What is a Regional Center for Expertise (RCE)?

An RCE is a collection of organizations in a particular region that are committed to the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This can include local governments, institutions of higher learning, nonprofits, for-profits, K-12 education entities, and other groups. The idea behind an RCE is that the organizations meet and coordinate efforts to implement sustainability at a regional level. RCEs have four elements: governance, collaboration, research and development, and transformative education.

RCEs are part of a global network hosted by the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability There are over 170 RCEs around the world. The intent of the network is to serve the international community by producing evidence-based knowledge and solutions to inform policymaking and address priority issues for the UN system. It applies innovative approaches and research methods to challenge conventional thinking and develop creative solutions to emerging issues of global concern.

What is ESD?

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is UNESCO’s response to the urgent challenges facing our planet. ESD empowers people with the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors to live in a way that is good for the environment, economy, and society. It encourages people to make smart, responsible choices that help create a better future for everyone. 

What is the Greater Cincinnati RCE?

The Greater Cincinnati Regional Center of Expertise (RCE GC) is a collaborative initiative hosted by the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Parks to unite sustainability-focused partners across the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) region. RCE GC brings together educators, nonprofits, government agencies, and community leaders to address local sustainability challenges through shared resources, programming, and research. Organized around select and regionally significant UN Sustainable Development Goals, RCE GC fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and youth engagement.

Read the full RCE GC Application for Complete Details

Read the PEWS News Release on the RCE GC Launch

Local Collaboration

RCE Greater Cincinnati partners with regional organizations to align and amplify sustainability education efforts. Through collaboration in research, mentorship, funding, and outreach, RCE GC ensures community-driven initiatives are effective, replicable, and aligned with local needs and global sustainability goals.

Sustainable Education

RCE Greater Cincinnati supports sustainable education through resources, professional development, and collaboration that deepen understanding of sustainable development. By connecting local efforts with global RCE partners, we promote equitable, interdisciplinary, and action-driven learning across the region.

Research Strategy

RCE Greater Cincinnati advances research to deepen knowledge on sustainable development across the region. By linking local challenges to global frameworks, we support interdisciplinary research and collaboration that inform policy, education, and practice aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our Collaborators

The hosting of RCE GC is a joint initiative supported by The University of Cincinnati Center for Public Engagement with Science, The College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (UC CECH) Office of Innovations & Partnerships, and the Cincinnati Park Board.

RCE GC is also the first RCE globally to partner with the Inner Developmental Goals (IDG) by aligning with the new Cincinnati IDG Hub housed in the UC CECH Office of Innovations & Partnerships.

RCE GC Founding Partners

RCE Greater Cincinnati is powered by a diverse network of committed partners across education, government, nonprofits, and industry. These partnerships strengthen our impact, expand access to sustainability education, and foster meaningful collaboration throughout the region and beyond. Below are our signatories committed to advancing education for sustainable development in our region:

  • University of Cincinnati – College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (Higher Education)
  • University of Cincinnati School of Environment and Sustainability (Higher Education)
  • UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (NGO/Higher Education)
  • University of Cincinnati Office of Sustainability (Higher Education)
  • Green Umbrella Regional Climate Collaborative (NGO)
  • Cincinnati Public Schools (preK-12)
  • City of Cincinnati, Office of Environment and Sustainability (Government)
  • City of Cincinnati City Council (Government)
  • Alloy Growth Labs (NGO)
  • Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of Governments (Government)
  • La Soupe (NGO)
  • UC Center for Youth Futures (NGO/Higher Education)
  • Citizens Climate Lobby (OH & NKY) (NGO)
  • Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative (NGO)
  • Gotara (STEM Training) (Corporate)
  • Thomas More University, Field Station (Higher Education)
  • Cincinnati Permaculture Institute NGO Committed Signatory
  • R. Alan Wight, Community & School Forest Garden Liaison, UC Office for Innovation & Community Partnerships (NGO/Higher Education)
  • Arlitt Early Childhood Learning Center (Pre K-12)
  • Miami University (Higher Education)
  • School Board School (NGO)
  • GroundWork Ohio River Valley (NGO
  • Xavier University, Office of Sustainability (Higher Education)
  • World Affairs Council (NGO)
  • MadTree Brewing Company (Corporate)
  • Ohio Environmental Education Council (NGO)
  • Kentucky Environmental Education Council (NGO)
  • Rumpke Waste Management (Corporate)
  • Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (Higher Education)
  • Cincinnati Nature Center (NGO)
  • Gorman Heritage Farms (NGO)
  • Hamilton County ReUse (Government)
  • Keep Cincinnati Beautiful (NGO)
  • Emerging Cities International (Corporate)

RCE GC Youth Governance

Youth governance, or the embedding of young people into decision-making and idea implementation processes, is central to the functioning of RCE GC. Designating spots on RCE GC’s Academic/Research and Community Advisory Boards for young people ensures that they can influence the future of environmental education for sustainable development.

Youth in Cincinnati have experience working on cross-functional teams to implement sustainability action and shape environmental education policies in schools through projects like implementing City of Cincinnati Seeds of Change grant-funded sustainability projects, serving on the Youth Environmental Council and drafting the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, and collaborating with local businesses, municipalities, and non-profits to design sustainability strategies through UC Net Impact.

By building on the insights of these deeply engaged students, RCE GC stays grounded in the experiences of young people and focused on improving environmental education in the Greater Cincinnati Region.

Reach RCE GC Youth Governance Lead Lauren Clark at lauren.clark@cincinnati-oh.gov

RCE GC Strategic Plan

Vision
RCE Greater Cincinnati envisions a region where all students and educators engage with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across formal, informal, and community learning spaces. By fostering accessibility and equity, we aim to embed sustainability action and awareness into everyday educational experiences.

Mission
RCE GC’s mission is to cultivate knowledgeable, empowered citizens ready to navigate and address future sustainability challenges. We strengthen this work by building cross-sector partnerships, enhancing collaboration, and expanding access to ESD through shared resources, training, and coordinated efforts across the region.

To realize the RCE Greater Cincinnati Mission and Vision, we strive to support the projects of partner organizations across the region, including the following goals in the near and long-term stages.

  • Curate a matrix of sustainability programs from all regional HE institutions.
  • Craft a regional ESD research agenda from existing projects.
  • With partner organization, install 12 outdoor classrooms, 6 naturescapes, 8 orchards.
  • Establish a bi-monthly series of freely accessible ESD professional development workshops for teachers.
  • Work with city to help guide the advocacy and education part of the 2028 Green Cincinnat Plan – Facilitate at least 2 community sessions
  • Complete/distribute a Green Schoolyards manual for 30+ districts/ pre-K12 servicers.
  • Secure at least 2 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon school designations as a result of direct RCE GC work.
  • 8+ ESD field research and learning experiences through study abroad and co-op programs
  • 75% of all RCE GC K-12 schools have access to safe & accessible outdoor learning spaces

Our Team

Andrew Bernier, PhD

Manager of Education, Cincinnati Parks
Assistant Professor, Educator, University of Cincinnati

Faculty Affiliate, UC Center for Public Engagement with Science

Jess Link, MPA

Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives
Cincinnati Inner Development Goals (IDG) Hub Coordinator
Office of Innovations & Community Partnerships
College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, & Information Technology
University of Cincinnati

RCE GC Timeline

Spring 2022: Green Cincinnati Plan (guiding document) was developed over six months of 40 public in-person and virtual meetings, surveys, gathering over 3,000 ideas from over 1,600 community members.​

Fall 2022: Four faculty community meetings held to establish campus interdisciplinary sustainability teaching and learning objectives. We hosted an open workshop to K-12 educators, with 14 participants from 11 unique entities, to discuss regional ESD strengths and needs.​

Spring 2023: Dr. Bernier attended virtual workshops by North American RCEs to learn about other RCEs work. Consultation with Kim Smith, PhD, of Portland Community College/RCE Greater Portland, and RCE Greater Phoenix. ​

Fall 2023 – Fall 2024: Secured a $20K grant from the Provost’s Office to increase sustainability education opportunities for the campus and greater community. The grant afforded eight authors from three institutions to write the RCE application in addition to productive facilitated workshops.

More about the region

The Greater Cincinnati region, spanning Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, is home to over 2.2 million people and a diverse economy including health, education, and manufacturing. It features rich ecosystems, a seasonal climate, and more than a dozen higher education institutions. Learn more about the OKI region here!

Reach out to us!

RCE GC is housed at The Bettman Center for Natural Resources

4 Beech Lane

Cincinnati, OH 45213

email: andrew.bernier@ucmail.uc.edu