I-CIVIC uses a multidisciplinary and community-centred approach to understand how young people engage with democracy and how education can better support inclusive participation. Our work combines field research, digital studies, and collaborative model-building across Europe.
Our team includes universities, cultural institutions, and democratic education networks with expertise in pedagogy, digital literacy, community engagement, and policy analysis. By combining these strengths, I-CIVIC delivers practical solutions, innovative tools, and long-term networks that support democratic participation well beyond the project’s lifecycle.
Research approach
Mixed Qualitative Methods
Our research includes interviews, focus groups (online and offline), digital ethnography, observations, and the collection of personal stories.
Forward-Looking Analysis
We use scenario-building and policy-focused methods to anticipate future challenges and propose long-term strategies for strengthening democratic education and digital resilience.
Multidisciplinary Lens
We draw from education, sociology, political science, digital studies, and cultural research to examine democratic engagement from multiple perspectives.
Fieldwork in Diverse Settings
We work directly with students, teachers, community leaders, policymakers, and underrepresented groups to gather insights from schools, communities, cultural institutions, and digital environments.
Project phases
Phase 1: Understanding Democratic Deficits and Educational Gaps
Focus
Identifying why young people may feel disconnected from democratic life and where current education systems fall short.
Key activities
- Reviewing existing policies
- Surveys and interviews with youth
- Studying formal and informal learning spaces
- Comparing regional differences
- Analysing digital literacy and engagement levels
Expected Output
A clear European overview of challenges, best practices, and policy recommendations.
Phase 2: Analysing Barriers to Inclusivity and Misinformation Resilience
Focus
Understanding the social, cultural, and digital barriers that limit civic participation.
Key activities
- Mapping inclusion barriers
- Interviewing educators, students, and policymakers
- Developing tools to measure misinformation resilience
- Testing digital literacy interventions
- Identifying successful democratic education practices
Expected Output
Validated tools and a comparative framework for strengthening inclusive civic education.
Phase 3: Creating New Models for Democratic Education and Community Engagement
Focus
Creating new democratic education models through collaboration between schools, communities, and local authorities.
Key activities
- Co-designing a shared framework
- Developing digital and pedagogical tools
- Testing models in schools, museums, and community centres
- Gathering feedback from teachers and students
Expected Output
Innovative models and digital resources that can be scaled across Europe.
Phase 4: Training, Communication, and Public Engagement
Focus
Training professionals and ensuring the project’s findings reach those who can apply them.
Key activities
- Workshops, webinars, and summer schools
- Online courses for broader audiences
- Policy roundtables and dialogues
- Educational toolkits, reports, and public events
Expected Output
A skilled network of democracy experts, educators and policymakers, along with widespread adoption of I-CIVIC tools and practices.
I-Civic Project 