The European dimension in education has been recognised since the 1970s as one of the key segments in promoting the process of European integration. The concept of the European dimension in education is neither new nor unambiguous, as it has been evolving and changing over the decades in line with cultural, political, and social transformations occurring in Europe. Broadly speaking, the European dimension in education is based on fostering the development of European awareness, European identity, and the promotion of European values among young people, with the aim of shaping responsible citizens who will actively participate in building Europe.

From a practical educational perspective, the concept of the European dimension is based on three main directions: learning ABOUT Europe, FOR life in Europe, and THROUGH Europe. To evaluate how the goals of the European dimension in education are implemented at the practical level in the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, key elements of all three areas of learning within the European dimension in education will be highlighted. These elements will focus on European values, European citizenship, and European identity. Based on these elements, a qualitative and quantitative content analysis method will be applied to examine the curricula of the cross-curricular topic Civic Education, which is officially in use in the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

By applying the horizontal comparison method similarities and differences between the analysed curricula in the two countries will be identified. The Civic Education cross-curricular curriculum was chosen because its goal is to develop civic competencies among young people that go beyond knowledge of political concepts and processes, emphasising the understanding and practice of European values and democratic principles within the community. Considering the primary objectives of the Civic Education cross-curricular topic, it is assumed that the results will demonstrate the development of all three areas of learning within the European dimension in education in both analysed curricula.

The conducted analysis can serve as a foundation for further comparative studies and for revising the existing Civic Education curricula in the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, new guidelines for teaching and learning regarding European values, European identity and European citizenship all with the aim of more effectively implementing and achieving the goals of the European dimension in education process.

Keywords: Civic education, curriculum, education, European dimension, teaching and learning.