European Research Center for Social Development

Category: Projects

  • Transitions to Democracy in Southern and Eastern Europe

    Transitions to Democracy in Southern and Eastern Europe

    Proposal: Values that Unite Us: Transitions to Democracy in Southern and Eastern Europe

    Keywords: Democracy, Democratic transition, Gender, Democratic engagement and civic participation, Extremism, Raising awareness of children and/or young people, European Values; Eastern transition to democracy; Southern transition to democracy

    Objective: This project aims to explore the democratic transitions in Southern and Eastern Europe, focusing on the shared values that guided these nations through their transition to democracy. In a context of rising Euroscepticism, the project aims to deepen young people’s understanding of the common European values that unite these countries and the role of the EU in shaping their democratic trajectories.

    The consortium consists of universities, research centers and non-governmental organizations, ensuring a diverse and interdisciplinary approach. This collaboration allows the project to reach a broad range of young people and civil society groups. It is committed to gender equality, promoting women’s participation, and incorporating gender-sensitive content across all activities.

    Call: CERV-2025-CITIZENS-REM – European Remembrance – 2025

    Predicted budget: 385 860,00€

    To be Implemented between 2026 and 2029

    Consortium:

    • Fundación Universidad Loyola Andalucia
    • European Research Center for Social Development (Glouni)
    • Institut Za Razvojne In Strateske Analize Zavod
    • Planet To The 3rd Power, Institute For Interdisciplinary Sustainable Development
    • Koyalia
    • Szubjektiv Ertekek Alapitvany
    • Notre Europe – Institut Jacques Delors
    • Centro Studi E Ricerca Impacto Ets
    • Uniwersytet Wrocławski
    • Uniwersytet Im. Adama Mickiewicza Wpoznaniu
    • Istituto Di Culture Mediterranee
    • Universidad Complutense De Madrid
  • EU Ambassadors for European Remembrance

    EU Ambassadors for European Remembrance

    Proposal: Understanding of European integration and its societal impacts

    Keywords: European identity, Inter-cultural dialogue, Democracy, Democratic transition, Youth

    Objective: This project endeavours to counteract the growing influence of nationalist policy movements and educate young Europeans on the EU by bridging historical narratives with contemporary challenges, focusing on key moments in European integration. Through combining efforts to engage citizens in critical thinking and debate with commemorating, researching, and educating about pivotal moments in modern European history, this project seeks to deepen understanding of European integration and its societal impacts.

    Through a multifaceted approach, including online training, public debates, educational materials, intergenerational exchanges, and transnational collaboration, the project aims to empower European citizens to critically engage with their shared history. By fostering dialogue, challenging biases, and promoting inclusivity, participants, including students, educators, community members, and stakeholders, will gain practical tools for active civic engagement and remembrance advocacy within their communities.

    Additionally, the project embraces a gender-sensitive approach, ensuring equal participation and representation of diverse voices in discussions on European remembrance and integration. By amplifying the voices of witnesses of historical events and facilitating intergenerational dialogue, the project aims to preserve collective memories and promote empathy and understanding across generations. Furthermore, through transnational collaboration and partnerships, the project seeks to leverage diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise to maximise its impact and reach. By fostering cross-border cooperation and solidarity, the project aims to contribute to the building of more equitable and inclusive societies, with education as a central tool for creating social change.

    Call: CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM – European Remembrance – 2024

    Predicted budget: 190 135,00€

    To be Implemented between 2025 and 2027

    Consortium:

    • European Research Center for Social Development (Glouni)
    • Les Jeunes Européens-France Association
    • Federazione Italiana Diritti Umani Comitato Italia
    • Youth Vision
  • Transitions to Democracy of the Southern European Countries

    Transitions to Democracy of the Southern European Countries

    Proposal: The international factor in the transitions to democracy of the southern European countries

    Keywords: Democratic transition, EU accession, European identity, Rule of law, Political systems and institutions, Governance, Reconciliation, EU values; Human Rights; Fighting populism

    Objective: Spain, Portugal and Greece joined the European Communities during the second and third enlargement processes. These countries experienced their transitions from civil and military dictatorships to democratic systems and understood the European integration project as a way to make political change irreversible. Europeanization was a priority and a general objective for the three countries.

    The experience lived during these transitions represented an important historical lesson from which it is necessary to continue learning today. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to develop comparative research on the transitions that took place in three southern European countries – Spain, Portugal and Greece – practically simultaneously (from 1974-75). It will be done through the study of two key dimensions of transitions, following a methodology established by the Complutense University and validated in numerous projects and publications: the study of the international factor inward and outward. 

    Special emphasis will be placed on the importance of the European values and of the entry into the European Communities as key priorities. Thus, it will also be possible to extract lessons applicable to possible countries that are candidates for joining the EU (such as Ukraine).

    This project also aims to fight Euroscepticism by disseminating the importance of European values in the transitions. Therefore, reaching out to civil society and young people and disseminating research results among them is also a priority.

    Call: CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM – European Remembrance – 2024

    Predicted budget: 116 075,00€

    To be Implemented between 2025 and 2027

    Consortium:

    • Fundación Universidad Loyola Andalucia
    • European Research Center for Social Development (Glouni)
    • QUALIA
    • Universidad Complutense De Madrid
  • Empowering Young People to Combat Anti-Semitism

    Empowering Young People to Combat Anti-Semitism

    Proposal: Empowering young people to combat anti-Semitism and promoting inclusive Holocaust histories for a peaceful Europe through living libraries

    Keywords: Holocaust, Combatting Anti-Semitism, Youth, Europe in a changing world

    Objective: The project addresses the lack of historical knowledge about the Holocaust and World War II, particularly among young Europeans, as well as the rise in antisemitism and the marginalization of the Roma Holocaust. The main objectives are to increase engagement and understanding of historical events among young people, including refugees, through digital tools and virtual reality experiences, to reduce prejudice by organizing workshops to help young people recognize and combat racial stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes, and to develop a curriculum incorporating gender perspectives and minority experiences. 

    In the short term, the project aims to increase public awareness and engagement; in the medium term, to strengthen community ties and integrate the project’s educational tools; and in the long term, to preserve historical memories and influence commemoration policies in Europe.

    Call: CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM – European Remembrance – 2024

    Predicted budget: 578 025,00€

    To be Implemented between 2025 and 2027

    Consortium:

    • Association Militants Des Savoirs
    • European Research Center for Social Development (Glouni)
    • EUpro Consultancy& Training
    • Fachhochschule Salzburg
    • Institute Of Higher Education King Danylo University
    • Stichting Liberation Route Europe
    • Scenor – Verein Zur Erforschung Aktueller Gesell
    • Jeunes Européens Fédéralistes Aisbl
    • Fondation Du Camp Des Milles Mémoire Et Educati
    • Media Actie Kuregem Stad
  • Youth DemocrAID

    Youth DemocrAID

    Proposal:  Education, Debate, Action

    Keywords: Promoting democratic participation through debating the future of Europe, Citizenship education, democratic life, youth empowerment, youth debate, youth engagement, active citizenship

    Objective: In a rapidly evolving world, active and informed citizenship is paramount for the health of any democracy. However, recent research reveals a concerning decline in political participation among young people aged 15-25 in Europe and beyond. Voter absenteeism rates are alarmingly high, involvement in institutional politics is declining, and civic awareness is insufficient. To address these challenges, we present “The Youth DemocrAID: Education, Debate, Action” project.

    This initiative recognizes the pivotal role of education in fostering civic engagement. Citizenship education is proposed as a solution to empower young individuals with democratic knowledge and skills. The project focuses on non-formal education methods and open discussion environments.

    The project stems from a consortium of five partner organizations across Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, and Portugal. Its objectives are:

    • To encourage youth engagement in democracy and the future of Europe.
    • To empower young people with knowledge and skills for active participation.
    • To foster a European identity among young citizens.
    • To enhance citizenship education using innovative non-formal methods.
    • To strengthen democratic values and promote participation in society.

    The project’s activities include an international seminar and debate, training of trainers, development of comprehensive workshop materials, online workshops, an international youth forum, and a podcast series featuring interviews with active figures in democracy.

    Inclusivity is a core focus of the project, addressing the gender gap in political engagement and involving youth organizations in collaboration with local schools and institutions. Through “The Youth DemocrAID ” project, we aspire to create an informed, engaged, and active generation of citizens who are not only prepared to participate in democratic processes but also to make meaningful contributions to their communities and society as a whole.

    EU Call: CERV-2023-CITIZENS-CIV – Citizens’ engagement and participation – 2023

    Budget: 142 705,00€

    To be Implemented between 2024 and 2026

    Consortium:

    • Younet
    • European Research Center for Social Development (Glouni)
    • Instytut Pracy I Edukacji
    • Youth For Equality
    • Prosvasi Anasygkrotisi Tis Astikis Dimokratikis Syn