Don@u Online 2026

Athens is considered the birthplace of democracy. The success story of this form of government has made it the hallmark of Europe. Even if European countries organise the form of "popular rule" differently, the goal of a democracy is always the temporary granting of power, the protection of human rights and the rule of law, the separation of powers and freedom of opinion. Which paths lead to these goals and how do we protect them? Increasing disinformation, extreme populism and authoritarian developments are challenging our societies. But democracy is above all a way of life. How is it implemented in the countries and schools along the Danube? What rights of co-determination are there and what forms have proved successful? In the Don@u online project, pupils explore the many ways in which countries along the Danube keep democracy flowing and make it a quality feature: Democracy made in Europe! The project is organised by the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg, the Europa Zentrum Baden-Württemberg, the Donaubüro Ulm/Neu-Ulm and the Cultural Officer for the Danube Region at the Danube Swabian Central Museum, supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.

Target group
The German-language project is aimed at pupils aged 16 and over. A total of 27 school classes can take part. We would like all 14 countries bordering the Danube to be represented with classes/groups in the project. Participation is only possible from language level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Teacher exchange
The project will start with a virtual meeting of the participating teachers from Baden-Württemberg and the Danube riparian states from 16 to 29 January 2026, followed by a kick-off event at Haus auf der Alb in Bad Urach from 10 to 12 February 2026. There, the teachers will plan the collaboration between their pupils. The teachers are also invited to the "Democracy in schools along the Danube" conference on 9 February in Donaueschingen. Teachers from Eastern Europe will arrive on 8 February and spend the night in Donaueschingen; a transfer will be organised from Stuttgart to Donaueschingen.

Online collaboration between school classes
In spring 2026, two to three school classes will work together with their teachers over a period of four to five weeks. They will be supported by tutors. The school class teams work together to realise an idea of their own choosing. They present the results on the Internet

Danube Youth Camp - Meeting of the pupils in Ulm/Neu-Ulm
Following the transnational virtual collaboration, selected pupils (aged 16 and over) from the participating school classes will meet at the International Danube Youth Camp "Europe is us" from 2 to 8 July 2026 in Ulm/Neu-Ulm. They will present their project results and take part in a varied European cultural programme.

Aims of the project

• Meeting of school classes from the countries bordering the Danube
• Development and support of transnational cooperation between teachers
• Promoting cooperation between school classes on the above-mentioned topics
• Establishment, support and further development of school partnerships

The project offers participating teachers

• Cooperation with teachers from the Danube countries at the kick-off event and during the project work with the school classes
• Didactically prepared teaching materials
• Tutorial support for virtual meetings
• If necessary, accompanying the young people to Ulm and participation in the Danube Festival

Timetable

• Application deadline: by 10 October 2025 at the Baden-Württemberg State Agency for Civic Education Kick-off event for the participating teachers in Bad Urach: 10 to 12 February 2026
• Optional for teachers from Germany: Participation in the symposium in Donaueschingen on 9 February, mandatory for teachers from Eastern Europe (arrival via Stuttgart on 8 February 2026)
  Collaboration of the school classes: four to five weeks in the period from February to May 2026. The start of the project is determined by the classes themselves.
• International Danube Youth Camp Ulm/Neu Ulm: 2 to 8 July 2026.
• Participation of two selected pupils per participating class

Registration and information
You can find more information about the project and the application here: www.donau-online-projekt.de/
You can apply there using an online form.
Contact persons at the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg:
Beatrix Melchinger, Project Manager Don@u-Online, donau_online@web.de
Sabine Keitel, Department of E-Learning, sabine.keitel@lpb.bwl.de, www.elearning-politik.de
State Agency for Civic Education Baden-Württemberg (LpB), Lautenschlagerstr. 20 | 70173 Stuttgart