Erasmus+ project launched: Roots & Fruits of Folk High Schools

How can Folk High Schools today serve as places for encounter, dialogue and democratic participation? And how can the educational philosophy of the Danish educator N.F.S. Grundtvig contribute to this? The project explores these questions.

The aim is to link the historical roots of the Folk High School movement with the demands of the present day and to strengthen these centres as places where democracy is not only taught, but can also be experienced and shaped. Eight Grundtvig ambassadors are trying out new methods and approaches to democracy education in Folk High Schools and sharing their experiences.

The project's background

Grundtvig is regarded as one of the historical pioneers of the European Folk High School movement. His understanding of education views learning as a lifelong, dialogical and community-oriented process: as a “school for life”, in which maturity, self-efficacy and social participation are strengthened. This idea is summarised in the principle ‘Living and learning under one roof’.

This is where the project “ROOTS & FRUITS” comes in. The project aims to adapt Grundtvig’s educational philosophy to the contemporary context and to reinforce its significance for the work of Folk High Schools. In the face of political polarisation, social division and growing challenges, particularly in rural areas, Folk High Schools should once again be seen more strongly as open spaces for learning, living and interaction, fostering democratic dialogue and social participation.
The project sees itself as a timely intervention, not to marginalise a key pedagogical legacy, but to consciously update it and make it relevant for the present day.

Project partners from Germany and Austria on board

ARGE Bildungshäuser Österreich, as the ‘lead partner’, is coordinating the project. The project team includes Petra König and Bianca Baumgartner as well as Chairman of the Board Franz Jenewein (Tiroler Bildungsinstitut Grillhof). The German project partner is the Verband der Bildungszentren im ländlichen Raum (Association of Educational Centres in Rural Areas). Managing Director Dr Peter Buhrmann brings in-depth expertise to the project thanks to his many years of engagement with Grundtvig’s educational philosophy and his publications on the subject. He is supported by the VBLR’s Erasmus coordinator, Laura Braun.

Joint kick-off for the project work

On 22 October 2026, the first project meeting took place online. This meeting set the course for further project activities. Two further project meetings will take place in person in Austria and Germany. The Grundtvig ambassadors have been deliberately invited to these meetings to promote personal exchange and networking, provide fresh impetus for the project work and further encourage them in their commitment.

More information:

• Projectwebsite of ARGE BHÖ for “Roots & Fruits”
• Verband der Bildungszentren im ländlichen Raum

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Disclaimer:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or OeAD-GmbH. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.