A European recognition for adult education that celebrates innovation, active citizenship, and social inclusion.
An important milestone for the Citizens Xelerator project, winner of the 2025 Grundtvig Award in the category of transnational projects, granted annually by the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA).
Launched in 2003, the Grundtvig Award recognises excellence in adult education projects across Europe. The 2025 edition focused on “Flexible Learning Pathways”, highlighting initiatives capable of adapting to contemporary challenges such as digitalisation, climate change, and threats to democracy.
CESIE ETS, proud partner of the project, celebrates this achievement together with the entire consortium, an award that honours the collective effort in promoting democratic citizenship, social empathy, and active participation in public life.
The Citizens Xelerator project was created with the aim of strengthening civic and democratic literacy among adults, particularly those with fewer opportunities, through flexible and inclusive learning pathways. Coordinated by Mentortec and developed with partners from eight European countries, CESIE contributed to the design and implementation of educational activities, promoting participatory training paths tailored to local community needs, placing education at the heart of social transformation.
This victory also recognises the work carried out both locally and transnationally to make education more accessible, flexible, and transformative. Thanks to innovative tools such as the LifeComp cards and the Citizens Xelerator Action Labs, participants explored local challenges, developed personal, digital, financial, and environmental competences, and launched real civic initiatives. Among these, worth mentioning initiatives were developed in Ciminna, a small town in Sicily’s hinterland, thanks to the Auser Ciminna association, and at the Euromadonie Institute in Palermo.
The award was officially presented on 3 June 2025 at the historic Alte Börse in Leipzig, Germany, as part of the EAEA General Assembly and Annual Conference.
Quoting the coordinators from Mentortec:
“This journey began three years ago, with nine partners from eight countries, who faced every kind of challenge with passion and strength, ultimately making a difference for around 1,900 learners through learning sessions, local actions, community events, and adult skills development. Citizens Xelerator proves that combining creativity with practicality is a powerful lever to promote inclusion and democratic participation.”
And CESIE is proud to have contributed to this major achievement.Want to know more about the project? Have a look at the video on Youtube.
About Citizens Xelerator
Citizens Xelerator – For democratic and civic participation is a project funded by EACEA – ERASMUS-EDU-2022-PI-FORWARD.
Partners
- MENTORTEC (Portugal, Coordinator)
- DANTE (Croatia)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- VHS CHAM (Germany)
- ACEFIR ASSOCIACIÓ CATALANA PER L’EDUCACIÓ, LA FORMACIÓ I LA RECERCA (Spain)
- ACTIONAID HELLAS (Greece)
- APCEP Associação Portuguesa para a Cultura e Educação Permanente (Portugal)
- ASOCIATIA EURO ADULT EDUCATION (Romania)
- AONTAS (Ireland)
For further information
Read the project sheet, visit the website Citizens Xelerator and follow us on Facebook.
Contact Cinzia Broccolo: cinzia.broccolo@cesie.org.
