Empowering future generations in Central Europe through inclusive education
The funding is provided through the Villum Foundation’s Enabling Capable Citizens (ECC) programme, which aims to foster children’s and young people’s motivation for learning and equip them with the skills needed to thrive in a changing world.
“With this programme, we want to support projects that help build the competencies young people need to participate fully in society. This includes collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving – as well as skills related to the green and digital transitions,” says Nicolas Schunck, Grant Area Director at Villum Foundation.
Building green and digital skills
One of the supported initiatives is Citizen Green, led by the Information Society Development Foundation (FRSI) in Poland. The project prepares primary school pupils and youth for active citizenship by strengthening their environmental awareness, information literacy, and teamwork skills. Through partnerships between schools and libraries, 18 community-based learning hubs will be established across Poland. Key outcomes include a competency framework and training for green educators, student-led competitions, and the introduction of a ‘Green Passport’ for environmentally conscious institutions.
“We believe that environmental awareness and information literacy are essential to young generations. With Citizen Green, we’re giving young people the tools to understand their impact on the world and enabling them to contribute actively to society,” explains Magdalena Krasowska-Igras, Project Manager from FRSI.
In Czechia, the educational NGO Junak – Czech Scouting, Scouting Institute has received support to implement a project aligned with the country’s new national curriculum. The initiative focuses on developing key competencies for the green transition, sustainability, and active citizenship in primary schools by 2029. Activities include the creation of educational materials, workshops for teachers and students, a long-term teacher training programme, and a youth conference on green topics.
“The projects we’ve selected are not only impactful at local level – they are exemplary models with the potential to inspire broader change. By demonstrating what works in practice, they can inspire collaboration and influence educational practices and approaches far beyond the individual schools and communities involved,” adds Nicolas Schunck.
Supporting at-risk youth
In addition to its focus on green and digital transitions, the ECC programme places special emphasis on supporting at-risk children and young people facing challenging life circumstances.
“We know that children who grow up in vulnerable situations often face barriers to education and active engagement in their communities. By supporting initiatives targeting at-risk youth, we aim to ensure that all young people – regardless of their background – have the opportunity to develop their potential and contribute to society,” says Nicolas Schunck.
One such initiative is EmpowerED: Enabling Capable Citizens through Education, Digital Literacy, and Social Inclusion, led by Terre des hommes in Hungary. The project focuses particularly on strengthening the social and digital literacy of at-risk children and youth, supporting their educational attainment, and improving their access to the job market.
EmpowerED will strengthen the existing Resilience Innovation Facility, which is a learning space equipped with digital tools and technology designed to provide tailored educational and socio-economic opportunities for children and young people. The project will also establish a new facility to further develop these activities, enhance student-centred pedagogy, and expand access to inclusive learning that empowers more youth to contribute to a more just and sustainable society.
“This support from Villum Foundation allows us to reach young people who are often left behind. By combining education, digital skills, and social inclusion, we’re helping them build a future where they can thrive – not just survive,” says Balázs Lehel, Head of Office at Terre des hommes.
In total, six projects have received support under the ECC programme. The programme is part of the Villum Foundations grant area European Youth and Education and reflects Villum Foundation’s commitment to equipping children and young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to shape a better and more enlightened future.
Read more about the projects:
The project empowers teachers in Slovakia to integrate digital skills across all subjects to help students become capable and responsible digital citizens. Through a comprehensive training programme, educators will gain the tools and confidence to teach digital competencies in ways that are inclusive and engaging. The project also develops and updates a wide range of lesson plans that use gamification, collaboration, and problem-solving. By scaling up an existing initiative into a nationwide solution, the project builds a strong network of educators and decision-makers, ensuring long-term impact on digital education.
Organisation: Informatika 2.0
EUR 1,2 million
The project promotes active citizenship among young people in Poland by building their environmental awareness, media literacy, and collaboration skills. Through partnerships between schools and libraries, educators will guide students in exploring sustainability and civic engagement. The initiative supports youth-led environmental action, such as workshops, campaigns, and creative projects. The aim is to create lasting impact by embedding activities within the everyday practices of schools and libraries across Poland. This long-term integration is supported through collaboration with national partners who contribute with expertise and and strategic alignment.
Organisation: Information Society Development Foundation (FRSI)
This project tackles educational inequality in Eastern Poland by placing highly motivated and skilled teachers in underserved schools. Through the EduLeader Development Programme, participants receive training, mentorship, and leadership development to create inclusive and student-centred learning environments. The initiative supports schools in addressing challenges such as digital exclusion and limited access to new educators, while also focusing on the integration of migrant and refugee children. Teachers and students collaborate on community-based projects, while local partnerships help anchor the programme regionally.
Organisation: Teach for Poland Foundation
The project supports the rollout of the new Czech national curriculum by equipping primary schools with tools to teach sustainability, active citizenship, and green transition topics. The project strengthens teachers’ pedagogical skills, engages students through interactive workshops, and supports student-led environmental projects. Special attention is given to disadvantaged regions facing environmental and social challenges. In partnership with national partners, the project seeks to contribute to the development of open-access educational resources and encourages the continued inclusion of green competencies in everyday teaching practices across Czech schools.
Organisation: Junak – Czech Scouting, Scouting Institute (Junák – český skaut, Skautský institut)
EUR 1,1 million
The project introduces an interdisciplinary educational programme that combines environmental topics with project-based learning in elementary schools across Poland. It aims to build future competencies such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration while promoting sustainability. Teachers and principals receive training to support students in identifying and solving local environmental challenges. Students apply their learning by developing and implementing community-focused environmental projects, fostering responsibility, participation, and green transformation in their schools and towns.
Organisation: Children's University Foundation (CUF)
The project supports at-risk children and youth by strengthening their social and digital literacy, improving their chances of completing education and entering the job market. It focuses on young people from refugee, migrant, Roma, and disadvantaged backgrounds, offering tailored educational and socio-economic opportunities. Through inclusive teaching methods, student-led initiatives, and training for educators, the project promotes active citizenship, digital inclusion, and psychosocial well-being. It aims to foster safer, more just, and sustainable communities through education.
Organisation: Magyarországi Terre des hommes Alapítvány & Lausanne
EUR 1 million
The Villum Foundation’s grant area European Youth and Education is dedicated to empowering young Europeans to meet the challenges of the future. The aim is to support the enhancement of young peoples’ skills for the evolving job market with a focus on the green and digital transitions. Special attention is paid to ensuring that vulnerable youth also receive support to actively participate in society and become self-reliant citizens.
In even years, the foundation supports projects in France and Italy, while in odd years, it funds projects in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary.
