European Youth - Values, Identity, Culture

Summary

The project “European Youth – Values, Identity, Culture” was awarded the European Innovative Teaching Award for its innovative and inclusive approach to fostering European identity among youth. By combining intercultural exchange, creative workshops, and critical reflection, it empowered students to explore and embrace European values, thereby strengthening civic engagement and nurturing a shared sense of belonging. 

“My participation was a very interesting and enjoyable experience. We took part in workshops about the EU to understand how complex the EU actually is. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas with all the pupils from the partner schools abroad.” 

Topic(s) addressed 

• European identity
• Civic engagement
• Intercultural dialogue
• EU values
• Democratic participation
• Media literacy
• Youth empowerment
• Cultural heritage
• Critical thinking
• Inclusion in education 

Target group(s)  

• Pupils (15–18)
• Teachers from six EU countries who are open-minded and engaged in the European topic

Methodologies used 

The project employed a cross-national, workshop-based model centred on critical reflection, creativity, and student autonomy. Activities such as schoolbook analysis, identity exploration, media creation (e.g. short films), and artistic expression of EU values provided hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences. Teachers developed and shared innovative didactic methods, including project-based and CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approaches, to foster active learning. These methods promoted intercultural understanding and a deeper sense of European identity.

Innovation environment 

The project created diverse and flexible learning environments - spanning classrooms, cultural institutions, and virtual platforms - that encouraged collaboration and creativity. Workshops, film-making sessions, exhibitions, and intercultural exchanges offered experiential, student-centred settings. These environments supported CLIL, design thinking, and interdisciplinary approaches, enabling pupils to learn through doing, reflecting, and creating, while teachers exchanged best practices in real-time international contexts. 

Teachers’ role 

Teachers played a key role in designing and guiding innovative activities, including value-based workshops, media projects, and interdisciplinary lessons. They exchanged best practices, co-developed new methodologies, and applied project-based and CLIL approaches in real-world contexts. Their active participation in training events and cross-border collaboration fostered a dynamic learning culture, with educators acting as facilitators of creativity, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding. 

Impact and output 

The project fostered a stronger sense of European identity, critical thinking, and intercultural awareness among pupils. Innovative methods - such as media creation, artistic expression, and project-based learning - enhanced engagement and made abstract values more tangible. Teachers reported improved didactic skills and increased motivation. The integration of new teaching approaches into regular curricula ensured lasting impact, while the materials produced were widely shared to extend the project’s reach beyond the partner schools.

Learn more about the project

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