Associazione Eduimpact Italy

Topic / Theme

Empowering educators to develop active citizenship, critical thinking and democratic participation among learners. The course focuses on practical methods that help students express their opinions, understand social issues and engage responsibly in their communities at local, national and European level.

Sending partners

Educational organisations involved in formal, non-formal and informal learning: kindergartens, schools, VET providers, adult education centres, training organisations, resource centres, NGOs and other institutions active in the education and adult learning field, established in Erasmus+ programme countries.

Participants

20–25 adults involved in education.

Course fee

According to the Erasmus+ Programme Guide: 80 EUR per participant per training day, including course preparation, training delivery, training materials, organisational and administrative costs, and 24-hour emergency support during the mobility.

Trainers

A multinational team of trainers from Portugal, Romania, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Poland, experienced in Erasmus+ training and international education, including collaboration with SALTO and training activities delivered in more than 15 European countries.

Languages used

Working language: English.
Training materials are provided in English. Upon request, support or materials may be available in Spanish or French, depending on the group composition.

Profile of the participants

The course is designed for teachers, school staff and adult trainers working in the sending organisation who are interested in promoting active citizenship and student participation.

Participants:

  • Work with learners of different ages, abilities or social backgrounds
  • May have previous experience or be beginners in citizenship education
  • Are interested in strengthening students’ voice, responsibility and civic engagement
  • Are willing to actively engage in experiential activities, debate and collaborative projects
  • Are open to intercultural learning and exchange of practices
  • Are motivated to implement citizenship initiatives and to engage in preparatory and follow-up activities
  • Aim to strengthen the European dimension of their institution through democratic and participatory practices

Objectives

  • Understand the key concepts of active citizenship and democratic participation
  • Promote critical thinking, media literacy and responsible decision-making
  • Encourage student voice, participation and leadership
  • Explore methods for discussing social, environmental and community issues in class
  • Develop project-based and community-oriented learning activities
  • Strengthen intercultural dialogue and respect for diversity
  • Design an implementation plan for citizenship education at classroom or institutional level

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Facilitate discussions and debates on social and civic topics in a balanced and inclusive way
  • Use participatory methods that encourage student voice and initiative
  • Develop learning activities that promote critical thinking and media awareness
  • Support students in identifying community needs and planning civic actions
  • Integrate citizenship education across different subjects and learning contexts
  • Design and implement a classroom or school civic engagement project
  • Foster democratic values such as responsibility, respect and participation
  • Plan follow-up and dissemination activities to ensure sustainability at institutional level

Daily Programme

Day 1 – Understanding active citizenship

  • Introductions, expectations and group-building activities
  • What is active citizenship? Local, European and global perspectives
  • Values of democracy, participation and responsibility
  • Reflection: current practices and opportunities in participants’ contexts
  • Mapping community and school challenges

Day 2 – Student voice and participation

  • Methods to encourage student participation and decision-making
  • Class councils, student-led initiatives and participatory learning structures
  • Non-formal activities that build confidence and leadership
  • Designing activities that give learners a voice
  • Peer feedback and reflection

Day 3 – Critical thinking and media literacy

  • Analysing information, bias and misinformation
  • Activities for developing critical thinking and argumentation skills
  • Debate formats and structured dialogue techniques
  • Case studies on social and civic issues
  • Group practice sessions

Day 4 – Community engagement and project-based learning

  • Service learning and community-based projects
  • Identifying local needs and stakeholder mapping
  • Designing student civic action projects (environment, inclusion, wellbeing, community support)
  • Group work and project development
  • Presentation and feedback

Day 5 – Implementation and sustainability

  • Finalising classroom or school action plans
  • Evaluating impact on student engagement and civic competences
  • Planning partnerships, dissemination and follow-up activities
  • Course evaluation, certification and closing reflection