Shaping tomorrow’s CSR leaders: Ecopia’s case study
In today’s world, the demand for skilled Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) professionals is rapidly growing, prompting the emergence of specialized institutions dedicated to sustainability education. One such organization is Ecopia, a forward-thinking school focused on preparing students for impactful careers in CSR. As part of our Change Leader program, Ecopia has embraced TASK™ (The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge) as a cornerstone of their curriculum.
To learn more about their experience with TASK™, we sat down with Aude Serrano, Pedagogical Director at Ecopia, who shared how our innovative assessment tool has shaped their programs and inspired both students and staff.
About Ecopia: nurturing CSR leaders of tomorrow
Founded just three years ago, Ecopia is a unique educational institution dedicated to preparing students for careers in CSR. Offering Bachelor and Master programs across their Paris campus and online, their courses emphasize real-world experience. In a “alternance” scheme, students split their time between classroom learning and apprenticeships in companies, tackling real CSR challenges.
With a diverse student body from engineering, marketing, language studies, and other fields, many bring prior work experience, adding richness to the learning environment. Ecopia’s goal is clear: to form students into transformation agents capable of embedding sustainability into every business.
TASK™, therefore, was a natural fit for Ecopia. As Aude Serrano explains:
“As a school focused on forming specialized CSR professionals, it’s essential that our students have a minimum knowledge of all aspects of sustainability. To this end, TASK™ was the only internationally recognized certification that met our needs. That’s why we’ve made it a graduation requirement.”
Enhancing value: TASK™ as a complementary tool
Even as a school specializing in sustainability, Ecopia sees significant added value in TASK™. It offers an international perspective that complements their focus on CSR within a French context. Students gain a global understanding of sustainability issues, enriching their professional outlook.
Moreover, TASK™ enhances Ecopia’s credibility. Its status as a recognized certification adds legitimacy to the school’s programs and bolsters student pride.
“Our students are proud to take TASK™. It gives credibility to their learning and a sense of being part of an international movement.”
How Ecopia integrates TASK™
Ecopia strategically incorporates TASK™ into its curriculum through both entry and exit tests:
- Entry-Test: TASK™ is introduced during the orientation seminar, where students learn about its significance. To ensure strong participation, the school allocated time within the courses schedule for students to complete the assessment.
- Exit-Test: Students retake TASK™ prior to graduation, to measure learning, strengthen their grasp of sustainability concepts and equip them with a certificate as they transition to the working world. In preparation for the assessment, students use (“and really enjoy”) our Intro2TASK™, which complements to what they are already learning in their regular courses.
How TASK™ informed course design
Beyond its role as an assessment tool, TASK™ has influenced Ecopia’s curriculum design. The structured framework of Earth Systems, Human Welfare, and Levers of Opportunity serves as a reference for when reviewing their “maquette” (curriculum structure), in order to create holistic and balanced programs.
For example, after analyzing TASK™ results (which showed a lower score on Earth Systems) and receiving student feedback, Ecopia introduced a master’s-level course on ecological issues and planetary boundaries to deepen students’ understanding of critical environmental concepts.
Engaging faculty and staff
Bringing faculty and staff onboard was a key step in embedding TASK™ into Ecopia’s DNA. With the school’s leadership leading by example, TASK™ is presented in pedagogical meetings with all professors, with them being encouraged to take the assessment themselves too.
Staff participation is also being emphasized. While not all have a background in sustainability, Ecopia believes it’s vital for them to engage with the subject, ensuring they can effectively represent the school’s mission.
Conclusion
For Ecopia, TASK™ has become an invaluable tool in their mission to prepare students for meaningful careers in sustainability. Beyond the positive impact on their students, TASK™ and the Change Leader community offered Ecopia a platform to share best practices and foster meaningful connections with other leading institutions.
“TASK™ has helped us connect with like-minded changemakers, giving us encouragement to continue our work. Our students are proud to take part in this initiative and leave our school with knowledge and skills that make them credible, impactful professionals.”
