Online Lecture with Dr. Mirona Stanescu “Theaterpädagogik als Medium der Global Citizenship Education – Weltverantwortung auf der Bühne erproben“
Theatre pedagogy provides a unique space where global issues are not only discussed intellectually but also experienced and negotiated collectively. Within the framework of Global Citizenship Education (GCE), the aim is to empower individuals to see themselves as part of a global community, to take responsibility, and to act towards a fairer and more sustainable world. Theatre – as an art form grounded in empathy, collaboration, and imagination – offers powerful ways to explore these goals. In her lecture Dr- Stanescu examines how methods can make complex global realities tangible and relatable. Through practical examples, she illustrates how theatre-based learning engages mind, body, and emotions, encouraging participants to reflect critically while developing compassion and agency. The lecture was hold in German with translation. Materials and Recording will be uploaded here soon.
Video Creation Workshop: Storytelling, Editing & AI Tools with David Fichtner
In this two-part online workshop, filmmaker and media trainer David Fichtner introduced participants from across the Danube region and Europe to the essentials of creating impactful short videos — even with simple tools like a smartphone. In the sessions, David demonstrated: Participants not only received technical guidance, but also learned what truly matters in video creation: clarity, intention, and the ability to communicate meaning through images. If you want to learn how to turn your ideas into short, powerful videos, the workshop recording offers valuable insights and practical steps. Watch the workshop recording here: Download the presentation slides in all languages:
Online Workshop: “Training on Video Creation” with David Fichtner, Thursday, 20.11.25 and Tuesday, 25.11.25, 6 pm (CET)
We are happy to invite you to our online qualification workshop “Training on Video Creation” with David Fichtner over Zoom. This two-part training is for everyone interested in video editing, storytelling, and exploring how AI can support the creative process. The first online workshop will be on Thursday, 20 Nov. 25 at 6 pm (CET) and focuses on basic knowledge and storytelling. The second online workshop will be on Tuesday, 25 Nov. 25 at 6 pm (CET) and builds upon the first workshop. It will address questions that may arise after the first workshop and introduce advanced techniques as well as the use of AI tools to enhance and simplify video creation. The qualification workshop will be held in English, with possible translation into German, Bulgarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, and Serbian. You can register for the qualification workshop until 19 November 2025 through our contact form: https://forms.gle/Y3jVo6PTVfHvETmf6 You will get the Zoomlink to the online workshop after your registration.
Online Lecture with Dr. Karen Glinert Carlson, “What has family story to do with civil engagement, democracy, and antiracism”
In her moving lecture, Dr. Karen Glinert Carlson uses her own family’s story to illustrate: If you want to learn what family story has to do with civil engagement, democracy, and antiracism, this lecture offers deep insights. Download the PowerPoint Presentation here:
DEMOCRACY2GO: Fit4Democracy Video Competition
How to live democracy and win prizes?!We’re looking for creative short videos (max. 3 minutes) that show how people put democratic values into practice, in schools, communities, workplaces, or everyday life. It can be your own story or a story that inspired you. The best videos will be rewarded with prizes worth 200€, 150€ and 100€ and will be presented at the websites of ILEU e.V. and at the Danube festival in July 2026. Who can join?Interested individuals of all ages from the Danube region and other European cities who want to get involved in an international level. School classes, youth groups, senior initiatives, mixed groups young and old, and all who are engaged in democratic action are welcome to participate as well. Groups: For initiatives or collectives (e.g., school classes, youth groups, friend groups) that demonstrate strongteamwork and community impact.Individuals: For personal contributions that show originality, motivation, and commitment to democratic values.Special “Young & Old”: For intergenerational projects that, connect different age groups in democratic action. Final Submission: Deadline for video submission December 18, 2025 How to participate: – Presentation of experiences and impact of yourself or your group in promoting democratic values.– Presentation of the activities of an existing group that is engaged with democracy-related topics.– Design, implementation, and presentation of a concrete action that demonstrates democratic participation inpractice.– Interviews with people who are active in the field of democracy, sharing their ideas and perspectives. As inspiration, you can use the methods and examples from our Fit4Democracy Toolbox, which you can find here:https://toolbox.fit4democracy.eu/method/ You can use your native language in the video, but please add English subtitles. Evaluation & PrizesA jury will review all submissions and select the best videos. The winner will be announced on January 15. 2026. The prizes will be worth 200, 150 and 100 euros.
ELEVATE project holds 2nd partner meeting and study visit in Banská Bystrica, 21.–22. October 2025, Slovakia
Strengthening Cooperation and Inclusive Territorial Development Across the Danube Region Project partners of the ELEVATE project gathered on 21–22 October 2025 in Banská Bystrica – Slovakia, for the 2nd partners’ meeting, hosted by the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region (BBSK). The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration, share good practices among project partners and advance the development of inclusive territorial governance models across the Danube Region. Mr. Ján Michalský from the Department of Social Affairs and Social Policies of BBSK warmly welcomed all participants. Ms. Anita Molka, representing the Lead Partner, Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia (DCHS), provided an overview of the two-day programme and highlighted its objectives. The meeting opened with a lecture by Ms. Carmen Stadelhofer from ILEU, on “Aging Has Many Faces.” She discussed the diversity of aging processes, life situations and social contexts, emphasizing the role of education, new media, volunteering and networking structures in promoting active aging. She also highlighted how community cooperation between civil society, private sector and individuals can create age-friendly environments that foster social participation. In the morning session, horizontal partners Urbasofia, ISG Amabilis, and ZICER shared examples to enhance partners’ knowledge and cooperation for inclusive territorial development. Ms. Irina Panait underlined the importance of strong financial management. Ms. Damjana Pangerčič presented Kind Life from Slovenia, which supports mental health and social inclusion of older adults and people with dementia through education, intergenerational activities, and digital campaigns, funded by sponsorships and donations. Ms. Nora Krstić introduced Accessible Zagreb, a digital platform improving urban accessibility and planning through co-creation and cross-sector collaboration, serving as a model for other cities. Later in the morning, all 12 pilot partners showcased how good practices from other project partners inspired their pilot idea. This session, moderated by Mr. Milan Zbořil, focused on regional and local needs, mutual learning and strengthening institutional cooperation. Ms. Anamarija Fortuna from DCHS led a brainstorming session to set goals for 2026–2028 mainstreaming activities. Partners will promote the ELEVATE model through various events and two International Forums, fostering inclusive co-creation under the motto “Nothing about us without us.” The afternoon sessions included a training and capacity-building workshop on inclusive territorial development, moderated by Ms. Irina Panait from Urbasofia. Mr. Milan Zbořil presented the good practice of participatory planning of social services at the micro-regional level. Following partners activity in a workshop on financial model development, focusing on stakeholder mapping and designing robust financial mechanisms for sustainable initiatives. The meeting concluded with a Steering Committee. The second day was dedicated to study visit. We visited the city of Kremnica, which offered valuable insights into how local communities in Banska Bystrica Region address demographic challenges and improve the quality of life for their residents. The visit began at the Kremnica Municipal Office, where partners were welcomed by Mr. Pavel Kravec, Mayor of Trnava Hora. He presented the Kremnica Microregion (around 10,000 residents) and its main challenges—ageing population, youth migration, and support for vulnerable groups. He noted that Kremnica is among the first in the region to address these issues innovatively. A key part of the visit was the Centre of Integrated Social and Health Care (CISZS), launched in April 2024 to improve long-term care for older adults in the Banská Bystrica Region. As a pilot model, it integrates social and health services under one structure to ensure accessible, high-quality care that helps seniors and vulnerable groups stay independent. The CISZS team provides health monitoring, medication management, social support, and transport assistance. Currently active in the region, the model is being promoted for national rollout. Partners were also welcomed by Mr. Martin Novodomec, Mayor of Kremnica, who presented the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage. After the presentations, we visited the Radmera Centre, where staff guided us through its four facilities and shared their progress despite early funding challenges. Founded in 2018 with the purchase of a family home, the centre grew through successive funding, including a €3 million grant in 2021, enabling reconstruction and expansion. It now offers daily activities for older adults and people with disabilities and accommodation for 123 clients. The CISZS initiative operates on strong values of human rights, dignity, and personal development. It empowers clients to build confidence, explore talents, and foster social inclusion, showing how integrated care can transform communities and support ageing and vulnerable groups. The ELEVATE project promotes collaboration across public, civil, and private sectors to build inclusive governance in the Danube Region, engaging older adults and people with disabilities. The two-day meeting reinforced goals of inclusive territorial development, mutual learning, and strengthening cooperation to improve pilot ideas and create a scalable ELEVATE model. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELEVATE PROJECT: Anita Molka, Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia, Slovenia Lead Partner Kidričeva cesta 1, Litija 1270, Slovenia e-mail: anita.molka@razvoj.si, telephone: +386 1 8962 710 Jasna Presečki, Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia, Slovenia Coordinator of Communication Activities Kidričeva 1, 1270 Litija, Slovenia e-mail: jasna.presecki@razvoj.si, telephone: +386 1 8962 713 List of partners in ELEVATE project: More information about the ELEVATE project: More information about the Interreg Interreg Danube Region:
Postcard Action on Democracy Day – Stand up for Europe and Democracy
A Call for Participation from the Fit 4 Democracy Project We from ILEU e.V. want to raise awareness of our “Stand up for Europe and Democracy” campaign. As part of this campaign, people take a photo of themselves holding our “Stand up for Europe and Democracy” flyer. We hope this campaign will be as successful as our “Give a sign of friendship” campaign from the Bread Connects project, for which we collected over 3,000 contributions. Some of you may remember it. If you haven’t sent us a photo of yourself holding the flyer yet, we would be very grateful if you could do so. You can find the flyer and more information here: https://fit4democracy.eu/news/i-stand-for-europe-a-sign-of-unity/ Regarding this campaign we have prepared a postcard action for this year’s Democracy Day on September 15th. The Democracy Day is an international occasion to celebrate democratic values and raise awareness about their importance. That is why we invite you to join us in making democracy visible across borders. We would be very happy, if you could support us by printing out our postcard and sending it for the day of democracy to your friends, or sharing it with people from other countries. Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦 Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Austria 🇦🇹 A5 A4 A5 A4 A5 A4 Croatia 🇭🇷 Czechia 🇨🇿 France 🇫🇷 A5 A4 A5 A4 A5 A4 Germany 🇩🇪 Hungary 🇭🇺 Italy 🇮🇹 A5 A4 A5 A4 A5 A4 Poland 🇵🇱 Romania 🇷🇴 Serbia 🇷🇸 A5 A4 A5 A4 A5 A4 Slovakia 🇸🇰 Spain 🇪🇸 Sweden 🇸🇪 A5 A4 A5 A4 A5 A4 Ukraine 🇺🇦 United Kingdom 🇬🇧 – A5 A4 A5 A4 Dont forget to check out our Photocampaign
Online Lecture with Prof. Dr. Marten Risius, “Fake News in the Political Discourse”
How can You distinguish Fake News from Facts? In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Marten Risius explains the different types of fake news and how we can distinguish facts from misinformation. He begins by clarifying key terms, then outlines the evolution of fake news with a focus on recent developments. The talk also addresses how fake news can be identified and highlights the particular challenges of dealing with it. The lecture concludes with a discussion session. If you want to gain a better understanding of how fake news arises, spreads and can be detected, this lecture offers valuable insights. Watch the lecture to learn how to deal with these challenges and identify fake news. Download the PowerPoint Presentation here: Download the Glossary of important words:
Lets Talk! Invitation Danube Zoom Talk – Connect with partners across Europe!
Dear collegues and friends from the Danube Region and other European countries We got several feedbacks expressing that many of you would like to have more contacts with partners involved in our activities, the possibility to connect and chat with others easily and to find out more in common. That’s why we created the online Danube Talk on ViMA Danube by Zoom! Within you can meet and exchange ideas with others coming in, or you make an appointment with someone you like to speak. Right now, we have two time slots available: At lunchtime Wednesday, 12.00 to 2.00 pm (CET) (in some countries 1.00 to 3.00 pm) and Friday an after work meeting, 5.00 to 6.00 pm (CET) (in some countries 6:00 to 7:00 pm). If you are interested to participate in this Open Talk, Join In! If the interest is high, we will be happy to add even more time slots. On the homepage of ViMA danube (vima-danube.eu) you can find the Button “danube talk”, clicking on it, it will lead you to the Zoom channel. We will start next Wednesday at 12pm (CET). We hope to see you there and can’t wait for some great conversations!
Online Lecture with Prof. Dr. Brigitte Geißel, “Democracy as Self-Government – Democratic Innovations by and with Citizens”
What does democracy look like between elections? In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Brigitte Geißel examines how well-designed citizen participation can make public decisions fairer, more informed, and more widely trusted. Drawing on research and real cases, the talk reviews practical formats such as citizens’ assemblies (by lot), participatory budgeting, future workshops, and digital platforms. It sets out what makes these processes effective: inclusive recruitment, clear and balanced background information, independent facilitation, sufficient time for deliberation, and—crucially—a binding connection to councils and administrations so results do not remain unimplemented. The lecture also addresses typical pitfalls: barriers to access, misinformation and polarization, participation fatigue, and symbolic processes without impact. It outlines straightforward remedies—targeted outreach and accessibility measures, fact-checking routines, transparent follow-up, and formal anchoring within existing institutions. If you want a clear, evidence-based overview of how communities can turn participation into implementable decisions, this talk provides a solid orientation and practical starting points.Watch the lecture to see where to begin, what to avoid, and how democratic innovation can complement representative politics in a serious and workable way. Download the PowerPoint Presentation here: