How can young people reimagine democracy in the digital age? That’s the question at the heart of a new free online course, Youth, Democracy and Technology: Participatory Approaches for Critical Consciousness, launched today by the Critical ChangeLab project. The course is hosted on DigiCampus and is open to everyone, everywhere.
At a moment when research shows that only 38% of young Europeans see voting as the most effective way to be heard, while nearly half are turning to petitions and social movements, this course arrives with timely urgency. It invites participants to explore how youth are already reshaping democratic participation—and how educators, youth workers, and activists can support them in doing so.
What the course offers
The MOOC is designed as a practical and inspiring journey, drawing on the educational philosophies of Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and Henry Giroux. Across seven interactive modules, learners will dive into themes such as:
- Youth engagement and democratic participation
- Digital rights and responsibilities
- Eco-social justice and climate activism
- Technology as a tool for participation
- Art as a catalyst for democratic change
The course combines theory with practice, offering case studies from Critical Change Labs—participatory spaces where young people experiment with democracy in action—as well as hands-on activities and resources for educators, students, and activists.
Participation is completely free, with the option for university students to gain 2 ECTS credits if they register formally. The course is flexible, self-paced, and available fully online in English.
Why it matters
“Young people across Europe are already rethinking democracy through their activism, art, and digital engagement,” says Ségolène Pruvot, Director of European Alternatives and coordinator of the MOOC. “This course is designed to recognise that creativity and give educators and youth workers the tools to understand and support it. At a time when democratic participation cannot be taken for granted, it is crucial to provide accessible resources that help younger generations imagine and co-create more just futures.”
About Critical ChangeLab
The Critical ChangeLab project is a European initiative co-funded by the Horizon Europe programme. It brings together universities, cultural organisations, and civil society actors from across the continent—including partners in Finland, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovenia, Greece, Germany, France, and Croatia. Together, they are designing inclusive spaces where young people can develop critical literacy, experiment with democratic participation, and co-create more just futures.
Get started
The MOOC is available now on DigiCampus. Whether you are an educator, youth worker, activist, student, or simply curious about how democracy is evolving, you can join the course today:
Press Contact
Marta Cillero Manzano, m.cillero@euroalter.com +39 328 329 2175