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Education is the cornerstone of personal growth and societal progress. Whether it’s for professional development, civic engagement, or nurturing creativity, education shapes the way we think, interact, and contribute to the world around us. It empowers individuals of all ages to acquire knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and adapt to evolving challenges. The diversity of learning methods – be it through hands-on workshops, digital platforms, or classroom-based environments – ensures that education remains accessible and relevant. By investing in education, we not only enrich our own lives but also strengthen the communities we are part of, fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development.
Non-formal learning plays a crucial role in complementing formal education, offering flexible, community-driven opportunities for personal and professional growth. Unlike formal education, which is often structured and certified, non-formal learning occurs in diverse settings – through workshops, community projects, or peer-to-peer exchanges. This approach allows for greater adaptability, the honing of practical skills, creativity, and collaboration in real-world contexts.
Eutropian focuses on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and innovative practices through workshops, training, and hands-on learning. The organisation supports local communities, public administrations, and civil society in tackling urban challenges with tailored learning processes.
In projects like Open Heritage, Eutropian facilitated workshops on adaptive reuse of heritage sites, equipping stakeholders with tools to transform underutilised spaces into community assets. Similarly, in Inclusive City, it provides capacity-building support for placemaking, helping municipalities and NGOs align public spaces with community needs. Through URBACT Networks, Eutropian led peer-to-peer learning sessions on participatory governance, enabling urban stakeholders to map priorities and implement pilot projects.
Eutropian is increasingly focusing on structured educational approaches for vulnerable groups and youth. The Katalizátor Program in Budapest engages youth in democratic learning and civic participation through workshops, public institution visits, and collaborative projects, fostering future leaders. The Erasmus+ YoReC project further develops this model, expanding its reach through international partnerships in youth education.
Eutropian produces publications that document and share knowledge from its projects, offering resources like case studies, policy briefs, and practical guides on topics such as adaptive reuse, participatory governance, and social inclusion. Notable outputs include the Toolbox of Experimental Participatory Methods from the EUARENAS project, designed to help local administrations and NGOs implement innovative urban strategies for social cohesion and sustainability. Beyond written materials, Eutropian uses digital media—video series, audio documentaries, and e-learning courses—to ensure its findings reach a global audience. These resources make insights on urban regeneration, heritage management, and democratic engagement accessible for replication in diverse contexts.
The Katalizátor program, launched in January 2023 by Lukács Hayes with an opposition MP in Hungary, has involved over 55 high school students in democratic education. It empowers youth to engage with societal and political issues, fostering civic confidence. Plans include expanding the program across Budapest and eventually nationwide.
