Erasmus+ and European Solidarity are tools to promote democratic participation. Are you wondering why and how? Let’s dive in!
First, we can note that, from 2021 and until 2027, “Participation in democratic life, civic engagement and common values” is one of the four horizontal priorities across all the sectors of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. This means that funded projects, as well as the work of National Agencies, European Commission and all stakeholders, should help translate the policy goals and core principles on democratic participation of the European Union (EU) into practical opportunities for learning and experiencing it.
In other words, all learning mobilities, as well as cooperation, solidarity, and policy development projects, should contribute to its participants feeling empowered and equipped to actively use their right to participate in the democratic life of their communities, at local, national and EU level.
And why is that? Let’s have look back on EU history! Promoting democratic participation is rooted in a long-term commitment that extends beyond a single funding cycle: it was enshrined in the core of the EU back in 1992, on the Treaty on European Union (Articles 10 to 12), which frame the Union as a system of representative democracy grounded in citizens’ ability to participate in public life, engage with institutions and have their voices heard in decision-making processes and systems.
Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (hereon “the Programmes”) are part of a wider ecosystem of EU policy frameworks that promote citizens’ participation. And while political contexts evolve and the EU Programmes may adopt new goals in different funding cycles, promoting participation in democratic life tends to remain central to the EU’s broader strategy.
Understanding participation
Why: a wider EU goal
Participation is considered a core pillar to strengthen democratic resilience, social cohesion and competences across Europe in key documents, from EU Treaties to even sectorial and targeted strategies and policy recommendations relating to the target groups of the programme such as European Education Area (with active citizenship as a key lifelong competence); the EU Youth Strategy (particularly with Youth Goal 9, “Space and Participation for all”); and more recently, in the Union of Skills and Preparedness Union Strategy. These two even advocate for support to community building and volunteering, and call on formal and non-formal education and the Programmes to embrace the promotion of democratic participation as part of comprehensive and high-quality and inclusive learning experiences that lead to active citizenship and excellence in Education and Training and Youth work.
What: democratic participation as a lived right
The EU Treaties frame democratic participation as a right, a principle and a shared responsibility. The Programmes interpret this not only as engagement in formal political processes, but as everyday democratic life: the set of practices, relationships and competences that allow people to contribute to their communities and to public decision-making.
This includes for example:
- developing democratic and civic competences;
- engaging in dialogue and fora for discussion;
- cooperating and exchanging of knowledge and practices;
- addressing challenges through individual and/or collective action;
- making voices heard and having a say in policy debates at local, national or European levels.
Where: participation across sectors
Participation in democratic life may look different in a youth organisation than in a school, a VET center, a university or a sports club. But across all fields, the Programmes encourage funding applicants to involve participants meaningfully in designing, running and evaluating their projects. Participatory approaches are not only a pedagogical choice: they are also a requirement for ensuring that Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps funding reaches diverse communities and address their needs, as well as specific obstacles and opportunities of local realities.
At the same time, funding also allows organisations from all sectors (and the youth workers, educators, community leaders, etc, within them) to “walk the talk” and build democratic cultures from within and make democracy visible in all areas of life, starting from early childhood education to lifelong learning.
How: the power of meaningful participation
When participants have a lived experience of meaningful participation through Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps, this can positively impact both their ability (competences, access to spaces, information and opportunities) and willingness (trust, sense of belonging, and empowerment) to take a more active civic or political role in their communities.
As described, this can be done by promoting inclusive, accessible and democratic spaces where decisions are shared with those impacted by them (including within the participating organisations themselves, but also policy-making and project and Programmes’ design and implementation). But also by learning about and experiencing civic and political engagement, and/or ensuring quality and user-friendly information and support that enables participation.
However, non-genuine or non-meaningful participation experiences (ex. a group of participants being asked to implement activities that they were not consulted about before they were designed or where they cannot make any decisions on the process or outcomes) can have the opposite effect and discourage further engagement.
As society, policies and education continuously evolve, so should the way we look at participation, because it is not a fixed model – but an evolving practice. And the Participation Resource Pool is here to help you!
Who: join the mission!
Promoting democratic participation reflects a long-term commitment to strengthening democracy, resilience and active citizenship and is a continuous process and a shared mission by both the EU and Programmes’ management structures, and each project coordinator, partner and participant who embraces it.
Can we count on you?
Ready to help build a more participatory, inclusive and engaged EU through, within and beyond the Programmes? Let’s create a kaleidoscope of learning, experimentation and reflection in how we can continue to build democracy together!
Dig into the Participation Pool to find relevant evidence-based knowledge on participation, explore practical tools and participatory methods, test new approaches, be inspired by existing projects – and also to share your materials and experiences with us!
This article was created in cooperation between SALTO PI and a commissioned expert author in December 2025.
