In 2015, the EU Ministers of education adopted the Paris Declaration, which explains that one of “the major challenge we face in safeguarding our pluralistic societies [is] to impart common fundamental values”. They agreed on a common effort to teach pupils to become active citizens promoting democratic values and fundamental rights. However, the values of the European Union cannot be taught with coercive and top-down methodologies, but through empathic educational instruments.

The Key-Code aims to expand the curricula of secondary schools with educational experiences that enhance the key competences of pupils based on empathy, active citizenship and EU values. For the purpose Key-Code aims to develop, test and disseminate active learning instruments that enhance three categories of preadolescents’ (11 - 16 years) key competencies:

• Interpersonal skills based on empathy;
• Active EU citizenship;
• Cultural awareness concerning the EU values.

The project is addressed to:

• 11-16 years old students
• Teachers
• Policy makers in the field of education

The main project results include:

• A database of teaching sources to be used by secondary school teachers to promote the learning of key competences and soft skills on EU citizenship and values.
• A database of videos for the reinforcement of students’ key competences on European values.
• A set of Guidelines aimed to increase the effectiveness of strategies and activities to promote the development of key competences among adolescents and preadolescent students on EU values and citizenship.