The Speak&Act project aimed to empower students by developing their personal, social and citizenship competences, fostering active participation in democratic life and encouraging engagement at local and European levels. One of the main goals was to create a shared educational space where students could explore common values and roots, reflect on their differences, and learn to appreciate diverse social and historical perspectives. Public Speaking was identified as both a key competence and a powerful tool to help students express themselves, influence their communities, and grow as active citizens. At the same time, the project sought to support teachers in designing and implementing innovative, cross-curricular learning scenarios that integrate citizenship education and public speaking. Through transnational exchanges, national training, and collaborative content development, the project promoted professional growth, cross-border cooperation, and the exchange of best practices. It also encouraged stronger connections between schools and civil society, enhancing the capacity of local communities to support inclusive and participatory education.
The consortium applied for the Speak&Act project to respond to two specific needs: from students, the desire to strengthen their Public Speaking (PS) skills; from schools and teachers, the need to integrate Citizenship Education into the curriculum through innovative and transdisciplinary methods. Students expressed a strong interest in developing their ability to speak in public as a way to increase their self-esteem, confidence, and active participation in society. Teachers, on the other hand, needed concrete tools and strategies to turn Citizenship Education into a practical and engaging experience for students by promoting participation, argumentation, and debate. The project aims to bridge these needs by using PS both as a skill and as a method to foster democratic awareness and civic engagement. In line with EU and national recommendations, Speak&Act promotes collaboration among teachers, active learning, and new forms of student assessment, addressing the current gap in tools and practices for effective Citizenship Education in schools.