Strengthening Democracy in Europe: The Erasmus+ Project EuroConnect Develops New Participation Formats for Students
Democracies in Europe are facing profound challenges. Against this backdrop, how can we ensure that young people have the skills to actively participate in democratic processes? The Erasmus+ project EuroConnect – Strengthening Civic Competences and EU Democratic Life, in which the Institute of Political Science at the University of Göttingen has been participating since November 2025, addresses this question.
(Kick-off meeting in Tartu, November 2025)
In collaboration with the University of Tartu (project coordination), the University of Siena, and the Danilo Dolci Centre for Creative Development, the Göttingen project team, led by Dr. Kristina Kurze, aims to promote civic competencies—ranging from critical thinking and political participation to intercultural exchange—through innovative and practical teaching and engagement formats.
The project kicks off with a series of transnational online student debates: From May 4 to June 29, 2026, a total of ten debates will take place, open to all students at the three partner universities (Göttingen, Siena, and Tartu). Members of the Göttingen project team will moderate three sessions:
Students can register using the QR code below and actively help shape the focus of the debates!
The EuroConnect project will run until October 2027 and is funded with 250,000 euros from the Erasmus+ program (Cooperation partnerships in higher education KA220-HED). For the latest information and announcements, visit the project website: https://sisu.ut.ee/europecivis/