment, Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, Wood Engineering and Sustainable Business. The programmes have a distinct profile dedicated to sustainable development and the societal transformation this requires. Sustainable development is the underlying maxim, and it is consistently put into practice in all areas of the university – in teaching, research, business and transfer – and continually developed using participatory approaches.

Successful research

The HNEE sets itself apart through its close research links to a wide range of partners as well as its high level of third-party funding for applied research. At 12.1 million euros, it is one of the two Brandenburg universities which raise the most third-party funds (as of 2022). The research profile of the HNEE is characterised by its focus on three research areas:

1) Sustainable development of rural areas
2) Sustainable production and use of natural resources
3) Sustainable management of limited resources

Together for sustainable and diverse development

Here at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, we have to live up to our name. At the HNEE, sustainability is not only an integral part of teaching and research, it is also consistently applied in the running of the university and social interactions between staff members and students. In recognition of this, the university was certified with the European ecolabel EMAS in 2009 for its pioneering environmental management. In addition, we were delighted to receive the EMAS award in the “Small public organisations” category in 2010 and 2017, particularly as we were the only German university at the time to have been honoured by the EU Commission in this way.

The Principles for Sustainable Development are formulated by the Round Table for Sustainable HNE Development – a university-wide, self-organised initiative which works closely together with the university groups. We want our approach to set an example, and we want to continue to build on our experiences and knowledge together with partners and share them with others. In accordance with our goal as a climate-friendly university, we have been climate-neutral since 2014. In October 2014, the HNEE entered a cooperation partnership with Ivakale e.V. – founded by HNEE alumni – to offset unavoidable CO₂ emissions through a clay oven project in Kenya. On 1 March 2018, the offset project was certified a Gold Standard climate protection project. It is also integrated in the teaching and research at the HNEE. 

Status: 2022