EP2024: Between reality and hope
THE CIVICS Innovation Hub
Our mission is to strengthen the democratic competence, self-efficacy, and resilience of citizens across Europe.
The upcoming European elections are set against a backdrop of a continent in flux, with critical issues of defence, security, and competitiveness at the forefront. Amid rising far-right sentiment, the election’s dominant narrative is security, driven by statecraft. However, this focus on external security might eventually backfire as societies grow weary. The recent high turnout in Poland's elections, driven by younger and female voters with progressive agendas, highlights a significant shift. Yet, mobilising these voters is increasingly costly due to demographic decline. Moreover, European democracies face the added challenge of potential Russian meddling, a long-standing issue that continues to evolve as Russia exploits EU's financial openness to channel resources into political influence.
Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires a recommitment to democratic values and active civic engagement. The rise of authoritarian populism, bolstered by strategic corruption and external influence, underscores the need for a robust defence of democracy. It’s not just about recognising the threats but also about mobilising citizens to engage politically, fostering a sense of agency and cooperation. This election is not merely a test of political strategies but a crucial moment for European societies to reaffirm their commitment to democratic principles and collective progress, ensuring a resilient and competitive Europe in the face of global challenges.?
Read more about this and other?EP election topics in the outcomes of the Sofia Lab, The 2024 EP elections: Between reality and hope, organised by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub, in cooperation with Visegrad Insight and the European Council on Foreign Relations. ?
NECE Festival
Registration for NECE Festival 2024: BORDERS is now open! Join over 200 practitioners from civic education, civil society, politics, culture, arts, media, and academia, along with activists, thinkers, and change-makers in Tirana, Albania, from November 14-17! Get inspired by innovative ideas and compelling projects addressing BORDERS across themes ranging from climate change and green literacy, media and digital literacy, to geographies of division, diversity and community work, migration regimes, civic education and governance.
Experience an interactive and inclusive format connecting various venues, interdisciplinary topics, and diverse cultural activities – all within a true festival atmosphere!
NECE Labs
Our first two labs for this year included a gathering in Osijek, Croatia, focused on promoting European values in local communities, and a workshop in Sofia, Bulgaria, analysing strategies for effective civic engagement in Europe. We have compiled some lessons learned from the Sofia lab in this blog post in the hope that they help you and us navigate the remainder of this pivotal election year - don't hesitate to reach out and continue the conversation!
Upcoming labs
Art as a bridge: Fostering civic education on borders, organised by THE CIVICS in cooperation with NorthWork Ireland and VCAS, Vienna, Austria (4 – 5 July)
After our prep lab for the NECE Festival in Tirana this month, next up is a lab in Vienna on July 4-5, focusing on "Art as a Bridge: Fostering Civic Education on Borders." Organised in collaboration with NorthWork and THE CIVICS Innovation Hub, this two-day event will feature discussions, workshops, and immersive experiences to highlight the transformative power of art in cultivating civic consciousness and fostering empathy. Civic education practitioners with experience in divided communities and polarised societies will share best practices for addressing different kinds of borders.
NECE Campus
In the past few months NECE Campus was a space for important discussions, new perspectives, and invaluable insights from global experts, all aimed at empowering civic educators to enhance their impact. As we near the end of this year's first session cycle, we're excited to invite you to our final event before we break for the summer. Join us to explore how futures thinking can strengthen democracies by engaging citizens in innovative ways, inspired by the PBS documentary "A Brief History of the Future" with expert Michelle Blanchet.
Futures thinking meets civic engagement, 11 June, 17:30 CET
NECE Magazine
Having devoted a year to reflect on the topic of FUTURES, we firmly believe that embracing multiple possible futures requires more than just understanding the challenges of today; it demands a proactive approach and a steadfast commitment to shaping a brighter tomorrow. With this ethos in mind, we present our first issue of the NECE Magazine, dedicated to exploring the transformative power of civic education in times defined by rapid change and uncertainty.
Within its pages, you'll find the reflections of thinkers and practitioners who offer invaluable insights into the role of civic education in navigating things like finding the right balance in the use of technology and a human-centric approach in the age of AI; strategic marketing and innovative ways inspiring youth to take active roles in environmental advocacy; the promotion of deep reading as a vehicle for the evaluation and discovery of truth; engaging in educators' own wellbeing and inner work as a must for greater civic power; training the imagination through hope based narratives as one way of offering viable alternatives to populist extremes - and so much more!
At NECE, dialogue is at the heart of everything we do. We see this magazine as more than just a publication; it is a gateway to an ongoing conversation. It is an invitation to engage, to converse, and to collaborate in charting the course of civic education.
Tools for the community
Helping young first-time voters take centre stage at the 2024 European Elections. Palumba is a tinder-style app that allows voters to swipe for electoral mates delivered by an association of young professionals who have found a solution to stimulate young people's participation in the European elections. You don't yet know who to vote for in the European elections? This app may be for you.
Launched in response to the global decline of democratic norms and institutions, The Democracy Playbook focuses on sharing successful strategies from movements resisting authoritarianism. This project aims to provide context-rich reporting on how communities worldwide defend democracy, emphasising that truthful, non-neutral journalism is essential in exposing and countering threats. By highlighting stories of past and present movements, The Democracy Playbook seeks to inspire and educate on effective tactics for protecting democratic values and institutions.
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Get Out & Vote is an initiative by Fine Acts, a global nonprofit creative studio for social impact. In light of the forthcoming EP elections, Fine Acts worked with 27 outstanding illustrators, one from each EU member state, who designed posters on the topic of democratic participation. These artworks are at the heart of a vast campaign in support of European unity and values – which features showcases across European cities; an AR exhibition; and a vast online activation to build momentum before the EP elections in June. All works are published under a specific open license, so that anyone can use them non-commercially to spread the message of the importance of voting.
This online data tool, developed by European Partnership for Democracy (EDP) visualises democracy support spending from European institutions and European donors for the period 2014-2020. It uses data recategorised by the European Democracy Hub team, focusing on 12 key core democracy support areas: Civil and Political Rights, Civil Society Support, Civic and Political Education, Electoral Assistance, Election Observation & Follow-up Missions, Justice and the Rule of Law, Media Support, Parliamentary Strengthening, Political Participation, Political Party Support, Political Inclusion, Transparency & anti-corruption.?
This Visegrad Insight report analyses the various outcomes of the upcoming EP elections as well as the formation of the new commission on democracy and the global position of the European Union. It systematically examines internal and external challenges, mapping EU responses to safeguard democratic resilience and electoral processes. Additionally, it provides specific policy recommendations to enhance democracy within the Union. THE CIVICS Innovation Hub is a partner in this project along with nine other partners.?
Noteworthy opportunities for civic educators
Deadline for applications: July 2, 2024
Designed for emerging civil society leaders aged 21-27 and run by IREX, this program equips participants with the skills, resources, and networks needed to build healthy and engaged communities. Participants will engage in a three-month practicum in the U.S., followed by a Leadership and Civic Engagement Academy, and will receive support for implementing community projects in their home countries.
Deadline for a concept note: June 25, 2024
The e-Governance Academy (eGA) invites civil society organisations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to apply for KnowCyber Grants. Funded by the European Commission, these grants support cybersecurity capacity building, cyber hygiene, and online safety initiatives. Grants range from EUR 20,000 to EUR 30,000 for up to 12 months, targeting activities such as training, workshops, awareness campaigns, and research.?
Deadline for applications: June 30, 2024
The Bridging Gaps Award 2024 is a joint initiative of EUSTORY and NECE, organised by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub and supported by K?rber-Stiftung and is seeking NGOs across Europe with impactful youth unity projects. With the aim of fostering cohesion in polarised societies, the winning organisation will receive €10,000 to expand their initiatives, gain visibility in prestigious platforms such as NECE, EUSTORY, and/or K?rber-Stiftung activities, and contribute to building bridges across diverse communities.?
Regenerative economics for secondary schools
Discover how a global movement is reshaping economics education:?
Regenerative Economics for secondary schools offers free, comprehensive learning materials to empower students and teachers in building economies that respect both human and planetary wellbeing:
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*Image credits from top to bottom: Unslpash, Gergana Pavlova, Gustaf ?hrnell Hjalmars