Towards transformative learning

Europe's leading voices in civic education met in Lisbon from March 9-11 to participate in The NECE Lab: Transformative Experience in Civic Education.  Educators, researches and practinioners committed to rethinking how civic learning can respond to democratic challenges today. Over three days, the event facilitated the exchange of ideas, research and lived ecperiences to explore a central question: what makes civic education truly transformative?

Organized by EFSE Foundation, which leads the ECEC Network, THE CIVICS Innovation Hub, Znanje na djelu and the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. The Lab builds on ongoing research into “transformative experiences” in civic education—examining what defines them, what conditions enable them, and how they can be recognized and strengthened across different contexts. The event was held in close collaboration with THE CIVICS Innovation Hub and Znanje na djelu.

The opening session set the tone for the days ahead, with contributions from Caroline Horstein Tomić (THE CIVICS Innovation Hub), Livia de Cendra (ECEC Network), and Patricia Dias (Portuguese Catholic University). Their presentations highlighted the urgency of fostering more meaningful, participatory civic learning in contemporary democracies in an increasingly polarized world.

Towards transformative learning

Throughout the programme, speakers challenged traditional approaches to education. Experts such as Nuno Archer, Fernande Raine, and Steven Stegner emphasized the need to focus on advocating for learning experiences that actively engage individuals and encourage civic participation.

On the second day, Andrew Peterson invited participants to reflect on the deeper purpose of civic education, pointing to its power to reshape how people see themselves, others, and their role in society. Juan Luis Fuentes addressed one of the field’s key challenges: how to identify and measure transformative experiences, stressing the importance of shifts in attitudes, perspectives, and civic engagement.

The final day, opened by Douglas Yacek, explored both the possibilities and the limits of transformation in education. The closing panel brought  together voices from civil society, educational initiatives, and European institutions—including Daria Arlavi, Catarina Sanahuja, Inés Coelho, Jana Feherpataky-Kuzmová, and Elsa Arnáiz—and offered valuable insights into the role of civic education in shaping public policy and strengthening democratic participation.

What truly set the NECE Lab apart was its collabroative spirit. The event established new partnerships, synergies and a shared ambition to continue working together in advancing civic education across Europe.