Key Themes

Value-Based Education

At the heart of ValuED lies the belief that quality education extends beyond academic achievement — it shapes the moral, social, and civic fabric of learners. The project promotes values such as respect, empathy, responsibility, fairness, and integrity, integrating them into curricula, teaching practices, and school culture. Teachers are equipped to model and transmit these values through daily interactions and participatory learning environments.

Inclusive Education

ValuED positions inclusion as a rights-based and value-driven approach rather than a remedial or humanitarian act. It addresses diversity in all its forms — including ethnicity, language, ability, gender, and socioeconomic background — and promotes equal opportunities for all learners. The project strengthens teacher competences to adapt instruction, foster belonging, and create classrooms where every child is valued and supported.

Education for Democratic Citizenship

The project emphasizes the development of responsible, active, and critically minded citizens. Through school-based initiatives and teacher education reforms, ValuED encourages participatory decision-making, dialogue, and civic engagement. It aligns with European priorities for democratic culture, human rights, and social justice, helping schools become spaces where democracy is lived, not merely taught

Teacher Competence Development

Recognizing teachers as central agents of change, ValuED builds comprehensive systems for both pre-service and in-service professional development. The project reforms university curricula, strengthens teacher educator capacities, and introduces structured national training programs that connect educational theory with classroom realities. These initiatives ensure that teachers possess not only the knowledge but also the attitudes and reflective skills to guide inclusive and democratic classrooms.

Policy Reform and Systemic Change

ValuED operates at both the policy and practice levels, bridging gaps between ministries, universities, and schools. It develops national policy frameworks, accreditation standards, and competence models that institutionalize values-based and inclusive education. This structural dimension ensures long-term sustainability and alignment with European educational standards and frameworks.

Democratic School Culture and Climate

At school level, ValuED fosters the creation of democratic, safe, and inclusive school environments. Through participatory school development planning, student-led mini-projects, and collaboration between staff, students, and communities, schools become microcosms of democratic practice and mutual respect. The project encourages a shift from compliance-based management to participatory leadership and shared responsibility.

Evidence-Based and Collaborative Approach

The project’s design is grounded in research, consultation, and continuous evaluation. It employs both top-down (policy) and bottom-up (school and teacher) strategies, ensuring that reforms are informed by evidence and owned by stakeholders. Collaboration among national and European partners — including universities in Graz and Munich — reinforces the scientific and pedagogical foundations of the project.