In the pursuit of seeking the systematic and lifelong Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the issue of environmental identity, well-being, and lifestyles is as very important. It is significant as much as the processes of implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) topics in the education of future citizens of society. In this sense, it should be noted that the SDG clearly emphasize Goal no. 4. the achievement of Quality education for all, but also the impossibility of achieving the 17 set SDG without the role of education in achieving them. Development of environmental identity is a perquisite of ESD in society, and on all the levels in society, but especially among young children, the youngest citizens of society, in kindergartens and schools.

Contemporary universities accept the SDG and through their strategies are trying to implement different sustainable practices based on them. Different faculties and different study programs includes various subjects of sustainable development in their teaching. Recent scientific research confirm an importance of connectedness to nature and environmental behavior and their connection to well-being of children and youth. Also research confirms that is needed a new forms' education, education that supports well-being and aims to develop positive and affirmative values and attitudes towards nature, environmental identity, that includes eco-literacy and sustainable development practices. As Blanchard and Paquet (2023) emphasize, the compliance of environmental identity and professional environment is a matter of understanding both personal identity and social life, as well as the perception of one's own role in society. Based on that, the main aim of this paper is to present a scientific research titled: “Environmental identity and wellbeing of university students - Ecowell”. This research project is supported by University of Rijeka, and it conducted by researchers from Faculty of Teacher Education. The “Ecowell” research includes two main aims.

The first aim of the research is to examine the relationship between environmental identity, socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, education, and well-being of future kindergarten and primary school teachers students: at the beginning of semester and after nature exposure and field education in Nature park. This part of the research will be conducted among (N=70) students of Faculty of Teacher education.

The second aim is to examine the relationship between environmental identity, socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, education, and well-being on a sample of University of Rijeka students from different faculties (N=500). In this paper, both research will be described and their theoretic and methodological frame will be detailed presented. The scientific contribution of this research is reflected in the interdisciplinary knowledge derived from the research. It will also which will provide insight into the identity and well-being of students, in the context of  SD education at the faculties, but also in everyday life. The resulting scientific knowledge can serve as guidelines for further strengthening the well-being of students, but also for the formation of environmentally responsible and more sustainable citizens of society.

Keywords: Connectedness to nature, environmental identity, Sustainable Development Goals, university students, well-being.