As of late, scholars of diverse disciplines observe the growing importance of social networks between state and non-state actors for processes of formal, informal and non-formal learning and educational processes as such. At the same time, the area of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has attracted a lot of interest as it seems to provide better solutions for societal and ecological problems as well as for deficiencies in the field of education. However, there is a considerable lack of research regarding the role of changes and dynamics within the social networks for ESD. The paper seeks to make a contribution to the gap of research by searching for answers to the question of how changes and dynamics within the mentioned networks influence the realisation and the adaption of ESD.

What is the role of regional social networks in the processes of implementing ESD? How can we analyse the impact of such networks and its dynamics on the establishment of norms? What implications does the formation of regional social networks have for the quality level of ESD?

On that note, the paper suggests to analyse the role of social networks in five German communities that are already actively engaged in ESD and have been distinguished by the United Nations Decade ESD (2005-2014). Selected communities are Alheim, Erfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Gelsenkirchen and Minden.

However, local social networks have the potential to influence how ESD is formulated and how the actors involved understand their concerns with respect to corresponding norms like development and growth. The integration of ESD in social networks has the ability to draw on innovative legitimacy sources because it gives new meaning to existing norms and ideas. Hence, the approach of the study is based on the awareness that the neglect of social networks in the area of ESD is highly problematic. Ignoring the role of networks in the process of embedding the principles of ESD provides at best a narrowed view of sub-national development processes. Looking only at individual examples to showcase “Best Practices” inhibits us from discovering the potentials of network governance. Further, models of social network analysis have frequently been used metaphorically for another purpose. At the same time, metaphorical uses of models can be harmful. “Relying on metaphors as the foundation for policy advice can lead to results substantially different from those presumed to be likely” (Ostrom, 2009, p. 23).

Because we need to better understand the role of local networks for ESD, the study integrates a thorough social network analysis that makes use of qualitative and quantitative techniques.

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