Article 12 Voting isn’t the only way: 5 ways youth can influence the EU
Image created with Microsoft Copilot Voting isn’t the only way: 5 ways youth can influence the EU Young Europeans are often portrayed as politically disengaged, yet recent data paints a more nuanced picture. While many young people do vote, a significant number feel that elections alone don’t fully capture how they want to participate in […]
Article 11 How to create an educational game without coding skills
Image created with ChatGPT and Canva How to create an educational game without coding skills Educational video games are no longer limited to professional developers. Thanks to no-code tools, young people and youth workers alike can now design interactive games without programming knowledge. In doing so, they can transform complex topics such as democracy, human […]
Article 10 Democracy starts with wellbeing: why mental health matters for active citizenship
Image created with Canva Democracy starts with wellbeing: why mental health matters for active citizenship Discussions on democracy and civic engagement most often focus on institutions, electoral systems and formal participation mechanisms. Much less attention is paid to a more fundamental question: how young people actually feel when they are invited to participate. In practice, democratic engagement […]
Article 9 Discover Games for impact
Image created with ChatGPT Discover Games for impact Not all games are made purely for entertainment. Some are designed to inspire reflection, raise awareness, and address complex social topics. These experiences can be grouped under the umbrella term “Games for Impact.” Games for Impact are video games created with goals beyond pure entertainment. They aim […]
Article 8 Pixelated policy: Why video games are the new classroom for citizenship?
Image generated by ChatGPT Pixelated policy: Why video games are the new classroom for citizenship? Beyond entertainment Educational games offer more than novelty. Well-designed civic games provide an environment for young people to actively practice essential democratic skills: weighing evidence, fostering collaboration, resolving complex problems, and navigating institutional structures. Games offer a powerful, low-risk, “learning […]
Article 7 What do young people think about democracy today?
Image created with ChatGPT What do young people think about democracy today? Young people, often grouped as “Gen Z” and younger millennials, tend to support democratic ideals: free speech, civil liberties, and having a voice in decisions that affect their lives. But a growing share are skeptical that the current systems actually deliver. Many praise […]
Article 6 12 useful tools to create educational video games without coding
Image created with Canva 12 useful tools to create educational video games without coding As has been proven by countless studies and based on its practice in the educational field, game-based learning can significantly enhance young people’s engagement and retention of complex topics. Incorporating game-based learning into civic education can foster a deeper understanding of […]
Article 5 Digital teamwork: how games can foster collaboration and civic responsibility
Image created with Canva Digital teamwork: how games can foster collaboration and civic responsibility What do online quests and democratic participation have in common? More than you might think. When young people play or create games together, they step into situations that require teamwork, negotiation and shared decision-making – the very same skills that are […]
Article 4 What games teach us about teamwork and community
Image created with Canva What games teach us about teamwork and community Most people think of video games as a hobby, but research shows they can also teach us important life skills, including communication, cooperation and empathy. Multiplayer action games, cooperative puzzles, or serious educational simulations – many types of video games create the ability […]
Article 3 Explaining EU values to youth with a game controller
Image created with Perplexity Explaining EU values to youth… with a game controller What do freedom, equality, and solidarity have to do with a game controller? In today’s digital world, quite a lot. The European Union’s core values – like inclusion, justice, non-discrimination, and democracy – can sometimes feel distant or abstract to young people. […]