After One Year of the CREATE Project: Teachers Gain New Tools for Teaching European Topics

Škoda Auto University is entering the second year of implementation of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Teacher Training project CREATE (Czech Resilience in Europe through Awareness, Training and Empowerment), which aims to support secondary and vocational school teachers in teaching European topics, active citizenship, critical thinking, and the values of the European Union.

In 2025, Škoda Auto University was awarded its first grant under the prestigious Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Teacher Training initiative. The CREATE project helps teachers develop the knowledge, methodological skills, and practical experience needed to deliver EU-related topics in an engaging, accessible, and meaningful way.

The first year of the project culminated in an expert workshop led by European affairs specialist Lorenzo Costantino, who met with participants at Škoda Auto University to discuss current challenges facing the European Union as well as key themes of the CREATE project. The programme focused on the functioning of EU institutions, EU treaties and their reforms, the process of European integration, European values, and active citizenship.

The workshop received highly positive feedback from participants. Attendees appreciated not only the high professional quality of the sessions but also the interactive format, opportunities for discussion and exchange of experience, and practical examples of how European topics can be incorporated into classroom teaching. The open and friendly atmosphere also encouraged networking and provided inspiration for future educational activities.

“Through the CREATE project, we cooperate with various secondary schools to bring European Union topics closer to the next generation of citizens. Teachers play a key role in this process. They are the agents of change who help young people develop European values and an active approach to citizenship. We aim to equip teachers not only with knowledge about the European Union, but also with the competencies and confidence needed to further develop civic education and inspire their students to become active citizens,” said Lorenzo Costantino.

The project is now entering its next phase, focusing on the practical application of acquired knowledge in schools. The CREATE team is currently finalising the first educational and methodological materials for secondary school teachers, preparing a study visit to Brussels for representatives of partner schools, and launching the implementation of EU-related topics directly into teaching practice.

Through CREATE, we provide both expert content and methodological support, while also offering a unique opportunity to experience Europe first-hand through a study visit to EU institutions in 2027,” said Lenka Stejskalová, Project Coordinator.

The second year of the project will bring further training activities, ongoing methodological support for schools, and intensified cooperation with teachers, who will transfer the knowledge gained through the project into their classrooms and help students better understand European issues and contemporary societal challenges.