The achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends significantly on the transformative potential of education. As emphasized in SDG 4—Quality Education, inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning opportunities are fundamental to fostering sustainable societies, reducing inequalities, promoting economic resilience, and enhancing social wellbeing. In an era marked by rapid technological change, climate challenges, economic uncertainty, and increasing social disparities, education systems must evolve to prepare learners for the complex demands of a sustainable and interconnected world.

Recent global developments, including the COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation, geopolitical instability, and climate-related disruptions, have exposed persistent inequalities in educational access, quality, and outcomes. These challenges underscore the urgent need for innovative and inclusive educational approaches that not only improve learning outcomes but also contribute to broader sustainable development objectives, including poverty reduction, gender equality, decent work, social inclusion, climate action, and responsible citizenship.

Transforming education requires collaborative efforts among governments, educational institutions, communities, industries, and civil society organizations. Such efforts should promote equitable access to quality education, foster sustainability competencies, strengthen economic resilience, encourage innovation, and support the development of inclusive societies. Special attention should be given to vulnerable and marginalized populations who continue to experience educational and socioeconomic disadvantages due to factors such as poverty, gender, disability, migration status, geographic location, and digital exclusion.

This Special Issue seeks to advance knowledge on the role of education in achieving sustainable and inclusive development. We welcome contributions that examine educational policies, pedagogical innovations, digital transformation, sustainability education, social equity, and cross-sector collaborations that support the implementation of the SDGs. Particular emphasis is placed on research exploring how education can drive economic resilience, social justice, environmental sustainability, and innovation in a rapidly changing global context.

We invite conceptual and empirical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, policy analyses, case studies, and critical perspectives from diverse disciplines that contribute to understanding and advancing education for sustainable development and inclusive societal transformation.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); SDG 4: Quality Education; Education for Sustainable Development (ESD); Sustainable and Inclusive Development; Educational Transformation; Social Equity and Inclusion; Economic Resilience; Lifelong Learning; Sustainability Competencies; Educational Innovation; Digital Transformation in Education; Equity in Education; Human Capital Development; Climate Change Education; Global Citizenship Education; Inclusive Education; Educational Policy and Governance; Social Justice; Community Engagement; Multi-stakeholder Partnerships; Interdisciplinary Collaboration; Future-ready Skills; Sustainable Societies; Educational Access and Opportunity; Agenda 2030