Examples of policy and practice in VET
From 2023, members of the Expert Group on the RFCDC and VET and the EPAN Network shared examples of policies and practices related to the implementation of the RFCDC in VET. 112 examples have been collected and are presented in this page by country and by topic. The topics correspond to the chapters of the publication Learning democracy in vocational education and training in Europe: An anthology (2025).
The content of and the opinions expressed in these examples are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Council of Europe.
By Country
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
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A train-the-trainer workshop for empowerment against inequality – across Europe
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“Apprentices’ Parliament” initiative: Parliament simulation for apprentices
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Civic Education as compulsory subject at part-time Vocational Schools
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Civic Education Lessons for apprentices at Austrian Federal Railway
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Linking Citizenship and Employability Perspectives in Adult Learning (LICEAL) – across Europe
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Project #Demokratie macht Schule: If it´s about them, don’t do it without them
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School-based Campaign “Science and Democracy are part of our DNA”
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Teacher Training for Civic Education at Part-time Vocational Schools
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The role of Social Partners within democratic culture for apprentices
Belgium
Denmark
France
Georgia
Germany
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A train-the-trainer workshop for empowerment against inequality – across Europe
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Qualification Requirements for In-Company Apprenticeship Trainers
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Starke Lehrer – starke Schüler/”Strong teachers – strong pupils”
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Youth and trainee councils to represent the interests of apprentices, trainees and young workers
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Poland
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Serbia
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Introducing RFCDC into the curriculum of the elective course “Entrepreneurship”
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Project "Glove for translating sign language into text format" in VET school
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Program “Care about health” in an Agricultural and Chemical School
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The Technical School in Vlasotince at the conference "Your Europe, Your Voice!"
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
Türkiye
Ukraine
By topic
Assessment and quality assurance
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Teaching CDC in VET schools and student participation (Armenia)
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Equality and Non-Discrimination Plan and Student Welfare Plan (Finland)
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Good Guidance Criteria (Finland)
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Personal Competence Development Plan for VET students (Finland)
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Study to assess the situation of CDCs (Georgia)
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Survey on the perception of democracy in decision-making at school (Greece)
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Peer mediation for conflict resolution in VET schools (Montenegro)
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The activities of the Centre for VET and NGOs for developing democratic competencies of teachers and students (North Macedonia)
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Freed from theory – Linking an NGO initiative with formal schooling (Poland)
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“Education for society” as compulsory subject in VET system (Republic of Moldova)
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CDC assessment in the Scottish National Certificate in Health and Social Care (United Kingdom)
Curriculum
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Learning CDC in VET in schools (Albania)
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CDC and the Vocational Baccalaureate in Social and Community Support (Andorra)
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Learners’ voice and participation at the Andorran VET School (Andorra)
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The “Tàndem” Project: an innovation laboratory for democratic culture (Andorra)
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"SKY" youth clubs in VET schools for future active citizens (Armenia)
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Teaching CDC in VET schools and student participation (Armenia)
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Civic Education as compulsory subject at part-time Vocational Schools (Austria)
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Political Education within Higher Vocational Colleges (Austria)
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Project #Demokratie macht Schule: If it´s about them, don’t do it without them (Austria)
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“Brussel Beleven”: a project to meet Brussels and its social reality (Belgium)
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Social studies as part of VET curricula (Denmark)
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CDC as an interdisciplinary topic in VET teacher training (Finland)
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Regulatory measures to promote CDC (Finland)
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Adapting the RFCDC in the new Moral and Civic Education curricula (France)
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Implementing the RFCDC within Moral and Civic Education in the VET: the Example of a Mock Trial in 10th Grade VET classes (France)
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CDC implementation through a civic education module in VET schools (Georgia)
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Grant competition for the creation of digital educational resources in VET (Georgia)
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Project on Digital Resistance in VET school EPAL Korydallou (Greece)
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Flexible Learning Pathways under the VET Act of 2019 (Hungary)
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Gender studies in vocational education (Iceland)
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Inclusion of special needs students in vocational education (Iceland)
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Peer mediation for conflict resolution in VET schools (Montenegro)
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Sociology and History as compulsory subjects and Student parliaments in VET school (Montenegro)
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Citizenship education at Firda (Netherlands)
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Joint and bilingual classes to strengthen intercultural relations in VET (North Macedonia)
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Subject “Cultural heritage in the hands of young people” in VET schools (North Macedonia)
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The activities of the Centre for VET and NGOs for developing democratic competencies of teachers and students (North Macedonia)
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Various initiatives for CDC in VET schools (Portugal)
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“Education for society” as compulsory subject in VET system (Republic of Moldova)
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Democratic competencies integrated into the Training Standards (Romania)
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Introducing RFCDC into the curriculum of the elective course “Entrepreneurship” (Serbia)
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Program “Care about health” in an Agricultural and Chemical School (Serbia)
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The experimental subject Ethics in Gymnasium and VET schools (Slovak Republic)
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Active Citizenship activities at Secondary School of Design, Maribor (Slovenia)
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Active Citizenship curriculum for general and vocational schools (Slovenia)
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Integrating values into the Basque Country's VET learning model (Spain)
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Development of the course "Democracy: ideas in practice" in VET schools (Ukraine)
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Integration of Civic Democratic Competences in VET Education (Ukraine)
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Department for Education’s 16 to 19 study programmes guidance (United Kingdom)
Implementing CDC in VET schools
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Linking Citizenship and Employability Perspectives in Adult Learning (LICEAL) (across Europe)
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Learning CDC in VET in schools (Albania)
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CDC and the Vocational Baccalaureate in Social and Community Support (Andorra)
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Learners’ voice and participation at the Andorran VET School (Andorra)
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Strategic plan to promote inclusion and equal opportunities in VET programmes (Andorra)
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The “Tàndem” Project: an innovation laboratory for democratic culture (Andorra)
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Project “Labour rights protection at the first workplace” in VET schools (Armenia)
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"SKY" youth clubs in VET schools for future active citizens (Armenia)
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Teaching CDC in VET schools and student participation (Armenia)
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“Apprentices’ Parliament” initiative: Parliament simulation for apprentices (Austria)
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Arbeitswelt & Schule | The World of Work & School programme (Austria)
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Citizenship education activities days (Austria)
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Democracy and Science Week for Polytechnical schools (Austria)
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Political Education within Higher Vocational Colleges (Austria)
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Youth 4 Change (Belgium)
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Right to establish student councils in VET schools (Denmark)
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Social studies as part of VET curricula (Denmark)
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CDC as an interdisciplinary topic in VET teacher training (Finland)
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Equality and Non-Discrimination Plan and Student Welfare Plan (Finland)
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Good Guidance Criteria (Finland)
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The Franco-German Youth Office for youth exchanges (France and Germany)
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Call for VET Schools: Funding for Projects to Develop Key Competencies (Georgia)
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CDC implementation through a civic education module in VET schools (Georgia)
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Enhancing student citizenship through extracurricular activities (Georgia)
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Innovative teaching in VET (Georgia)
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Increasing societal inclusion in VET management system (Georgia)
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Qualification Requirements for In-Company Apprenticeship Trainers (Germany)
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CDC for refugee learners (Greece)
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Engaging VET students in democracy through aesthetic experience (Greece)
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Project on Digital Resistance in VET school EPAL Korydallou (Greece)
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School project on the “Situation of Minorities Through Individual Lives” (Hungary)
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Gender studies in vocational education (Iceland)
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Peer mediation for conflict resolution in VET schools (Montenegro)
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Sociology and History as compulsory subjects and Student parliaments in VET school (Montenegro)
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Citizenship education at Firda (Netherlands)
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#MBOSTem : bridging the gap between politicians and VET students (Netherlands)
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Partner Up!: Inclusive participation at the Hague University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
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Joint and bilingual classes to strengthen intercultural relations in VET (North Macedonia)
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Subject “Cultural heritage in the hands of young people” in VET schools (North Macedonia)
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The activities of the Centre for VET and NGOs for developing democratic competencies of teachers and students (North Macedonia)
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Freed from theory – Linking an NGO initiative with formal schooling (Poland)
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Various initiatives for CDC in VET schools (Portugal)
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“Education for society” as compulsory subject in VET system (Republic of Moldova)
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Democratic competencies integrated into the Training Standards (Romania)
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“Youth Is Debating" - a prestigious national contest in schools (Romania)
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Day of Education for Democratic Culture in VET schools (Serbia)
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Program “Care about health” in an Agricultural and Chemical School (Serbia)
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Project "Glove for translating sign language into text format" in VET school (Serbia)
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Competition about democratic values and human rights for gymnasium and VET students (Slovak Republic)
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The experimental subject Ethics in Gymnasium and VET schools (Slovak Republic)
-
Active Citizenship activities at Secondary School of Design, Maribor (Slovenia)
-
Active Citizenship curriculum for general and vocational schools (Slovenia)
-
Gender equality activities in schools (Slovenia)
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Integrating values into the Basque Country's VET learning model (Spain)
-
CDC in-companies trainings (Switzerland)
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Development of the course "Democracy: ideas in practice" in VET schools (Ukraine)
-
Integration of Civic Democratic Competences in VET Education (Ukraine)
Inclusion
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CDC for refugee learners (Greece)
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Flexible Learning Pathways under the VET Act of 2019 (Hungary)
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Gender studies in vocational education (Iceland)
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Inclusion of special needs students in vocational education (Iceland)
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Partner Up!: Inclusive participation at the Hague University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
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Joint and bilingual classes to strengthen intercultural relations in VET (North Macedonia)
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Project "Glove for translating sign language into text format" in VET school (Serbia)
In-company training
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Civic Education Lessons for apprentices at Austrian Federal Railway (Austria)
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Equality and Non-Discrimination Plan and Student Welfare Plan (Finland)
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Personal Competence Development Plan for VET students (Finland)
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The Civic Education VET Teacher Network (Georgia)
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Qualification Requirements for In-Company Apprenticeship Trainers (Germany)
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Apprenticeships at ESB Networks (Ireland)
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Industry placements for teachers (Malta)
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CDC in-companies trainings (Switzerland)
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Department for Education’s 16 to 19 study programmes guidance (United Kingdom)
Initial and continuing VET teacher training
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“Brussel Beleven”: a project to meet Brussels and its social reality (Belgium)
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Grant competition for the creation of digital educational resources in VET (Georgia)
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Study to assess the situation of CDCs (Georgia)
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Qualification Requirements for In-Company Apprenticeship Trainers (Germany)
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Starke Lehrer – starke Schüler/”Strong teachers – strong pupils” (Germany)
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Project on Digital Resistance in VET school EPAL Korydallou (Greece)
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Industry placements for teachers (Malta)
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Peer mediation for conflict resolution in VET schools (Montenegro)
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Citizenship education at Firda (Netherlands)
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The activities of the Centre for VET and NGOs for developing democratic competencies of teachers and students (North Macedonia)
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Various initiatives for CDC in VET schools (Portugal)
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The Vocational Education and Training Programme for Employment (IMEP/VET4JOB-II) (Türkiye)
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Development of the course "Democracy: ideas in practice" in VET schools (Ukraine)
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CDC and Initial Teacher Training (United Kingdom)
Leaners’ voice and participation
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Learners’ voice and participation at the Andorran VET School (Andorra)
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Project “Labour rights protection at the first workplace” in VET schools (Armenia)
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Teaching CDC in VET schools and student participation (Armenia)
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“Apprentices’ Parliament” initiative: Parliament simulation for apprentices (Austria)
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Citizenship education activities days (Austria)
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Democracy and Science Week for Polytechnical schools (Austria)
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Action4Rights by NGO KIYO: empowering students to stand up for their rights (Belgium)
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Youth 4 Change (Belgium)
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Council for the learning environment and “Day of Democracy” in VET schools (Denmark)
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Enhancing student citizenship through extracurricular activities (Georgia)
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Measuring democratic competences (Germany)
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Youth and trainee councils to represent the interests of apprentices, trainees and young workers (Germany)
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Engaging VET students in democracy through aesthetic experience (Greece)
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Regulatory measures to promote CDC (Finland)
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Apprenticeships at ESB Networks (Ireland)
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Peer mediation for conflict resolution in VET schools (Montenegro)
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Sociology and History as compulsory subjects and Student parliaments in VET school (Montenegro)
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The activities of the Centre for VET and NGOs for developing democratic competencies of teachers and students (North Macedonia)
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Social and Economic Cohesion through Vocational and Technical Education (SEUP II) (Türkiye)
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Development of the course "Democracy: ideas in practice" in VET schools (Ukraine)
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Department for Education’s 16 to 19 study programmes guidance (United Kingdom)
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Leadership of the apprentice community at IBM (United Kingdom)
Role of social partners
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Council for the learning environment and “Day of Democracy” in VET schools (Denmark)
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Youth and trainee councils to represent the interests of apprentices, trainees and young workers (Germany)
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Call for VET Schools: Funding for Projects to Develop Key Competencies (Georgia)
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CDC in-companies trainings (Switzerland)
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Role of social partners in VET schools (Ukraine)