European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC)

Empowering Democracy through Heritage: Educators Leading Cultural Dialogue

LIONS QUEST UKRAINE
Ukraine
photo_2026-03-13_22-23-12
Culture plays a key role in shaping democratic societies. Empowering Democracy through Heritage invites educators to explore cultural heritage as a space for dialogue on identity, history, and democratic values. Through participatory heritage tours and meetings with historians and cultural experts, teachers develop educational tools that encourage students to reflect critically on history and cultural identity, strengthening democratic awareness and cooperation between cultural institutions, educators, and communities.
Cultural heritage plays an important role in shaping democratic societies by influencing how communities understand identity, history, and civic values. Across Europe, polarization, disinformation, and competing historical narratives challenge democratic dialogue. In Ukraine, the reinterpretation of heritage from democratic perspectives has become especially significant since 2014. The Empowering Democracy through Heritage project supports educators through participatory heritage tours, dialogue with historians, and reflective discussions. By strengthening educators’ knowledge and tools, the project will foster democratic awareness among students and local communities. By empowering educators to facilitate discussions about heritage and democratic values, the project supports democratic culture both locally and within the wider European cultural ecosystem. The project contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including: • ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education • promoting lifelong learning opportunities • encouraging leadership opportunities for women in education • strengthening communities

Vote for this project

Thank you for casting your vote for the Up Grants!