Citizenship-, Identity-, European Values-, Inclusion-, and Community development through Societal Participatory Theatre Activities in a Global Europe

In the face of global crises such as climate change, the unforeseen consequences of digital transformation and geopolitical instability, CIVIC STAGE addresses the need for inclusive and effective citizenship education. Traditional methods often fail to connect with the realities of young people, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. The project aims to empower young people to engage in democracy by combining formal and non-formal learning with participatory theatre methods. This innovative, co-creative approach resonates with young people's concerns and challenges. Participatory theatre transforms passive observers into active participants, engaging them in storytelling and enabling them to influence the narrative. It fosters democratic participation and raises awareness of European values by involving communities in dialogue on societal issues.The project's objectives include developing and assessing participatory theatre methods to enhance citizenship education, piloting these methods in diverse settings, and evaluating their impact on young people's civic engagement. The design involves a mixed-methods research approach that also includes artistic data collection and analysis. Co-creating and involving stakeholders at all stages ensures that the project benefits not only young people but also educators, policymakers, and society at large. The project aims to significantly impact young people's civic engagement and democratic participation by involving them in co-creating educational modules and piloting these methods in various settings.Key results will include the training of at least 160 facilitators in 11 countries, the piloting of participatory theatre blended with gamified digital practices in at least 160 groups comprising around 3,200 young people, 8 training modules, policy recommendations and step-by-step toolboxes for educators. These will be disseminated globally to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the project's outcomes.