In her thoughtful reflection on the EUdemos project, Eirini Saridaki captures one of the core truths behind the programme: European citizenship is not something learned solely from textbooks, but something lived, experienced, and felt through real encounters, dialogue, and shared exploration.
Eirini describes the project as “an experience of revealing a new world of knowledge,” and her words reflect the transformative nature of EUdemos for both students and teachers. What begins as a structured programme on European history, law, economics, and culture quickly becomes much more: an unfolding personal journey that bridges professional growth and self-discovery.
Her first steps into the project through online collaboration highlight an essential dimension of the EUdemos method — the power of digital cooperation in connecting schools long before mobility begins. These early exchanges laid the groundwork for what would later become deep, meaningful interactions during the in-person phases of the programme.
The summer schools, especially the final one in Brussels, emerge in her account as the most impactful experience. Living “in the heart of the European Union,” meeting the institutions, exploring the origins and evolution of the EU, and engaging in simulations of the Council and Parliament allowed participants to experience democracy from the inside. For many, these moments mark the first time abstract concepts such as policy-making, negotiations, or EU values become concrete, relatable and human.
Eirini’s words underline another essential aspect of EUdemos: the project’s social and intercultural dimension. Through daily interaction, students and teachers discovered not only the differences that enrich Europe, but also the deep similarities in aspirations, concerns, and values shared across countries. It is in these exchanges — the conversations, the shared experiences, the emotions — that the true meaning of “union” becomes tangible.
Her reflection reminds us that EUdemos is not simply a learning project; it is a catalyst for friendships, future collaborations, and a stronger sense of belonging to Europe. By giving participants a lived experience of European citizenship, it empowers them to imagine new possibilities for their personal and professional futures.
In Eirini’s own conclusion lies the essence of the programme: EUdemos helps participants understand that the European Union is not an abstract institution but a community of people who learn, work, dream, and grow together.
” My EUdemos experience “
EUdemos project was an opportunity to work on issues involved with European Community that I had never had before. It has been an experience of revealing a new world of knowledge, study and realization as a person but also as a teacher.
My first contact was at the beginning of the program with the collaborations through e-meetings. They involved lot of information such as history, legal issues, economic and cultural topics in EU, firstly through the cooperation with the teachers and the people in charge online and later on in person on the island of Crete.
As far as I am concerned the workshops and especially the summer schools had the greatest impact on us. In summer school in Brussels, in which I have participated, the students and the teachers of the different countries of the EUdemos project lived in the heart of European Union. We met the EU institutes, the history of the idea and then the creation of the union and worked on simulations of how members react in European Council or Parliament. Due to our experiences, the dimension of European citizen was engraved in mind and soul. Additionally, the students saw the opportunities of living and working in a different country in Europe and visualized a possible future there.
The communication with the participants of the other countries resulted in the exchange of information, thoughts, views, feelings and the realization that we have more things common than differences. Friendships and future collaborations were born and the people in the project felt the ‘union’ as the name of EU represents…
Saridaki Eirini
