In March 2023, an Erasmus+ training titled “Constructing the Present from Moments in the Past” took place in Berlin, Germany, gathering youth workers from different European countries. The program focused on educating youth workers about the legacy of European dictatorships after 1945 and how this history can support civic education today. The project aimed to help young people and youth professionals explore the connections between historical events and the current challenges facing democratic societies. Through this journey into the past, the project gave youth workers new tools to strengthen democratic values and civic participation in their communities.
In Romania, like in many parts of Europe, young people are often disconnected from their country’s past. Even though the history of dictatorship, censorship, and political violence is not far behind, many teenagers grow up without deeply understanding what life was like under such regimes. In recent years, there has also been a growing concern about the rise of political polarization, misinformation, and low voter engagement among the younger generation. Young people may feel that politics is not for them, or that their voice does not matter. Civic education in schools is often limited, and there are few opportunities outside of the classroom for youth to learn about democratic rights and responsibilities in a personal way.
The training in Berlin was an eye-opening experience. It combined formal knowledge with interactive methods that helped youth workers connect with the subject on a deeper level. One of the most powerful moments was visiting the Berlin Wall Memorial, where participants reflected on the physical and emotional barriers that separated people for decades. The group also visited museums and historical sites that told stories of resistance, propaganda, and survival under authoritarian rule. Discussions with historians and local activists helped show how Germany has worked hard to remember the past and use that memory to educate the present.
Participants also took part in role-playing activities, case studies, and group reflections. These tools helped to translate historical knowledge into real-world skills. The training made it clear that understanding the past is not just about remembering facts—it is about learning how power, fear, and control can shape societies, and how ordinary people can stand up for justice and human dignity. Meeting youth workers from other countries, sharing local realities, and learning from each other’s contexts added extra richness to the experience. Everyone could see that the challenges in their own country were not isolated but part of wider European trends.
After returning to Romania, the youth worker from Asociatia ACT O'CLOCK felt inspired to create something that would continue the spirit of the Berlin training. This led to the creation of a local civic education campaign called “My Voice, My Responsibility.” The idea was simple but powerful: to give young people the chance to explore how the lessons from the past can help them take action in the present. The campaign started with a series of youth-led workshops in schools, where students discussed democracy, freedom, and civic values using personal stories and creative activities. The workshops included drawing exercises, storytelling sessions, and debates on topics such as the right to protest, freedom of the press, and online responsibility.
The campaign also involved a traveling photo exhibition that highlighted young Romanians who are active in their communities today—volunteers, artists, and student leaders. These portraits were shown in public libraries, youth centers, and even small cafés, with short texts explaining why civic engagement matters and how young people can participate. The goal was to make youth voices visible and respected. A digital version of the exhibition was shared through social media, where it reached even more people and encouraged young audiences to think about how they could be part of change.
The results of this initiative were heartening. Students who had never thought about civic engagement before started showing interest in volunteering or joining youth councils. Teachers and school staff welcomed the new approach to education and said that students were more motivated and confident when they could express their opinions freely. Some young participants started organizing small actions in their communities, such as cleaning public parks, creating anti-bullying campaigns, or setting up discussion clubs. The message of the project—that every voice matters—began to spread beyond the workshops and into everyday life.
Local authorities also noticed the campaign. Representatives from the education department invited Asociatia ACT O'CLOCK to present the project in a regional youth forum. There, the NGO shared its approach and invited other youth workers to use the materials in their own towns. Discussions began about including more civic engagement topics in school programs. Although the changes were small, they showed how one inspired project can plant seeds for long-term improvements in policy and education.
Looking ahead, the team at Asociatia ACT O'CLOCK sees this as just the beginning. They hope to expand the “My Voice, My Responsibility” campaign to reach rural schools and marginalized youth, including those from low-income families or minority backgrounds. They are also developing a training guide based on their experience, which will be available for other youth workers and teachers across the country. Through this, the legacy of the Berlin training will continue to grow and support others.
The journey from history to action has shown that young people have a great power to shape their communities when they are given the space, tools, and encouragement to do so. By learning from the past, they can better understand the present and make more conscious decisions for the future. The Erasmus+ training in Berlin gave one youth worker the strength and inspiration to create real change at home. It reminded everyone that history is not only something to study—it is something to use, to remember, and to turn into something meaningful. When young people engage with that process, society becomes stronger, more tolerant, and more prepared for the future.