TUS gathered an intergenerational group of participants to discuss drivers and barriers to citizen participation

On 13 June 2026 in Bajina Bašta the Teacher’s Union of Serbia (TUS) held the first citizen participation lab from the CIVICAct project entitled “Social Dialogue in Education and Strengthening Democracy.”

The event gathered nearly 40 participants, including teachers, school principals, representatives of local authorities, and NGO representatives from Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The lab focused on the results of the online CIVICAct survey about the history and present of civic activism in Belgrade. Participants, divided in groups, debated the differences and similarities in civic activism prior to the 1990s and today, the role of education in a broader societal context, and the importance of civil society organizations for the development of social dialogue, community engagement, and intergenerational cooperation. The first lab set the stage for reflection and analysis, thus building the basis for the second lab which will be held in September. During the second event, participants will delve into co-creation and developing a forward-looking agenda for citizen participation in Belgrade.

The lab encouraged participants to reflect on democratic values and promoting active participation within local communities.

The project is funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), CERV Programme.