Relevant European Policy Documents
Discover key European guidance
The following policy documents at EU and Council of Europe level provide the key political framework for education on democratic participation, common values, and human rights in Europe. They demonstrate that our work and the approaches presented in this toolkit are firmly grounded in existing European strategies, recommendations, and resolutions. In this way, the toolkit supports users in developing their practice in alignment with current EU and Council of Europe initiatives promoting democratic education and active citizenship.
Why this matters for teachers
- Connects classroom practice with widely shared European values such as democracy, human rights, inclusion, and the rule of law
- Provides a strong policy foundation for teaching citizenship, critical thinking, and participation
- Helps schools align their educational work with European priorities while strengthening students’ sense of belonging and active engagement
The following key documents provide the European policy context for education for democratic citizenship and common values.
EU level
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The issue paper examines the European dimension of citizenship education, building on the European Commission’s Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training. The paper reviews EU policy and legal frameworks, young people’s attitudes towards the EU, citizenship competence frameworks, curricula and teaching practices across Europe. It concludes with insights on EU funding, policy initiatives, communities of practice, and inspiring projects supporting the European dimension of citizenship education.
The 2023 Council conclusions on education and training for common European values and democratic citizenship emphasize strengthening EU democratic resilience amidst crises by prioritizing citizenship education, critical thinking, and media literacy. It calls for fostering a shared sense of belonging and promoting, at all levels, the values of freedom, equality, and the rule of law.
The 6 April 2022 European Parliament resolution on the implementation of citizenship education (2021/2008(INI)) calls for a stronger, more harmonized approach to teaching democratic values, human rights, and the EU’s role across member states. It emphasizes fostering critical thinking, media literacy, and active participation in civic life to strengthen European identity.
Strategic framework supporting youth in becoming active citizens through Erasmus+ and ESC.
The Recommendation aims to promote a sense of belonging – conveying common values, practicing inclusive education, and teaching about Europe and its Member States to help increase a sense of belonging to one’s school, locality, country, as well as the European family.
The European Commission works with EU Member States to support and reinforce the development of key competences and basic skills for all, from an early age and throughout life. Identifies “citizenship competences” as a key competence; includes understanding EU common values, awareness of national/European/global developments, European integration, cultural diversity, and how national identities contribute to a shared European identity.
Key documents on Council of Europe level
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The RFCDC is a set of educational materials designed to help education systems develop young people’s competences for promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Based on the Model of Competences for Democratic Culture (the “butterfly model”), it supports learners in becoming active, responsible citizens who can participate effectively in democratic life, live peacefully with others, and engage respectfully in culturally diverse societies through a structured approach to teaching, learning, and assessment.
The three volumes are available in more than 15 European languages:
https://www.coe.int/en/web/reference-framework-of-competences-for-democratic-culture/rfcdc-volumes
The Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC) contains detailed guidance for ministries of education and education practitioners on how the conceptual model of competences and the descriptors can be used to create more effective education systems for promoting learners’ competences for democratic culture:
https://www.coe.int/en/web/reference-framework-of-competences-for-democratic-culture/guidance-for-implementation
The Charter is a policy framework that defines how education should promote democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law, while preventing discrimination, intolerance, violence, and extremism. It states that education for democratic citizenship and human rights should cover all areas of life and forms of learning, empowering people to participate actively, responsibly, and respectfully in a diverse democratic society. Furthermore, it calls on Council of Europe member states to align policies, curricula, and educational practices in order to implement these goals in a systematic and sustainable way.
Educational tip for this section
Human Rights and Democracy Start with Us – Charter for All
With the brochures on the Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education, the Council of Europe has created a pool of resources that supports engagement with this important foundational document in the classroom. It is the only teaching material that takes a policy document on citizenship education as its subject and is also suitable for younger children. It offers an engaging and innovative pedagogical approach. The brochures, posters and the guidelines for educators are available in various languages.