Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement

HEH / International / Participation in democratic life

Priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme: Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement

The Erasmus+ Programme addresses the citizens’ limited participation in democratic processes and their lack of knowledge about the European Union, and tries to help them overcome the difficulties in actively engaging and participating in their communities and in the Union's political and social life. Strengthening citizens’ understanding of the European Union from an early age is crucial for the Union’s future. In addition to formal education, non-formal learning can enhance the citizens’ understanding of the European Union and foster a sense of belonging.

The Programme supports active citizenship and ethics in lifelong learning; it fosters the development of social and intercultural competences, critical thinking and media literacy. Priority is given to projects that offer opportunities for people’s participation in democratic life, as well as social and civic engagement through formal or non-formal learning activities. The focus is put on raising awareness of and understanding the European Union context, notably in regards the common EU values and the principles of unity and diversity, as well as their social, cultural and historical heritage.

In the field of youth, the Youth Participation Strategy has been designed to provide a common framework and support the use of the Programme to foster youth participation in democratic life. The Strategy aims to improve the quality of youth participation in the Programme and complements key EU Youth Policy documents, such as the EU Youth Strategy and the EU Youth Goals. The Youth Participation Toolkit accompanies the Strategy and aims to, in practical terms, enhance the participation of young people in each of the actions of the Programme, by sharing know-how, recommendations, tools and practical guidance. The toolkit provides guidance on addressing this horizontal priority in Erasmus+ projects.

Source : Erasmus+ Programme Guide https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-a/priorities-of-the-erasmus-programme