ACT NOW – Activating Civic Participation through Legal Green Action in Vocational Education

ACT NOW strengthens vocational students’ ability to participate in democratic decision-making and influence environmental issues through constructive, lawful action. The project makes civic participation part of practical learning, with particular attention to students with fewer opportunities.

Project time

1 September 2026–30 April 2028

Goals and activities

The project aims to:

• strengthen students’ civic participation skills, media literacy and confidence in their ability to influence decisions
• support teachers in integrating civic participation and environmental responsibility into vocational teaching
• establish lasting, student-led practices that contribute to a sustainable future.

Project activities

• Organise international teacher training and jointly develop teaching materials.
• Deliver a student course exploring participation channels at local, national and EU levels.
• Pilot student-led environmental initiatives, such as awareness campaigns and proposals to improve sustainability at school.
• Organise an international student learning activity to exchange experiences and further develop the materials.
• Create a practical Toolkit that other vocational institutions can also use.

Expected outcomes

The project will strengthen students’ ability to participate and influence decisions, while improving teachers’ skills in facilitating practical civic action. It will produce tested teaching materials, a Toolkit and practical approaches that can remain in use after the project ends. 

ACT NOW supports Samiedu’s values of being responsible and learning-oriented by integrating sustainability, active citizenship and student-led development into vocational education. The project further supports Samiedu’s strategic objectives by strengthening students’ active role in society, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and creating innovative approaches to sustainable vocational learning.

Partners

Lead Partner:  Samiedu Municipal Education and Training Consortium (FI)

Project Partners:

City of Vantaa / Vantaa Vocational College Varia, Finland
HLW Schrödingerstraße, Austria
Fundacja dla Migrantow Dobry Start im. A. G. Farah, Poland 

Budget

Total project budget: €60,000, of which EU funding for 80%, self funding for 20%