The Open Progressive University (OPU) is the first-ever e-learning platform for Social Democrats and one of the cornerstone projects of the first pillar (Providing Knowledge) of the FEPS Training Strategy. FEPS OPU is hosted in an online learning management System (LMS).
It is organised into modules, each of which contains lectures, short explanatory videos, exercises, podcasts and reading material. This allows the students to solidify the knowledge they acquire and pass the end-of-module examination. Upon completing several modules, participants are granted a certificate. Live lectures, workshops and training activities are also organised under the umbrella of the Open Progressive University.
The first programme of the Open Progressive University 2023 is structured into three modules: Next Left, Security and Resilience and Gender Equality. Each of the modules provides a learning path offering compulsory and extra material ranging from live lectures, readings to podcasts as well as exercises to be completed by the participants, which range from writing tasks to assessments on political simulation, where the participants will be asked to act as a certain governing body of the European Union.
In January 2025, FEPS and the S&D Group launched the new programme ‘Progressive Ukraine’ as part of FEPS’ Open Progressive University. This year-long programme aims to empower, inspire and engage with young progressive Ukrainians.
The courses focus on the far-reaching impacts of Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine’s reconstruction, and its journey towards EU membership. The programme offers a unique e-learning platform to connect and equip Ukrainian students with the tools, knowledge, and networks to help shape their country’s European future.
