Civic and Citizenship Education under scrutiny: a comparative analysis of case studies across EU and non-EU countries

Abstract

Citizenship Education has become a cornerstone of contemporary debates on democracy and education, particularly in light of the challenges posed by post-truth politics and the proliferation of mis- and disinformation. While Civic Education traditionally emphasizes knowledge of institutions, legal frameworks, and citizens’ rights and duties, Citizenship Education extends beyond this scope by cultivating values, dispositions, and competences such as empathy, critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and digital literacy. These elements are essential for equipping young generations with the epistemic vigilance and moral responsibility required to sustain democratic life. The integration of institutional knowledge with participatory competences reflects a growing consensus among scholars and international organizations – including the European Union, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe - that effective education must move from the mere transmission of knowledge to the active formation of democratic practices. Against the backdrop of polarization, manipulation of information, and declining trust in democratic institutions, this paper argues that the alignment of Civic and Citizenship Education offers a robust educational response to contemporary threats, fostering both resilience and active participation. The research underlying this article has been conducted with the framework of the Horizon Europe project RECLAIM, which investigates how European education systems can strengthen democratic resilience against mis- and disinformation in the so-called post-truth era.