Erasmus+ course
Course Overview
This course is designed for educators and professionals who want to strengthen civic engagement and democratic competences in education. It explores how schools and learning environments can empower students to participate actively in democratic life, fostering skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and responsible citizenship.
Participants will examine practical approaches for embedding civic values, human rights education, and participatory practices into their teaching, while also reflecting on their own role as facilitators of democratic culture. By the end, they will have concrete strategies to cultivate active citizenship and democratic participation in both formal and non-formal educational contexts.
Learning Outcomes
After the course, participants will be able to:- •Understand the key principles of democratic life, civic engagement, and citizenship education, including human rights, diversity, and social justice as foundational elements.
- •Apply participatory methods such as debates, simulations, and school democracy projects to empower student voice and active participation in learning communities.
- •Utilize digital tools for civic engagement, collaboration, and democratic action, while also developing critical thinking and media literacy skills.
- •Design and implement school practices that foster a democratic culture, supporting shared responsibility, inclusion, and constructive conflict resolution.
- •Integrate civic engagement and democratic competences into their own practice through concrete action plans and community engagement projects.
- •Create inclusive environments where every learner can contribute to decision-making and engage responsibly in civic action for societal well-being.
Teaching & Learning Methods
All our methods are designed to be highly interactive and hands-on, ensuring a practical and engaging learning experience.
- •Active & Experiential: Learning happens through practical activities, group challenges, and creative problem-solving rather than lectures.
- •Collaborative & Inclusive: We value teamwork, open discussion, and approaches that support every learner’s unique strengths and needs.
- •Innovative & Engaging: Modern tools, playful strategies, and real-world tasks make learning dynamic and inspiring.
- •Reflective & Transformative: Each experience encourages participants to reflect, share insights, and apply new ideas in their own professional contexts.
EU Competence Frameworks
This course aligns with key EU competence frameworks:- •LifeComp: resilience, empathy, collaboration, critical thinking, and civic responsibility.
- •DigCompEdu: digital literacy for civic participation and democratic engagement.
- •EntreComp: initiative-taking, creativity, and responsibility in community and civic contexts.
- •GreenComp: sustainability and responsible action as civic values.
Erasmus+ Priorities
This course equips participants with skills that respond directly to key Erasmus+ priorities:- •Inclusion & Diversity: creating democratic spaces that respect and value diverse voices.
- •Digital Transformation: using digital platforms for civic participation, collaboration, and debate.
- •Sustainability & Resilience: empowering learners to engage responsibly in civic action for long-term societal wellbeing.
COURSE MODULES & SCHEDULE
DAY 1 – Foundations of Democracy
Module 1 – Principles of Democratic Life in Education
Explore the foundations of democracy, participation, and citizenship in schools.
Module 2 – Human Rights and Social Justice in Education
Understand how human rights and equity are essential to civic education.
Orientation Walk with a Local Guide (optional, complimentary)
A short post-class city walk for orientation and networking.
Voluntary, no fee, separate from the course, and not counted in Erasmus+ hours or outcomes.
DAY 2 – Participation in Practice
Module 3 – Student Voice and Participation
Learn strategies to empower students to express opinions and influence decisions.
Module 4 – Debates, Dialogues, and Simulations
Experience interactive methods to practice democratic dialogue and decision-making.
DAY 3 – Tools & Competences
Module 5 – Digital Tools for Civic Engagement
Explore online tools that enable participation, collaboration, and civic action.
Module 6 – Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
Develop critical thinking skills to navigate media and foster informed citizens.
DAY 4 – Building Democratic Culture
Module 7 – School as a Democratic Space
Design school practices that support shared responsibility and inclusion.
Module 8 – Conflict Resolution and Dialogue Skills
Practice strategies for facilitating dialogue and resolving conflicts constructively.
DAY 5 – From Ideas to Action
Module 9 – Civic Projects and Community Engagement
Learn how to connect schools with local communities through civic projects.
Module 10 – Workshop: Designing a Democratic Action Plan
Create and present an action plan to integrate democratic life and civic engagement into participants’ contexts.
Final Reflection
Action Plan • Certificates & Farewell