Introduction

This book presents the empirical findings collected during the case studies developed withing the Horizon 2020 research project SMOOTH—Educational Spaces. Passing through Enclosures and Reversing Inequalities through Educational Commons. The project involved a partnership of 12 entities (11 universities and one museum) located in 8 European countries: Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Sweden. Third Parties (schools, NGOs, and local authorities) were also included in the research fieldwork. The overarching goal of the SMOOTH project was to comprehend, foster, and expedite the potential influence of education in addressing and reversing inequalities, especially those experienced by people (young and adults) belonging to vulnerable groups at risk, hence preventing and reducing social isolation, marginalisation, political frustration, fundamentalism and extremism, insecurity, and fear among these groups. This was achieved by introducing the emerging concept of the commons as an alternative framework of values and actions within preschools, schools, and afterschool programs, focusing on the interactions among children and youth, as well as between children and youth and adults, within an utterly relational context.