Within the framework of the Pro-Electoral Integrity project, ECES supported the African Union in the organisation of a high-level regional meeting held in Cotonou, Benin, dedicated to advancing the pilot phase of the inclusion and mainstreaming of the ACDEG into school curricula across West Africa.

Implemented with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the meeting convened representatives from national institutions, the African Union, partner organisations, education authorities, civil society actors, and members of the diplomatic community. The gathering served as an important regional platform to reinforce political commitment and foster coordination around civic education and democratic governance initiatives in the region.

Participants reviewed progress achieved under the pilot phase, shared national experiences and good practices, and exchanged perspectives on approaches for integrating democratic principles, citizenship education, and governance-related themes into formal education systems. Discussions also highlighted the importance of promoting democratic culture among younger generations through inclusive and context-sensitive educational tools and methodologies.

The meeting further contributed to strengthening regional cooperation and dialogue among participating countries, while encouraging greater collaboration between institutional actors and education stakeholders in support of sustainable democratic governance. It also reaffirmed the shared commitment of partners to advancing civic awareness, democratic participation, and the values enshrined in ACDEG through education systems across West Africa.