Citizenship education as part of lifelong learning

The EU-funded research initiative “Citizenship education as part of lifelong learning” targets educational institutions, non-profit organizations, companies, and public bodies within EU member states as well as associated countries. With a budget of €3.5 to 4 million per project and a funding rate of 100%, the program supports innovative approaches to civic education within the framework of vocational education and training (VET) and adult education. The aim is to develop and test concepts that strengthen democratic knowledge and active engagement – ranging from digitally supported democracy promotion to intergenerational learning formats. Projects must bring together at least three independent partners from different countries and may claim personnel costs, travel, consumables, and subcontracting services within the scope of the funding area. The submission deadline is September 23, 2026.

The focus is on interdisciplinary research and the development of practice-oriented curricula for educators and learners to enhance political participation across all population groups – including marginalized, older, or disabled persons. Projects will be evaluated based on the criteria of “Excellence,” “Impact,” and “Quality and Efficiency of Implementation.” Recommendations and tools are expected for policymakers, multipliers in education, and actors promoting social cohesion. A particular emphasis is placed on gender and diversity perspectives, the promotion of media literacy against disinformation, and the linkage with civil society initiatives. Selected project consortia will benefit from comprehensive support by the European Commission and access to networks within the framework of the European Partnership “Social Transformations and Resilience.” Interested applicants are invited to submit their application documents, including financial plans and ethics self-assessments, by the deadline.