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European Union: A Project United in Diversity

The link between the Erasmus+ programme’s horizontal priorities—inclusion and diversity, and participation in democratic life, common values, and civic engagement—is clear: true participation can only occur when safe, inclusive spaces are created where all people—regardless of their background—can engage as equals in decision-making processes that affect them.

As topics such as active participation, civic engagement, and European citizenship gain increasing importance, they require greater attention from stakeholders at all levels. To help strengthen a sense of belonging to the European Union and raise awareness of the importance of active citizenship, the Italian National Agency INDIRE, in collaboration with 10 other National Agencies, has launched a long-term activity: PEACE – Participation Erasmus Alumni for Civic Engagement.

Designed primarily for Erasmus+ programme participants and other stakeholders, PEACE introduces European integration from both civic and political perspectives. As part of this effort, the partnership has developed a series of video modules addressing a range of topics tied to the EU’s core values and goals. These include the European elections, EU history and institutions, cultural diversity, colonialism, and more—each discussed in relation to international mobility and the Erasmus+ programme.

One standout module, Diversity in Europe and European Citizenship Education, offers valuable insights into how the priorities of inclusion and participation interact within the Erasmus+ framework, viewed through multiple perspectives and forms of diversity.

To explore these important topics and access the full video series, visit the LTA PEACE webpage.

A photo of colorful cards and a sign that says "Training of I&D Officers"

Training of Inclusion and Diversity (ID) Officers

From June 9 to 11 in Zagreb, the SALTO Resource Centre for Inclusion and Diversity in Education and Training (SALTO ID ET) organized a Training of Inclusion and Diversity (ID) Officers for less experienced ID officers from the education and training sectors. The goal of the training was to strengthen their knowledge in this Erasmus+ programme priority area and improve their skills in leading workshops on these topics. The event brought together over 25 ID Officers from National Agencies across Europe. 

The meeting opened with a warm welcome by Ms. Lidija Živković, Head of SALTO ID ET, followed by an introduction session led by experienced ID trainers Gisele Evrard and Sunčana Kusturin, who facilitated the entire event. The first day of the training saw the participants set the framework for a safe and engaged learning environment as workshop participants and tackle the concept of ID in different systems and contexts. These insights were then built into sessions on preparing, facilitating and evaluating workshops and dealing with complex situations in workshop settings on the second day of the event, which closed with a special guided tour of Zagreb, based on the perspective of persecuted women throughout its history. 

According to the participants’ feedback, the training delivered  valuable practical lessons in sensitizing NA staff, beneficiaries and external Erasmus+ assessors to the importance of ID in E+ projects. The value of taking a step back to analyze both their role as participants and as workshop organizers in order to better understand the needs of beneficiaries and end users was recognized by the officers, many of whom stayed on to take part in the ensuing 8th Meeting of ID Officers in Zagreb.