A New Approach to Citizenship Education
In today’s fast-changing world, education must evolve to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to participate actively in society. Education for Citizenship 3.0 is an innovative project that brings together formal and non-formal education sectors to create a more democratic, inclusive, and participatory school environment.
This Erasmus+ initiative was implemented between November 2021 and December 2023, covering three countries and providing an EU grant of €179,433. Its primary focus was on strengthening cooperation between schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to enhance citizenship education and civic engagement among young people.
Project Objectives
The project aimed to:
- Strengthen Cooperation – Improve collaboration between schools and NGOs to create a more inclusive and democratic educational system.
- Empower Students – Encourage young people to take an active role in problem-solving within their schools and communities, fostering a strong sense of civic participation.
- Promote Environmental Responsibility – Integrate sustainable development goals into education, helping students adopt eco-friendly behaviors and take responsibility for environmental protection.
- Encourage Mobility and Learning – Offer students and teachers opportunities to participate in international exchanges and learning experiences, enhancing the overall quality of education.
Implementation and Activities
At the national level, participating schools and organizations engaged in several key activities:
- Mapping Participation Spaces – Schools assessed their democratic culture using reference frameworks from the Council of Europe, adapting them to local realities.
- Developing Democratic Governance – Schools introduced tools and methods to encourage student and teacher participation in decision-making processes.
- Focusing on Environmental Responsibility – Training programs and activity plans were implemented to promote sustainable practices.
- Measuring Progress – A specialized monitoring tool tracked students’ and teachers’ development in civic engagement and environmental responsibility.
- International Mobility Programs – Teachers and students participated in three training sessions, three learning exchanges, and three strategic meetings to share experiences and best practices.
- Creating Educational Resources – The project developed materials such as an online pilot training course and a framework for implementing a whole-school approach to citizenship education.
Results and Impact
The project successfully created a strong network of engaged educators and students, bringing a fresh perspective on citizenship education. The impact included:
- A more democratic school culture – Schools became more open to student participation in governance and decision-making.
- Increased teacher engagement – Around 27 teachers directly involved in mobilities and activities are now better equipped to integrate citizenship education into their curricula.
- Stronger school-NGO collaboration – Schools are now actively seeking partnerships with civil society organizations to enrich their educational programs.
- Improved student participation – More students are aware of their role in shaping their school environment and are actively contributing to decision-making processes.
- Sustainable educational tools – Three adaptable monitoring tools were created to help schools assess their democratic culture and plan future improvements.
Join the Movement for Better Citizenship Education
Education for Citizenship 3.0 has set the foundation for a more engaged and democratic learning environment. The project’s success highlights the importance of combining formal and non-formal education to prepare students for active participation in society.
Want to learn more? Visit our website to explore the project’s impact, download educational resources, and find out how you can implement these practices in your school!
