Understanding the CitizenUnited Project
What it is
The CitizenUnited Project is an Erasmus+ cooperation partnership in higher education focused on inclusive civic education, digital participation, and accessibility in democratic life. It develops research-based educational resources, a specialised training package for faculty members, a coursework for students, and a digital platform that supports inclusive e-participation.
Why it was created
The project was created in response to persistently low levels of civic engagement and to the barriers that many individuals, especially people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, face when attempting to participate in democratic processes. It also recognises the strategic role of higher education institutions in preparing future public administrators, civil servants, and social and political professionals to promote inclusive democratic participation.
What problem it responds to
CitizenUnited responds to a dual challenge: the limited integration of inclusive civic engagement in higher education, and the insufficient availability of accessible digital tools that enable broader public participation in decision-making. In doing so, it seeks to strengthen both educational practice and democratic accessibility through a more inclusive and digitally enabled approach.