MOOC Launch: Youth, Democracy & Technology 

We’re launching a new online course:
Youth, Democracy & Technology: Participatory Approaches for Critical Consciousness. 

The Critical Change Labs (CCLabs) project announces the launch of a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Youth, Democracy and Technology: Participatory Approaches for Critical Consciousness, available on DigiCampus from 3 September 2025. 

At a time when only 38% of young Europeans believe voting is the most effective way to have their voice heard¹, and nearly half report engaging in petitions or social movements, the new MOOC provides participants tools to strengthen youth participation and reimagine democracy in the digital age. 

The course explores how young people can actively shape democracy in their everyday lives, both online and offline, and provides educators, youth workers, activists, and students with practical methods to nurture critical literacy and critical consciousness. Drawing on the educational philosophies of Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and Henry Giroux, the MOOC highlights participatory approaches that empower youth to creatively address democratic challenges. 

Through 7 modules, the MOOC provides critical tools for educators, activists, and young people to: 

• Understand youth participation in democracy (formal, informal, and transnational) 

• Reflect on digital technology’s impact on rights like privacy, expression, and access to information 

• Explore eco-social justice and participatory approaches to reclaim civic power 

• Harness the arts as catalysts for social change 

• Learn from Critical ChangeLabs as case examples of youth empowerment 

Register here

🔗 https://digicampus.fi/course/view.php?id=5919 

Contacts

Segolene Pruvot: s.pruvot@euroalter.com  
Billie Dibb: b.dibb@euroalter.com  

About Critical Change Labs (CCLabs) 

CCLabs is a European initiative co-funded by the Horizon Europe programme, by University of Oulu (Coordinator) – Finland, Trinity College Dublin – Ireland, University of Barcelona – Spain, stichting Waag Society WAAG – Netherlands, Ars Electronica Linz GmbH & Co – Austria, Kersnikova Institute – Slovenia, LATRA Innovation Lab – Greece, Tactical Tech – Germany, Alternatives Européennes – France, and Institute of Social Research in Zagreb – Croatia. The project brings together universities, civil society organisations, and cultural actors across Europe to design inclusive spaces where young people can develop critical literacy, experiment with democratic participation, and co-create more just futures.  

1. 2024 Eurobarometer survey on Youth and Democracy ↩︎