What exactly is this goal?: investing in quality education and training is the basis for improving people's lives, and therefore contributing to sustainable development. Only through access to education for all people is it possible to build economic and sustainable growth. In the coming years, the focus must be on the right to education for people belonging to vulnerable groups, on the eradication of illiteracy and on the type of education which promotes sustainable development.

Corporate role: companies play a key role by promoting and investing in education and training. They can contribute to this goal within their own organization by means of training programmes for employees as well as externally through investments in the system and in education programmes. Investment in staff training increases a company’s business opportunities, creating new markets and new customers, and promoting greater worker skills and productivity. At the same time, a more skilled population will have access to better job opportunities and higher salaries. The greater availability of income for people will then be a positive factor for the markets and for the welfare of society in general. Some firms, such as those working in the education sector or in telecommunications, are more connected to SDG 4, but all types of organizations can contribute. Further information

How to measure the corporate contribution: Some indicators to assess the impacts of corporate actions include: the average hours of training per year per employee; the percentage of children of employees who have access to safe and affordable day-care services; and the number, type and impact of the company's initiatives on awareness-raising and training on sustainability issues.