In increasing challenges to democracy, inclusivity, and human rights, universities’ contribution to promoting core European Union (EU) values, such as freedom, human dignity, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights, becomes increasingly critical.

The EmbED-EU project, funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Program (Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education), seeks to create a comprehensive framework integrating EU values in university education, thereby arming teaching staff and academics with the information, skills, and critical awareness required to support their students advance these values in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Moreover, this project includes a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and a digital self-assessment tool meant to give university lecturers an interactive learning experience, strengthening their awareness of EU values and their skills in integrating them into their teaching practice.

This paper aims to describe the design and development of the MOOC, emphasizing its self-paced and asynchronous learning approach, which enhances accessibility and flexibility. The MOOC is designed to motivate and equip academics and university instructors with the necessary tools to integrate EU values into teaching and learning. Structured across six modules, it guides learners through the fundamental EU values and their application in higher education and beyond. Each module includes a 10-15 minute knowledge clip, offering key insights into the topic and a study guide to help learners navigate the content effectively. Learners can access 2-3 open-access readings to deepen understanding, carefully selected to provide diverse perspectives and evidence-based insights. A self-assessment activity is also incorporated to encourage reflection and reinforce learning, allowing participants to gauge their progress and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. The MOOC is grounded in qualitative research and evidence-based instructional strategies, ensuring its effectiveness in addressing the learning needs of university students.

Module 1 introduces the European Union’s foundation, covering its history, purpose, and structure, while examining how its core values shape society, influence policy, and guide education. Module 2 highlights higher education’s role in promoting EU values, using university case studies to illustrate their implementation and impact. Module 3 focuses on embedding EU values in curricula, ensuring teaching practices reflect and promote these principles to foster responsible global citizens. Module 4 explores best practices for creating inclusive, equitable learning environments, particularly for marginalized groups, equipping educators with practical tools. Module 5 examines strategies for student engagement, democratic participation, and meaningful discussions on EU values. Finally, Module 6 critically reviews the EmbED-EU project’s results, assessing progress, challenges, and lessons from its 24-month duration, while exploring future directions and the need for continuous adaptation in higher education.

As challenges to democracy and inclusivity persist, initiatives like this MOOC remain essential in equipping academics and university lecturers with the knowledge and tools to empower future generations to uphold and advance these fundamental principles in society.

Keywords: European Union values, MOOC, higher education, democracy, inclusion, online learning.