FIT 4 DEMOCRACY

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  • Lets Talk! Invitation Danube Zoom Talk – Connect with partners across Europe!

    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!

  • “Fake News in the Political Discourse”

    “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:

    Fit4Democracy_FakeNews_Prof.Dr.RisiusDownload

    Download the Glossary of important words:

    Glossary_FakeNewsTalk_ENDownload
    Glossary_FakeNewsTalk_DEDownload
    Glossary_FakeNewsTalk_BGDownload
    Glossary_FakeNewsTalk_RODownload
    Glossary_FakeNewsTalk_SRDownload
    Glossary_FakeNewsTalk_UKRDownload
  • Online Lecture with Prof. Dr. Brigitte Geißel, “Democracy as Self-Government – Democratic Innovations by and with Citizens”

    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:

    Fit4democracy_Democracyasselfgovernment_Prof.Dr.GeißelDownload
  • Online lecture with Marten Risius: Fake News

    Online lecture with Marten Risius: Fake News

    is Professor for Digital Society and Online Engagement at the University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm, Germany.

    His work focuses on online Trust & Safety issues such as online extremism, disinformation and hate speech. His position receives generous funding support from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts through the Distinguished Professorship Program as part of the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda.

    Photo: LinkedIn

    Program points:

    • Clarification of terms
    • The evolution of fake news (with a look at current developments)
    • Recognizing fake news
    • Special features/difficulties in dealing with fake news

    The lecture will be in English, with translations into Romanian, Bulgarian, and German.

    Access via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88591526817?pwd=USDPgvYSjeeszKYqMCIFf3XoaHU4Zh.1

  • “Digital tools to strengthen communication between citizens from the Danube countries”

    “Digital tools to strengthen communication between citizens from the Danube countries”

    On the third and final day of the workshop, 24 July 2025, the results were presented and the project ended with a closing event. In the morning, all participants visited a class in school. Afterwards everyone met to show their filmed interviews to other students and exchange ideas in discussion rounds. The younger students asked questions about the sustainability goals and to the exchange students, while the teachers referred to their lessons and were interested in the project. After lunch, the last videos were finalized and some shortcomings were revised. In the early evening, the teachers, the ILEU e.V. team and the participants met with their German (host) families at Schubart Gymnasium Ulm. The participating students presented their interviews and shared their cultures with traditional dances and songs. In the end, Carmen Stadelhofer handed out the certificates. Furthermore, thank-you speeches were hold and small tokens of appreciation were exchanged.

  • “Clips become a Story”

    “Clips become a Story”

    On the second day of the workshop, 23 July 2025, the edition of the rough cuts followed. At the beginning, external media expert David Fichtner introduced the apps ‘CapCut’ and ‘HeyGen’. He also explained different interview styles and presented various tools for cutting, editing, adding license-free music and improving sound quality. He also demonstrated the intelligence of AI by creating a realistic-looking avatar based on a real person and showing examples of its use on social networks. He emphasized the importance of always keeping a critical eye and the danger of fake news. While editing their own videos, the participants put theory into practice and got creative. The results are five interviews. Each of them is translated into Bulgarian, Ukrainian and German with matching subtitles. The interviews are three to five minutes long and represents the collaboration of the international interview groups.

    Presentation in English

    Workshop Video Schnitt und KI David Fichtner (Englisch)Download

    Presentation in German

    Workshop Video Schnitt und KI David FichtnerDownload

    Video creation process and Link collection in English

    Training_Workflow_and_Curated_Links_EN.pdfDownload

    Video creation process and Link collection in German

    Ablauf Viedeoerstellung und Link Sammlung (German)Download
  • “Digital tools to strengthen communication between citizens from the Danube countries”

    “Digital tools to strengthen communication between citizens from the Danube countries”

    On the first day of the workshop, 22 July 2025, Sabine Geller introduced the participants to the topic of ‘storytelling techniques’ using the practical example of ‘Danube Confluence’. She explained how important it is to include detailed shots, to have a central theme in the interview as a point of orientation and to loosen up the content, for example with a funny question. The participants worked in five small groups and prepared their own interviews. Each group consisted of three to four people and represented the three nationalities. They researched their interview partners, collected person-specific questions and recorded some practice clips. The interviewees were Martin Ansbacher (Lord Mayor of Ulm), Carmen Stadelhofer (president of ILEU e.V.), Jana Pulli (federal volunteer from the Ulm Family Education Centre), Petra Schmitz (Managing Director of Local Agenda Ulm) and Helena Miller (member of ‘Die Grünen’ and Fridays for future). All of them are professionally or through their commitment connected to one or more SDGs, e.g. ‘4: Quality of education’ or ‘13: Climate action’. In the afternoon, the small groups interviewed their respective partners and shot close-ups of their workplaces. These recordings formed the basis for the next part of the workshop.

    Presentation in English

    Präsentation_Storytelling_1Download

    Presentation in German

    Präsentation_Storytelling_1_deDownload
  • „Digital tools to strengthen communication between citizens from the Danube countries” ViMA danube

    „Digital tools to strengthen communication between citizens from the Danube countries” ViMA danube

    On the day before the workshop, 21 July 2025, Marina Lebherz, a staff member at ILEU e.V., introduced the eighteen participants to the online platform ‘ViMA danube’. While playing a ViMA bingo, the pupils worked interactively with the exchange platform, wrote their own comments and added some input on the Actionbound-entry. This served as preparation for the workshop, a slow thematic introduction, as well as a basis for further promoting a joint dialogue on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Actionbound Preparation Meeting Summary

    Actionbound Preparation Meeting Summary

    Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
    Time: 18:00 – 19:30
    Participants: 21 international and local students, teachers, and project coordinators

    The meeting opened with a round of introductions and confirmation that all students had already connected with their host families and were in contact with their German peers.

    An overview of the upcoming exchange week in Ulm was provided, including planned activities and cultural experiences. Students were introduced to two key themes: storytelling and video creation. A specialist introduced the concept of digital storytelling, highlighting its importance in creating engaging and informative content through visual and narrative techniques. Practical advice was given on structuring interviews, gathering footage, and using editing tools.

    Another session focused on video production, with emphasis on planning, collecting sufficient material, and crafting a message. Students were encouraged to explore tools like Canva and CapCut and were provided with example links and tutorials.

    Logistical points were discussed:

    • Students will receive public transport passes.
    • Alcohol is prohibited, and curfew guidelines were communicated.
    • Students should prepare to teach at least two traditional dances from their home countries.
    • An excursion is planned for Friday, and a farewell gathering will be held Thursday evening.

    Suggestions for activities during Ulm’s Schwörwoche, including sports and festivals, were welcomed. Group organization and a shared online group for communication will follow soon.

    The session concluded with open questions, a final reminder to submit Germany ticket bookings, and confirmation that address information will be provided in Latin script.

  • Successful Kick-Off for ELEVATE Project in Sevnica, Slovenia

    Successful Kick-Off for ELEVATE Project in Sevnica, Slovenia

    On May 6–7, 2025, the new EU-funded ELEVATE project officially launched with a two-day kick-off meeting in Sevnica, Slovenia. Supported by the Interreg Danube Programme, the three-year project brings together 17 project partners and 13 strategic associated partners from across the Danube Region — including ILEU e.V. from Ulm, Germany.

    ELEVATE aims to strengthen collaboration among public, civil, and private sectors to develop inclusive governance models. A key focus is on engaging older people and persons with disabilities in shaping resilient and inclusive local communities. Through a co-design process, pilot regions will test new approaches to improve access to services and foster social cohesion.

    The meeting included partner presentations, planning workshops, and a study visit to local best-practice initiatives, such as the intergenerational center Posavje+ and the “Sopotniki” transportation program for elderly citizens. These inspiring examples set the tone for collaboration and learning throughout the project’s duration.

    Press release english

    Pressemitteilung deutsch

    More information about the project: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/elevate