How do you make the European Union relevant to VET students? How do you transform abstract concepts about democracy, citizenship, and European values into meaningful learning experiences?
The EUCLASS Alliance project, a jean Monnet project where ENAC is leader) has been testing innovative approaches across partner VET centers, with pilot activities in Estonia and Spain revealing something important: when students engage authentically with European topics, they don’t just learn facts—they gain confidence.
At Kuressaare Ametikool in Estonia, educators implemented an interactive 60-minute lesson plan during ErasmusDays that combined multiple engagement strategies. Students watched a short Erasmus+ video showcasing mobility opportunities across Europe, participated in a Kahoot quiz testing their knowledge about the EU and European values, and then engaged in what proved to be the most impactful activity: a “moving debate.” Students physically position themselves along an imaginary line representing a spectrum from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree” in response to provocative questions: Do you feel European? Should voting be compulsory? Does Europe need a common army? Do you feel the EU’s impact in your daily life?
Meanwhile, at Centro San Viator in Spain, a different kind of breakthrough occurred. The vet center participated in an online exchange with Luovi Vocational School (VET2sustain partner). Many of the Spanish students had internalized negative narratives about their abilities, particularly regarding English language skills. They had grown up hearing they were “not good at school” and especially that they “don’t know English.” What happened during that online meeting challenged those narratives fundamentally. The students were excited. They spoke in English. They asked questions. They listened with genuine curiosity. For a moment, they stopped seeing themselves as “students who can’t” and started seeing themselves as young people who can communicate, who can connect, who have voices that reach beyond their classroom walls.
These experiences directly support VET2Sustain’s core objectives. By developing students’ soft skills—communication, critical thinking, cultural awareness—and fostering attitudes essential for lifelong learning, such activities make vocational education more attractive and relevant. When students discover they can engage with European democratic processes, communicate across borders, and contribute meaningfully to discussions about citizenship and values, VET becomes more than technical training—it becomes empowerment.
Moreover, these activities strengthen cooperation between VET centers across Europe—another VET2Sustain priority. When Estonian, Spanish, and Finnish students connect through structured educational activities, they’re not just learning about Europe—they’re experiencing what European cooperation means. They’re building intercultural competencies and international networks that will serve them throughout their careers and lives.