Final conference of the DEMOCRAT project
The final conference of the DEMOCRAT project, a European initiative dedicated to Education for Democracy (EfD) and funded by Horizon Europe, was held in Barcelona on 20–21 November 2025. Researchers, educators, policymakers, civil society organisations, and representatives of all the consortium partners participated in the event. Notus is one of DEMOCRAT’s partners.
Held at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Barcelona, the conference brought together a diverse community of experts to discuss the progress made during the three-year project, as well as the challenges and opportunities for strengthening democratic education in Europe.
The project has developed a European framework of responsible democratic competences, offering practical tools, innovative pedagogical approaches, and empirical evidence to support educational institutions, teacher trainers, and policymakers in integrating democratic education into school curricula and everyday school practices.
The conference also featured presentations on the sister projects AECED and Critical ChangeLab, which have explored complementary approaches to democratic education, ranging from aesthetic and experiential practices to creative methodologies for youth participation.
Conference Proceedings
The opening session began with a welcome address from Bibiana Crespo Martín, the University of Barcelona’s delegate for international mobility and global engagement. This was followed by a keynote speech from Professor Ivan Grdešić, who emphasised the significance of critical thinking and debate in democratic settings.
The results of the AECED, Critical ChangeLab and DEMOCRAT projects were then presented, after which a panel discussion on the future of Education for Democracy was held. This discussion featured contributions from professionals representing various European institutions and emphasised the importance of involving families, educators and communities in educational processes.
The second day included a second plenary conference and parallel sessions showcasing pilot projects from countries such as Estonia, Finland, Poland and Spain. There were also structured dialogue activities, such as the World Café, in which students, teachers and professionals participated to promote the exchange of experiences and intergenerational dialogue.
Additionally, an initial overview of the DEMOCRAT Toolbox was presented. This open-access platform is designed to assist educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders in applying evidence-based methods to implement democratic education in various educational settings.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from members of the project’s advisory board, followed by a keynote speech from former Finnish president Tarja Halonen. She emphasised the importance of democratic education in strengthening more participatory, inclusive and resilient societies.
Conclusions
The final conference of the DEMOCRAT project not only showcased the results of its collaborative work, but also provided opportunities for profound reflection on the role of democratic education in times of social and political complexity. The discussions and activities held can help lay the foundations for future initiatives and reinforce all stakeholders’ commitment to providing future generations with an education that prepares them to participate actively in democratic life.
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