Advancing Social Sustainability Through the Development of Action Competence: A Scoping Literature Review

Pia Andersson (), Lilly Augustine and Renira Rampazzo Gambarato
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Pia Andersson: ENCELL, School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University, 553 18 Jönköping, Sweden
Lilly Augustine: CHILD, School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University, 553 18 Jönköping, Sweden
Renira Rampazzo Gambarato: MKV, School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University, 553 18 Jönköping, Sweden

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: Action competence emerged in the 1980s in Denmark as a response to a demand for transformative and educational approaches fostering informed actions for real-world challenges, often with a focus on environmental sustainability. As action competence initially emerged in response to environmental concerns, its applicability to the social dimension of sustainability education requires deeper examination and understanding. This review synthesizes and analyzes studies on action competence in social sustainability, focusing on its conceptualization, integration, and practical applications. Its aim is to deepen our understanding of how action competence, as a critical tool, can foster more equitable, resilient, and sustainable social futures. A systematic online database search was conducted with ERIC, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, as well as national databases in the Nordic countries. The inclusion criteria required the term “action competence” to appear in the title, abstract, or keywords, along with a focus on social sustainability. Studies that solely addressed environmental aspects were excluded. A total of 288 records were identified, of these 169 were unique, and 28 were included in the sample. The results highlight the critical role of action competence in equipping individuals and communities with the tools to foster sustainable and equitable societies.

Keywords: action competence; education; social sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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