CGE recently co-hosted a workshop with The Plurals, a youth group of international university students in Erfurt. This final event for Civics in VET project took place at the University of Erfurt, bringing together students, educators and youth. The event created a welcoming and open space to exchange ideas, reflect, and discuss what civic education looks like today, and how it can be improved, focusing on the findings and lessons learned from our project.
One of the strongest takeaways from the workshop was how much young people care about civic topics such as inclusion, democratic participation, and well-being. At the same time, many participants shared that they don’t always feel comfortable expressing their opinions in formal educational settings. This highlighted the importance of creating safer, more inclusive spaces where different perspectives are respected and encouraged.
The workshop also showed how impactful more interactive and practical approaches can be. Through group discussions and collaborative activities, participants were able to connect civic topics to their own experiences, making the learning process feel more relevant and engaging. These methods stood in clear contrast to more traditional approaches, which are sometimes seen as too distant from young people’s realities.
From the perspective of educators and youth workers, important structural challenges were also discussed. Limited time, lack of resources, and insufficient institutional support often make it difficult to implement meaningful civic education activities on a regular basis. Despite this, there was a shared sense that collaboration, especially between different groups and organizations, can make a real difference.
CGE left the workshop feeling encouraged and inspired by the openness and engagement of everyone involved. A special thank you goes to all participants, and especially to The Plurals, for bringing their perspectives and energy into the discussion. Moments like this show how important it is to continue creating spaces where young people feel heard, involved, and empowered.
