From school to EU

Summary

Our project stemmed from a shared commitment to deepen civic education and engagement with EU topics. It enabled the creation of a small but genuine community of teachers and students across Europe, united by a common purpose and working together with passion and dedication to achieve the project's goals. 

We aimed to strengthen our students’ sense of European identity, fostering belonging and civic values. Through collaborative learning, they developed key competences and were introduced to new, innovative teaching methods that enriched the educational experience for all involved. 

“The project was a great starting point to reflect on fundamental topics such as eco-sustainability at school, socio-economic inclusion and digital policy for young people, working with digital devices, foreign languages and using informal approaches.” 

Topic(s) addressed 

• Eco-sustainability at school
• Socio-economic inclusion in local communities
• Digital policy for young people
• Civic engagement
• EU awareness

Target group(s)  

• Students, teachers and staff coming from very different fields of study 

Methodologies used 

Through this project, both students and teachers had the opportunity to acquire new skills - digital, communicative, and key competences - while deepening their understanding of EU citizenship, values, and the local relevance of EU policies through multidisciplinary approaches. 

We embraced informal teaching and learning methods, which helped spark renewed motivation among both educators and learners. The project also led to greater engagement in extra-curricular activities, the development of new networks and partnerships, and the adoption of more inclusive and synergistic strategies within our school communities. 

Innovation environment 

The project was developed on the eTwinning platform, which provided a safe and effective space for student communication, collaboration, and the dissemination of their work. The implementation of blended EU Virtual Rooms was also a key element, bringing the European Union into the classroom in a virtual and engaging way. This approach enabled students and teachers to cooperate closely and remain in constant contact throughout the project. 

Teachers’ role 

The EU teachers involved in the project had the opportunity to explore new teaching approaches while cooperating and sharing personal experiences and perspectives. Through this initiative, we acted as innovators, fostering active student participation and encouraging a non-formal, learner-centred educational process. 

Impact and output 

With this project, we aimed to make our school education systems truly inclusive and responsive to an ever-changing multicultural society. We focused on boosting digital skills, recognising micro-credentials, and adopting a pan-European approach to the major challenges Europe faces at the local level. Our objectives included strengthening networks, implementing student mentoring, and promoting peer-to-peer teaching methods - all while fostering tolerance, social inclusion, European identity, and the development of essential social skills. 

Learn more about the project