Democratic Schools Network

The project “Free to Speak, Safe to Learn - Democratic Schools for All” supports schools across Europe in building and maintaining democratic culture.
On the whole, the project aims to:
- Identify successful democratic practices to show how schools move from theory and policy to practice.
- Promote the sharing of expertise and provide networking opportunities for schools.
- Help schools implement projects and initiatives that favour inclusion and freedom of speech in safe learning environments.
- Further develop the democratic engagement and competences of children and young people.
- Support the use of the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture in practice.
- Empower schools to tackle key challenges in the classroom using both existing and new tools.
- Establish a network of democratic schools recognised by the Council of Europe.
- Highlight the benefits to society of human rights and citizenship education in building inclusive and sustainable democracies.
Is your school doing a project / practice related to the themes of our project?
If yes, share it with us and with other practitioners across Europe!
You just need to fill out the following documents:
- Submit a new or ongoing project and/or practice
- Commit to the Council of Europe Democratic Schools Pledge
Your school will become a member of the Democratic Schools Network and your school project will be presented on a dedicated webpage so thousands of education practitioners across Europe can learn about it!

The six main themes of the project “Free to Speak, Safe to Learn - Democratic Schools for All”
Making children’s and students’ voices heard
Addressing controversial issues
Preventing violence and bullying
Dealing with propaganda, misinformation and fake news