The "Eurovalues nexus: Empowering European Citizens” SAP Programme aims to deepen participants' understanding of the European Union (EU), European values, and their interconnectedness with European citizenship. Through a comprehensive exploration of various dimensions of citizenship—political, economic, environmental, and cultural— the programme seeks to empower participants with knowledge and skills to actively engage as informed and responsible European citizens in an increasingly interconnected and diverse European Union.

This SAP Programme is structured in three parts:

Part One: Online Sessions

Using online sessions (4) as a springboard, students will critically analyse European values, considering their relevance in the past, present and future of the European Union. Each session will be 2 hours in duration, offering in-depth discussions and interactive activities to explore the chosen values.

Part Two: Face-to-Face week at FHV, Austria

The course's second part, hosted at FHV (Austria), will empower SAP participants and European citizens to translate their theoretical knowledge into practical projects. This phase will highlight the tangible impact of the European Union and European values on society and policymaking. The project outcomes are anticipated to stimulate active participation in democratic processes and foster increased EU citizenship awareness.

Part Three: Online Wrap up Session

Reaching the conclusion of our "Eurovalues Nexus: Empowering European Citizens" SAP, this final online wrap-up session aims to reflect on our shared journey, evaluate our achievements, and consider areas for improvement.

Skills honed by SAP participants include teamwork, critical thinking, research, project planning, presentation skills, and peer reviewing - all highly valued in the modern labour market. By fostering an in-depth understanding of European values and the democratic processes of the European Union, students are better prepared to navigate and contribute to the evolving European socio-cultural, political, and democratic landscape.

Blended

IPLeiria and FHV

Enhanced Understanding of the European Union. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure, functions, and objectives of the European Union, including its history, institutions, policies, and decision-making processes.

Appreciation of European Values. Participants will explore and reflect on the core values that underpin the European Union, such as democracy, human rights, rule of law, equality, solidarity, and cultural diversity. They will understand how these values contribute to the European identity and shape European citizenship.

Interconnection with European Citizenship. Participants will examine the concept of European citizenship and its evolving nature in the context of the European Union. They will explore the rights and responsibilities of European citizens and understand how EU citizenship complements national citizenship

Empowerment of European Citizens. By acquiring knowledge and critical thinking skills on EU-related topics and citizenship dimensions, participants will be empowered to actively engage in civic life, contribute to democratic processes, advocate for social justice, promote sustainability, and foster cross-cultural understanding and cooperation within Europe.

Exploration of Different Dimensions of Citizenship:

Political Citizenship: participants will learn about the rights and duties of EU citizens in the political sphere, including voting rights, participation in democratic processes, and advocacy for social and political change.

Economic Citizenship: participants will explore economic aspects of citizenship, including the single market, economic integration, and the Eurozone, and understand how economic policies impact citizens' lives.

Environmental Citizenship: participants will examine environmental challenges facing Europe, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource management, and explore the role of citizens in promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Cultural Citizenship: participants will appreciate the rich cultural diversity of Europe and explore how cultural heritage, language, arts, and traditions contribute to European identity and thus common citizenship.

This SAP aims to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation, empowering participants to become active and informed European citizens dedicated to upholding and promoting core European values.