In March and April 2025, the Croatian adult education centre DANTE piloted the ACT4CONSENT educational programme in two secondary schools: Dr. Antun Barac Secondary School in Crikvenica and Adria International School in Opatija. The workshops introduced high school students to the concept of consent using innovative methods based on storytelling and drama.

Who Participated

A total of 36 students aged 15–17 took part in the pilot sessions. Participants came from diverse educational backgrounds, including vocational programmes in hospitality, tourism, and economics, as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

What Was Covered

The programme addressed four key topics:

• Recognising signs of non-consent
• Respecting personal boundaries
• Understanding power dynamics in relationships
• Setting boundaries and saying “NO” assertively and respectfully

Each session combined interactive presentations, group discussions, role-play scenarios, and storytelling. Icebreakers and reflection activities helped create a relaxed, open atmosphere that encouraged students to participate fully and share their views.

What We Learned

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many students shared that this was their first time learning about consent in such a clear and relatable way. They appreciated the realistic scenarios, the engaging format, and the opportunity to discuss everyday situations openly and without judgment.

The results confirmed a strong need for consent education in Croatian schools. Young people are eager to talk about relationships and boundaries, but they often lack safe and supportive spaces to do so. The ACT4CONSENT approach proved to be an effective, age-appropriate method for opening up these conversations.