I-CIVIC’s Exchange in the Basque Country

Highlights from the Basque Country

The I-CIVIC project has officially moved into its field phase with the successful completion of the first MSCA Staff Exchange secondment. Hosted by the ALHE research team at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), members of the EUDEC community spent some weeks immersed in one of Europe’s most innovative educational landscapes.This exchange was about being on the ground, engaging directly with public schools through educational city shadowing and participating in the Educational Laboratory in Eibar. By working within existing Communities of Practice, our researchers were able to see how democratic education principles translate into daily school life.

Listening to the Students

A core part of the I-CIVIC mission is ensuring that the voices of young people are at the center of our research. During the stay in the Basque Country, this commitment took the form of direct, active engagement within the classroom. Through student focus groups, we explored the dynamics of participation and the benefits of mixed-age learning, while participatory workshops allowed us to collect fresh perspectives on what citizenship truly means to students today. By bringing democratic education practices directly into public schools, we are observing and  creating together a space where students could reflect on their own learning needs and their role in society.

Strengthening the European Network

Beyond the schools, the secondment fostered deep academic collaboration. The team presented findings within the Teacher Education programme at UPV/EHU and expanded the project’s visibility through cross-institutional dissemination activities with the Autonomous University of Madrid.

This secondment was made possible through our collaboration with the ALHE Research Centre that works on Historical and Educational Analysis of Childhood and Schools. Established at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), ALHE has been a cornerstone of educational research for years, focusing on the historical evolution of schooling and the practical application of innovative pedagogical models.

By integrating our I-CIVIC research with ALHE’s strong expertise in the Basque educational landscape, we were able to bridge the gap between academic theory and the lived reality of public schools. This partnership, rooted in shared values of democratic participation and educational equity, continues to strengthen the European network for transformative education.

What’s Next

The next stop for the I-CIVIC secondment programme will be the University of Jyväskylä in Finland later this month. Stay tuned for more updates from the field.