Learning resources

Through its learning resources, the European Parliament supports formal and non-formal educators in helping young people to develop their knowledge of the foundations of the European Union, and their understanding of what the European Parliament does and stands for.

This set of learning methods and ready-to-use lessons, tailored for young people between 11 and 24 years old, has been designed with educational experts and will allow learners to explore, reflect and connect with democratic life.

On this page you will find different learning trails to guide young people step by step, from understanding the basics of EU decision-making to media literacy and the EU’s long-term budget. The trails aim to make European democracy more concrete and closer to everyday life.

1. Educator's manual

   This manual is your aid for quickly navigating and finding the right materials that best fit your needs, learners’ ages, prior knowledge, and educational context.

   • Educators' manual

2. Trail 1: Why European Union countries cooperate

   Focus on the history of the European Union and the central values it was founded on. The guiding question of this trail is: Why do EU countries cooperate?

   • Trail 1 manual
   • Core activity 1. A: Our values puzzle
   • Core activity 1.B: EU values game - guidelines
   • Core activity 1.B: EU values game
   • Core activity 2: EU countries game - guidelines
   • Core activity 2: EU countries game
   • Core activity 3: From past to present: exploring Europe's journey - game (coming soon)
   • Core activity 4: My/our European history. Worksheet
   • Core activity 4: My/our European history. Cards (coming soon)
   • Looking beyond 1: Individual Values Checklist
   • Looking beyond 2: EU positioning game

3. Trail 2: Who is responsible for what, and why

   Focus on the distribution of competences between the European Union and EU countries. The guiding question of this trail is: Between the European Union, EU countries and regions: Who is responsible for what, and why?

   • Trail 2 manual
   • Core activity 1: What does the EU decide?
   • Core activity 4: Malta: back to the f(EU)ture (coming soon)
   • Core activity 5: Who has a say? Cards (coming soon)
   • Looking beyond 1: Where do you stand: exploring the future of the EU
   • Looking beyond 2: What does your EU look like? Presentation
   • Looking beyond 2: What does your EU look like? Playing board (coming soon)

    

    

    

4. Trail 3: How decisions are taken in the European Parliament

   Focus on the decision-making processes in the European Union and the role of the European Parliament as representative of the citizens.  The guiding question of this trail is: How are decisions taken democratically in the European Union?

   • Trail 3 manual
   • Core activity 2: Mapping the legislative process - How are decisions made in the EU? (coming soon)
   • Core activity 3: European Parliament bingo
   • Looking beyond 1: Developing political demands (coming soon)
   • Looking beyond 1: Developing political demands. Worksheet (coming soon)
   • Core activity 4: European Parliament role play game - the legislative journey. Guidelines
   • Core activity 4: European Parliament role play game - the legislative journey. Presentation
   • Core activity 4: European Parliament role play game - the legislative journey. Boardgame

5. Trail 4: The European Union‘s effect on your daily life

   Focus on the effect of the European Parliament's decisions on the daily lives of citizens. Accordingly, the guiding question of this trail is: What impact do the European Parliament's decisions have on your region and everyday life?

   • Trail 4 manual
   • Core activity 1: Team quiz
   • Core activity 1: Answer sheet

6. Trail 5: Finding your way in the digital world

   Focus on building media literacy skills and understanding how the European Parliament supports this, as well as fighting disinformation to protect democracy in the digital age. The guiding question of this trail is: How can we find our way in an ever more digital world?

   • Trail 5 manual
   • Core activity 1: To be or not to be fooled? Presentation
   • Core activity 1: To be or not to be fooled? Worksheet (coming soon)
   • Ask an opening question: dialogue cards (coming soon)

7. Trail 6: The European Union's long-term budget

   Focus on the EU’s budget, how it is spent, and the European Parliament’s role in adopting it. The guiding question of this trail is: What is the EU budget, and what priorities does it finance?

   • Trail 6 Manual
   • Core activity 3: Invest in what matters. Role-play game.