Aims and Values

ESA's core education philosophy is that people cannot effectively contemplate the issues of sustainability in a non- ecologically sensitive environment. People need to make sense of sustainability challenges through their own reflective process and own experiences. Senior managers and directors especially need to step out of their usual 'mental frame' of daily business to make sense of sustainability and how to catalyse necessary changes in the workplace. The natural beauty of Crete and the example of a thriving sustainable community such as Drapanos are the perfect platform for this kind of experiential learning.

The overarching aim for ESA is to be an ecologically and societal supportive business which provides experiential, holistic learning about sustainable business and sustainable living. To achieve that aim, ESA has been established as a low environmental impact business and which creates a positive impact on the local community.

ESA aims to ensure that sustainability learning is accessible to all. As an international management training centre, the main language for communication will be the internationally recognised language of business which is English. This is usual in MBA learning. However, ESA also will also run Greek speaking programmes and will provide translation services where necessary for other languages.

News updates

Health and wellbeing impact of Green Buildings

Our research on the health and wellbeing impact of Green Buildings on people (Biophilia), has been PUBLISHED in SpringerNature Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation (ASTI) series.
Post date: 2nd October 2021.

Young Greek Greens

Super to welcome the Young Greek Greens - Neoi Prasinoi to European Sustainability Academy - Crete for their 5 day, experiential learning, summer camp
Post date: 27th September 2021.

Joint Animal Welfare Society

A group of volunteers who raise donations for the stray animals in the Aporkoronas area
Post date: 12th September 2021.

What we do

ESA is committed to providing international, high calibre management learning for the development of skills, knowledge and experience necessary to grow organisations through the practical application of sustainable business models.

Sustainable business needs new thinking, innovation and creativity which is rarely provided by mainstream business teaching. ESA founder Sharon Jackson has been teaching and lecturing on sustainable leadership and management since 2000 and believes that busy executives can focus on the principles of sustainability in a more meaningful and practical way when energised by a rich ecological backdrop.

Host your event at ESA

Powered only by Cretan sunshine, ESA is a beautiful building rooted in the earth amongst ancient rocks and olive trees, surrounded by nature. Its construction is a leading example of sustainability in practice. ESA is an experiential and creative place where people feel enlivened, uplifted and creative. Great living and great learning happen at ESA. A perfect setting for:

Leading sustainable enterprise

Our passion is contributing towards co-created sustainable enterprise for positive impact on communities and the natural environment on a global scale. Leadership and entrepreneur issues of adaptation, resilience, authenticity, sustainable-self, values connected sense-making and the continued emancipation of women (WISE) to take up more leadership roles in the world are at the core of the ESA sustainability experience.

Make sense of sustainability

Crete is the sustainable destination of the past and of the future.

Home of the Minoans, one of the earliest civilisations on earth, nestled between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Crete is rich with mythology, gastronomy, music, art and agriculture. You can have your own authentic experience of a sustainable lifestyle and feel first-hand the strong connection between nature and community.