Experiencing Democracy: Holistic Approaches in Classroom and Nature

Project No.: KA122-ADU-6F7DB399 – funded by Erasmus+ (Adult Education)

Project Idea

With the Erasmus+ project Experiencing Democracy, the Roma Volkshochschule Burgenland is setting a strong example for democracy education in adult learning. The aim is to equip trainers and educators with innovative methods to convey democratic values and citizens’ rights in a practical way – especially for adults with transnational experiences.

An innovative focus lies in linking democracy education with nature-based pedagogy: in nature, people meet as equals. Walks, excursions, and methods such as forest bathing are used to make equality, respect, and shared responsibility tangible.

Project objectives & content

• Strengthening the competences of adult educators in the field of democracy education.
• Promoting critical thinking, participation, and inclusion in adult learning.
• Developing new methods to integrate nature-based experiences into democracy education.
• Empowering participants from countries shaped by war or authoritarian structures to actively engage in shaping social life.
• Multiplying results: training educators who will pass on their knowledge in their courses and through cooperation with NGOs, stakeholders and institutions.

Activities & Workshops

Workshop in Eisenstadt (Austria)
The first workshop brought together trainers, educators, and experts in Eisenstadt. Together they laid the foundation for the further project work: What does democracy mean in the everyday practice of adult education? How can freedom, equality, and participation be fostered concretely in heterogeneous groups?
Participants developed initial materials and gained experience with interactive methods, which were later deepened in Poland.

Workshop in Kłodzko (Poland)
From 26–30 May 2025, a multi-day training took place in the picturesque Kotlina Kłodzka region. The focus was on practically linking democracy and nature-based pedagogy.

• Seminars & inputs: European fundamental rights, anti-discrimination work, conflict resolution.
• Practical exercises in nature: forest walks, forest bathing, and group activities that made equality and community tangible.
• Scenario work: discussions on freedom of religion, workplace discrimination, and access to healthcare – each based on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Participants gained new methods for their teaching practice and strengthened their role as multipliers of democracy in adult education.

Sustainability

The concepts and methods developed in the project will be:

• integrated into the ongoing work of the Roma VHS,
• shared through internal trainings across Austria,
• disseminated via networks with NGOs, stakeholders, and educational institutions.

In this way, the project’s results will have an impact well beyond its duration and contribute to a more democratic and inclusive approach to adult education.

WORKSHOP in Oberwart (Austria):

Democracy Education and Addressing Discrimination and Radicalisation in Schools and the Classroom

As part of the project “Experiencing Democracy”, an interactive workshop was held on 4 December 2025 for future female educators shortly before completing their pedagogical training. A total of 10 participants took part.

The workshop addressed key aspects of democracy education, with a particular focus on discrimination, the principle of equality, recognition and processes of radicalisation and extremism. Participants explored structural, social and linguistic forms of discrimination and reflected on their relevance in everyday school life.

A further focus was placed on strengthening pedagogical confidence and professional action when dealing with radical, discriminatory or provocative statements made by young people. Through practical exercises, participants developed strategies for a professional, dialogue-oriented and at the same time clearly position-taking approach in educational practice. In addition, preventive approaches, support services and counselling institutions were introduced.

Project Partners

Coordination: Roma Volkshochschule Burgenland (Austria)

Partner organizations in Poland:

Foundation Consensius European Centre for Mediation (Warsaw)
Kłodzkie Towarzystwo Oświatowe (Kłodzko Association for Education)
Społeczne Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Kłodzku (Private Secondary School in Kłodzko)
GEM Krzysztof Roś (expert organization for nature pedagogy and forest bathing)

Project duration

01.09.2024 – 31.12.2025

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.