The purpose of this mapping exercise was to establish a robust evidence base for peace education in the Danube region. By systematically identifying existing educational and cultural initiatives, institutional frameworks, and civil-society actors, the mapping seeks to reveal both the strengths and the gaps in how peace, human rights, intercultural dialogue, and social inclusion are addressed through education and related community work. In doing so, the mapping aims to inform the design of interventions targeting adult educators, displaced persons, cultural actors, and intergenerational groups, ensuring that subsequent project work is grounded in real needs, existing assets, and a clear understanding of the regional context.

The methodological approach combined desk-based research and empirical data collection. Drawing on global and regional literature in peace education and post-conflict reconciliation, we reviewed existing studies, prior mappings, policy documents, and relevant educational frameworks. Complementing this, we designed survey instruments, interview guides, focus group protocols, and resource-mapping templates to gather input from local stakeholders across five partner countries, including educators, civil-society organisations, cultural institutions, community mediators, and displaced persons.

This mixed-methods design captures not only formal peace-education programmes but also informal and non-formal grassroots initiatives, cultural memory work, and cross-border projects that might otherwise remain invisible. Data were collected through 7 expert interviews, 5 focus groups involving 39 participants, 5 national surveys with a combined 150 respondents, 16 case studies, and the mapping of 28 resources across the partner countries.