Ages 9 to 13 · Teaching kit
A learning guide for children to explore how democracy works, become democracy champions, and take action in their school and local community.
Ages 15 and over · Classroom toolkit
Four interactive classroom lessons introducing secondary students to EU decision-making and how citizens use the European Citizens' Initiative to propose new EU laws.
Ages 15 and over · Pedagogical kit
A teaching kit providing educators with practical guidance, hands-on creative activities, and discussion prompts exploring how contemporary artworks relate to democratic values.
Ages 15 and over · Illustrated publication
An introductory publication explaining what the European Union is, how its institutions take democratic decisions, and what policies it delivers for citizens.
Ages 12 to 15 · Teaching kit
Classroom teaching materials guiding students through ethical dilemmas, exploring fundamental human rights, and examining the balance between rights and responsibilities.
Classroom handbook download:
Download the official Democracy Toolkit educator guide (PDF) · Available in all 24 EU languages.
Ages 15 and over · Online simulation game (60 min)
An online game where students take on the role of Members of the European Parliament to debate, negotiate, and vote on EU law proposals in an interactive 60-minute simulation.
Ages 12 to 15 · Illustrated booklet
An illustrated publication for young learners discovering European history, geography, languages, and how EU countries cooperate in peace.
Ages 15 and over · Decision-making game
An interactive learning game and role-play where students take on the roles of EU, national, and city decision-makers to explore migration and integration policies.
Ages 12 and over · Video explainer
An educational video explaining the core values shared by EU countries—including human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law.
Ages 15 and over · 1-minute video series
Short, one-minute video explainers from the European Parliament detailing the role of MEPs, the democratic lawmaking process, and European elections.
Taking place across Europe, European Youth Week and EU youth competitions encourage active citizenship, student creativity, and democratic engagement:
- European Youth Week activities: Explore the activities map to discover local and national events organized across EU Member States and online.
- ImagineEU competition for secondary schools: Students create short video concepts for a European Citizens' Initiative to win an educational study trip to Brussels.
- EU Youth Dialogue: Connect youth directly with European decision-makers to help shape policies affecting young people.
- European Youth Portal: Follow web-streamed youth sessions and find opportunities for youth exchanges and volunteering.
Organized by the European Parliament and Commission, these flagship programs offer students and educators direct contact with EU democracy:
- European Youth Event (EYE) official portal: Discover the biennial Strasbourg gathering bringing together thousands of young people aged 16 to 30, plus regional Local EYEs across Member States.
- European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS): The official network and certification for secondary schools actively teaching European parliamentary democracy.
- Euroscola in Strasbourg: A parliamentary simulation where secondary school students debate in the European Parliament hemicycle as Members of the European Parliament.
- Experience Europe exhibition centre: The European Commission interactive exhibition centre in Brussels offering free guided workshops and games for school trips.
- Europe Direct local centres: Connect with over 400 local centres across all EU Member States for classroom visits, guest speakers, and free publications.