What is the Critical ChangeLab?
Critical ChangeLab (CCL) is a research project led by 10 organizations across Europe. It consists of participatory action workshops and democratic education sessions centered on young people and focused on transformative change. During these sessions, young participants identify, question, and examine issues causing tensions in their daily lives, working together to imagine alternatives for a sustainable future.
What is its purpose?
Reimagining the everyday experience of democracy is at the heart of the Critical ChangeLab. Young participants engage in democratic explorations in collaboration with various actors from the education and civil society sectors (both formal and informal), fostering cooperation and critical thinking. Participants can also join a mentorship program, which brings together young people from across Europe to co-create a network of exchange and shared experiences between mentors and mentees. This program covers a range of topics, including planning for their future interests and activist careers, and exploring how the project’s outcomes can be beneficial to them, their peers, and their communities.
How does it work?
Over three sessions lasting between 60 and 90 minutes, young participants discuss, identify, and analyze issues affecting their communities, propose alternatives to the current situation, and work together to implement these ideas for a sustainable, participatory, and inclusive future. This process can take various forms, including creating posters, zines, videos, and debates—blending arts and politics. The format is flexible and can be adapted by participants based on their needs and experiences.
The labs are open to all young people aged 11 to 18.
For more information and resources, visit our website at criticalchangelab.eu or contact info@euroalter.com.
Partners include 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.
