I-CIVIC: An EU Success Story

The I-CIVIC project has been officially designated as a Success Story in democracy research by the European Commission.

This recognition comes within the framework of the Commission’s recent report, Democracy Research in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which provides a comprehensive evaluation of nearly 500 projects addressing core democratic challenges, ranging from institutional accountability and the rule of law to civic participation and the counteraction of disinformation. Within this competitive portfolio, I-CIVIC was selected as an exemplary benchmark of academic excellence, demonstrating how transnational, EU funded research can be effectively translated into rigorous educational frameworks.

Contextualising Contemporary Democratic Deficits

Nowadays, across Europe, democratic institutions and social cohesion face mounting pressures. Younger generations are increasingly navigating an environment characterised by declining civic participation, lower voter turnout, a steady erosion of institutional trust, and the pervasive spread of online misinformation.

Traditional educational models, historically confined to formal classroom settings, frequently struggle to equip students with the critical digital literacy and practical competencies required to critically evaluate information and resist anti-democratic narratives. While the European Union has dedicated approximately €232 million to democracy research under the MSCA umbrella, addressing these systemic vulnerabilities demands a fundamental rethinking of how civic education is conceptualised and delivered. I-CIVIC was conceived precisely to bridge this divide between formal schooling and wider community ecosystems.

A Multidisciplinary and Cross-Sectoral Approach Powered by MSCA Staff Exchanges

Funded through the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges scheme, I-CIVIC leverages international and intersectoral mobility to foster deep knowledge transfer and collaborative innovation. The project unites a robust multidisciplinary consortium that brings together leading academic institutions, coordinated by the Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) alongside the University of Cambridge, Tallinn University, University of Jyväskylä, University of Galway, and the University of Siena.

Crucially, this academic expertise is paired with the frontline experience of civil society and institutional partners, such as ALDA (Association Européenne pour la Démocratie Locale), the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom, the European Democratic Education Community (EUDEC), and the Basque Government.

By integrating methodologies from pedagogy, sociology, psychology, political science, and digital technology, the consortium moves beyond theoretical critique. It actively builds scalable, community-based pedagogical frameworks, digital literacy tools, and evidence-based policy recommendations designed to be adapted across diverse European contexts.

Future Outlook: Fostering Democratic Resilience

The distinction awarded by the European Commission serves as a significant milestone for the consortium, validating its ongoing efforts to redefine civic education for the 21st century. By forging structural synergies between schools, local cultural institutions, libraries, and civic organisations, I-CIVIC aims to empower a new generation of active, informed, and digitally resilient European citizens.

The I-CIVIC consortium extends its appreciation to the European Commission and to all participating researchers and partner organisations whose dedicated collaboration makes this scientific and societal impact possible.

Access the official European Commission report on Democracy Research in the MSCA Report here.