Final project conference showcases the success and future of Citizens Xelerator

The final international conference for the Citizens Xelerator project was held online, bringing together participants from 12 countries to celebrate the initiative’s accomplishments and explore its long-term potential. Organized by APCEP, Mentortec, and DANTE, with invaluable support from all project partners, the event served as a platform to present key outcomes, share experiences, and discuss future applications of the Citizens Xelerator model and resources.

Objectives of the event

The conference aimed to:

• Showcase the project’s resources, including the LifeComp cards, model, and kit.
• Present the results of the pilot action.
• Facilitate exploration and integration of the Citizens Xelerator materials.
• Introduce the project to organizations outside the consortium and from other countries.

This event also contributed to the development of an exploration plan to extend the project’s reach and impact.

A global audience

A total of 166 participants from countries such as Croatia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Angola, Belgium, Bulgaria, and the United States registered for the event, with 138 ultimately attending. The attendees included adult education professionals, representatives of education and training organizations, secondary and higher education teachers, NGO representatives, private sector leaders, and public institution representatives. Approximately 120 participants were women and 20 were men, reflecting diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.

Key highlights

1. Project Overview: Mentortec coordinator Andreia led a presentation summarizing the project’s journey, with a focus on the resources developed, including the LifeComp cards, CX Action Labs, and the model and kit.
2. Visual Showcase: Participants viewed a video capturing local activities from the consortium’s eight European partner countries, celebrating the project’s impact.
3. Website Tour: Antonella Marjanušić from DANTE provided a step-by-step guide to the project’s website, emphasizing its value for future users.
4. Policy Contributions: Dina Soeiro from EAEA highlighted the project’s role in advancing European adult education policies, focusing on:
   • Civic and democratic participation.
   • Co-construction of content with professionals and participants.
   • Diversity in practices and contexts.
   • Sustainability of outcomes beyond the project’s timeline.
   • Promoting adult education for life.
5. Consortium Insights: Representatives from each consortium country shared their experiences and strategies for ensuring the project’s sustainability.
6. Interactive Discussions: Moderated by Silvia Parreiral from APCEP, participants explored the project’s impact on their professional development and discussed additional support needed to implement the Citizens Xelerator model in their contexts.

The Citizens Xelerator model and kit were praised for their adaptability across various settings, including formal and non-formal education, adult qualification centers, and schools. Key takeaways included:

• The Think Tank and Create Your Action! tools were particularly impactful for professionals working directly with communities.
• LifeComp cards proved effective for fostering soft skills development in schools and workplaces, as well as for validating prior learning in adult qualification centers.

Participants proposed several future initiatives, including:

• Establishing a community of practice for peer learning and cross-border collaboration among educators and learners.
• Creating a brochure documenting activities carried out in each country.
• Introducing Citizens Days in schools to align with existing commemorative events.
• Expanding the integration of microlearning sessions into adult qualification programs.

A legacy of collaboration and impact

The conference underscored the flexibility and transformative potential of the Citizens Xelerator model. As noted by Sandra Gonzaga, a professional from a CVCC center, “It is a great challenge for us to implement CX, but largely rewarding!”

The event concluded with a commitment to continue training adult education professionals to maximize the project’s long-term impact. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, the Citizens Xelerator project has set a benchmark for adult education and lifelong learning initiatives worldwide.