What can a work of art tell us about media literacy, cultural diversity or the ways we participate in civic life?
CITRUS starts from the idea that civic learning does not have to happen through textbooks or traditional classrooms alone. Art can create space for reflection, discussion and different points of view…and digital technology can offer new ways for adults to interact with these ideas.
CITRUS – Civic Art Transforms Us: Art-Based Approach to Fostering Civic Participation is a 24-month Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in adult education bringing together six organisations from Lithuania, Latvia, Austria, Portugal and Belgium. Running from November 2025 to October 2027, the project aims to strengthen adults’ civic competences and encourage lifelong learning through a combination of art, culture, augmented reality (AR) and non-formal education.
A central priority of CITRUS is also inclusion. The project is developing its learning resources with adults with reading difficulties in mind, including people who may face barriers because of learning disabilities, reading disorders or language difficulties. The aim is not simply to create innovative educational tools, but to ensure that more adults can meaningfully access and participate in civic learning.
At the centre of CITRUS will be the Civic Art Gallery, an augmented-reality learning experience that brings together selected artworks and five interactive educational programmes. Through literature, music, theatre, photography and other forms of artistic expression, learners will explore 5 areas of civic competence: media literacy, civic participation, cultural diversity, ethical decision-making and the art of peaceful protest. Rather than simply presenting information, the activities are intended to encourage learners to interpret, question, discuss and reflect on the civic issues represented through art. The app and its educational materials will be available in English, French, German, Lithuanian, Latvian and Portuguese, with easy-to-read adaptations designed to improve accessibility for adults with reading difficulties.
In addition, CITRUS is not only creating resources for learners. Adult educators are another key target group. An online Toolbox for adult educators will provide practical guidance for incorporating the Civic Art Gallery, AR technology and art-based methods into non-formal learning environments. It will include guidance on using the educational programmes, creating engaging learning experiences and adapting activities for adults with reading difficulties.
Follow the CITRUS journey!
CITRUS is still developing its tools, methodologies and learning activities, and the project website is the best place to follow that process.
Visit citrusproject.eu to discover the project, learn more about the organisations behind it and follow the latest news and developments.
Whether you work in adult education, civic learning, culture or inclusion (or you’re simply interested in how art and technology can open new conversations about civic life) follow CITRUS and see what happens when civic learning moves beyond the classroom.