The European Innovative Teaching Award (EITA) highlights pioneering educational projects that inspire change and improvement in schools across Europe. This year, 117 Erasmus+ projects in more than 30 countries, in the EU and beyond, have won the award.

One of the main priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme is to support active citizenship. It does so by supporting projects that focus on learners’ participation in democratic processes, encourage active engagement in local communities and develop critical thinking and media literacy. Equipping learners of all ages with the skills they need to actively participate in public life and promote EU values such as freedom, inclusion, and solidarity, is crucial for the EU’s future.

To support this goal, the European Commission recently published the Action Plan on Basic Skills, which recognises citizenship as one of the fundamental skills for learners to thrive in today’s world. The action plan highlights how citizenship skills – alongside literacy, mathematics, science and digital skills – are a key pillar of lifelong learning. It calls for educational institutions to prioritise the development of civic competences to prepare young people for fully participating in democratic life and contributing to a resilient, cohesive society. 

This year’s EITA winners demonstrate a variety of innovative approaches applied across different levels of education, from early childhood through primary and secondary to vocational education. They highlight important issues such as European identity and values, democracy and inclusive democratic participation, media literacy and tackling disinformation, active citizenship and EU awareness.

Winning projects can inspire teachers and trainers all over Europe with innovative methodologies they could use in their daily practices. They will be showcased on this platform, as well as on the European Innovative Teaching Award website, the Erasmus+ social channels, and the European Education Area portal .

The awarded teachers, trainers and educators will also be able to share best practice with a wider audience during the “European Innovative Teaching Award event 2025” event, which takes place from 8 to 9 December in Brussels and online.