Watch the New Webinar Series: Democratic Participation Across Education Sectors

3 October 2025

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The SALTO Participation and Information Resource Centre (SALTO PI) has launched a new learning series designed to strengthen knowledge and practical skills on participation in both formal and non-formal education.

The Participation Academy for National Agencies of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps brought together experts to explore how democratic participation can be embedded across adult education, higher education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), school education, and the youth sector. These webinars provide valuable insights for professionals working with Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, and beyond.

“Each webinar introduces a different framework or model, offering the opportunity to explore democratic participation and civic engagement in a more nuanced and in-depth way. It also sparks reflection on the differences and similarities in how meaningful participation can be strengthened across various sectors,” explained Dorina-Alina Beşleaga, Coordinator for Learning and Capacity Building at SALTO PI.

“While the series was originally designed for the staff of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps National Agencies, the expert inputs go beyond this target group – covering theories, models, and practical examples that are relevant not only to this field of study but also to participation in both non-formal and formal education. In this sense, the webinars are a valuable resource for anyone who wants to enhance democratic participation in their work in a practical and meaningful way,” she added.

Practical examples and deepening expertise

Whether you are working directly with learners, managing EU programmes, or shaping participation strategies, these expert talks provide practical ideas you can apply immediately.

The webinars are designed to:

  • Build a strong foundation in democratic participation frameworks and approaches.
  • Offer practical examples that can be applied in everyday work.
  • Support professionals who are new to the field as well as those looking to deepen their expertise.

Watch the webinar recordings

The webinars took place from July to September and the recordings of the expert sessions are now freely available on the SALTO PI YouTube channel. Each session features leading voices in the field of participation:

1. Participation in Adult EducationAnni Karttunen, Education Policy Specialist
Read a summary article.
One-pager summary here.

2. Democratic Participation in Higher EducationTomaz Deželan (PhD), Professor at University of Ljubljana
Read a summary article.
One-pager summary here.

3. Democratic Participation in School EducationCharlie Moreno Romero (PhD), Educational consultant and researcher
Read a summary article.
One-pager summary here.

4. Democratic Participation in the Youth SectorSpyros Papadatos, Secretary General at Rural Youth Europe
Read a summary article.
One-pager summary here.

5. Democratic Participation in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) –
Per-Ake Rosvall, Professor at Umeå University, Department of Creative Studies (Teacher Education)
Read a summary article.
One-pager summary here.