At a time of growing misinformation, social fragmentation, and democratic deficit, the I-CIVIC project brings together expertise from education, sociology, psychology, political science, digital literacy, and community engagement to design inclusive and innovative educational models that support critical thinking, participation, and democratic resilience – especially among young people.
On 6 and 7 November, the partners of I-CIVIC gathered in San Sebastián for the project’s official kick-off meeting, hosted by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchange programme under Horizon Europe, I-CIVIC is a large-scale, multidisciplinary European project that will run for four years and aims to strengthen democratic education, critical digital literacy, and inclusive civic participation through innovative pedagogical approaches.
The meeting brought together all consortium members: UPV/EHU – University of the Basque Country (Spain), Tallinn University (Estonia), University of Jyväskylä (Finland), ALDA – Association Européenne pour la Démocratie Locale (France), Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom (Estonia), EUDEC – European Democratic Education Community (Germany), University of Galway (Ireland), Università degli Studi di Siena (Italy), University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), and the Basque Government – Department of Education (Spain). Their presence reflects the interdisciplinary and international nature of the project, which brings together universities, cultural institutions and civil-society organisations.
Across the two days, partners discussed the project’s goals, timeline, and the activities planned for the coming years. I-CIVIC responds directly to key European priorities, including the European Democracy Action Plan, Digital Education Action Plan, European Skills Agenda, and the EU Youth Strategy. The discussions highlighted the need to address declining youth engagement, misinformation, and persistent inequalities through educational approaches that are inclusive, participatory, and adaptable to diverse contexts.
A central element of I-CIVIC is the organisation of international exchanges, which will allow researchers and practitioners from the consortium to work together in different countries, share knowledge, and carry out joint research. This is one of the project’s major strengths: these exchanges will contribute to shared studies on democratic engagement, education, and community participation.
The second day, open to the public, focused on democratic schools, participatory learning, and activities that encourage civic engagement among young people. Workshops and presentations offered concrete examples of the types of educational practices the project aims to study and support. These conversations helped partners align their perspectives and prepare the ground for the first exchanges that will take place during the coming years.
With its combination of research, collaboration, and real-world engagement, I-CIVIC is set to advance democratic education, empower youth and educators, promote digital resilience, and support more inclusive and participatory communities across Europe..
I-Civic Project 
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