Abstract:

The Citizens Xelerator for Democratic and Civic Participation is a project that aims to foster democratic and civic literacy and enhance social empathy among adult learners. It seeks to drive systemic changes in regional, national, and European policies and strategies that promote adult participation in democratic processes, underpinned by shared values and civic engagement. It targets a multifaceted impact on adult education professionals, learners, and civil society organizations through the development and implementation of innovative resources and frameworks.

Lifelong learning is recognized as a fundamental element in ensuring that adults remain adaptable and engaged citizens, capable of contributing to societal advancement and addressing emerging challenges, therefore one of the main results of this project is the LifeComp cards collection, a comprehensive set of 12 cards, each incorporating up to 16 activities that support the assessment, development, and consolidation of life competences as outlined in the European LifeComp framework. This tool was designed to support organizations and professionals working with adult learners, the main aim of identify personal, social, and learning competences, and develop activities that foster the validation and recognition of these competences, whether acquired in formal, informal, or non-formal settings. The collection comprises 12 cards organized into three main areas: personal, social, and learning. Moreover, this collection is crucial for the recognition and validation of competences acquired through diverse learning experiences, therefore supporting adult learners in various contexts.

This result is a crucial component promoting adults' lifelong learning by providing continuous education opportunities, fostering the development of essential life competences, and emphasizing the importance of empowering adults to actively participate in democratic and civic life.

The Citizens Xelerator project is aligned with the objectives of the European Union and the adult education sector by strengthening the competences and mindsets of adult learners, empowering them for democratic and civic engagement, and enhancing their social and professional inclusion. It also involves adult learners in community activities as a strategy to address and overcome societal challenges, while strengthening networks of cooperation that provide mutually beneficial approaches to community empowerment.

Keywords:

European Frameworks, democratic literacy, civic engagement, European common values.