SAP Overview

In times of social, political and cultural uncertainty, democratic systems face increasing pressure, revealing structural vulnerabilities, widening inequalities and growing challenges to social cohesion. Such periods of crisis highlight the urgent need to strengthen an active, critical, informed and participatory citizenship.

In this context, education assumes a foundational role, as schools and teachers are uniquely positioned to support individuals in understanding societal challenges and participating meaningfully in democratic and social life.

Rooted in the core European values of freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, this SAP invites participants to explore how education can respond to these challenges by fostering democratic engagement, critical thinking and social responsibility.

Through interactive and participatory methods, hands-on workshops and collaborative learning, participants will develop key social and democratic competences, engage in intercultural dialogue and critically reflect on democratic citizenship.

More than teaching about values, this SAP educates for social justice and democratic participation, supporting the transformation of principles into practice, ideas into initiatives and knowledge into active citizenship.

By the end of the three-day training, participants will leave not only with new insights and renewed professional motivation, but also with a ready-to-use project plan designed to foster democratic participation and social innovation within their educational contexts.

DURATION	3 days face-to-face
DATE	3 – 4 – 5 February 2026
LOCAL	IPLeiria, Leiria, Portugal
LANGUAGE	English
ACADEMIC RECOGNITION	1 ECTS

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and critically reflect on core democratic values.

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of social competencies in educational contexts.

• Apply participatory, dialogue-based and collaborative methodologies .

• Promote democratic citizenship and social justice through professional practice .

• Co-design and implement an educational intervention or project plan .

• Evaluate the impact of democratic and social innovation practices .

• Integrate social innovation and democratic competencies into ongoing professional development

• Foster networks and collaborative partnerships

Structure

PART 1 – ONLINE – 28 January (17h30 PT – 18h30 ES)

Engage & Connect: Understanding Values, Competences and the Challenge Ahead

Objectives

• Introduce the EU-SIDE Project and its vision for democratic and socially innovative education.

• Present the SAP Programme: goals, structure and activities.

• Introduce the Social Innovation Competence Framework (key competences and indicators).

FACE-TO-FACE WEEK

DAY 1 — Foundations: Democratic Values, Human Dignity & Inclusive Schools

Morning — Competence Activation & Democratic Awareness

Afternoon — Project Definition & Initial Design Thinking Work

DAY 2 — From Values to Practice: dialogue, inclusion and co-creation

Morning — Advancing the Project Through Inclusive Reflection

Afternoon — Field Trip

DAY 3 — Designing for Impact: Prototyping, Testing & Communicating Change

Morning — Activation, Prototyping and Test Planning

Afternoon:  Final Presentations and Closing the Curtain

PART 3 – ONLINE WRAP-UP SESSION

(Asynchronous Format)

Reflect, Consolidate & Sustain Democratic Action Goal