Context:
The EU PLAYER project was developed in response to a growing disconnect between young people and the European Union, despite many youths feeling a general sense of belonging. Studies and past project experiences (e.g. READY, YourEP, VOICE) reveal that this disconnect stems from a lack of EU-related education in schools, a shortage of effective learning tools, and limited opportunities for young people, especially vulnerable youth, to understand how the EU affects their lives and how they can participate in democratic processes. This knowledge gap not only fuels disinterest and Euroscepticism but also undermines active citizenship. To address this, there is a clear need for accessible, engaging, and innovative learning methods like game-based education, alongside improved support for educators to make EU topics more relevant and appealing.
Objectives:
The project aims to strengthen young people’s knowledge of the European Union and their sense of belonging, focusing on those aged 13 to 25. By promoting game-based learning, it engages both young individuals and educators in a dynamic and inclusive way. The initiative tackles euroscepticism by guiding participants on a journey from being EU Players to becoming EU Ambassadors, empowered to share what they have learned through local and international activities. The shift from analogue to digital tools supports broader outreach and ensures the project’s long-term sustainability.
Activities and outputs
Board game & handbook for professionals
“Europe United”, an engaging and appealing strategic board game, is currently being developed to support innovative, game-based learning about the European Union. Project partners are excited to partner with Red Glove Edizioni, a professional educational game developer company on this journey. We will start distributing the game in educational settings in the partner countries from September 2026.
Alongside the game, the “Learn by Play” handbook equips trainers and youth workers with guidance on gamification in education, including practical exercises and how to link them to the board game, to make EU topics more accessible and engaging for young people.
Workshops
A series of interactive workshops will be implemented in schools to engage students with the European Union through game-based learning. Trained youth workers will lead these sessions, using the EUPLAYER board game to create a fun and educational experience that helps students understand how the EU works and why their participation matters.
To ensure quality and consistency, youth workers will first receive local training, that will prepare them with knowledge on gamification techniques, EU structures, and strategies for engaging schools and students. These workshops aim to boost civic knowledge while also developing key life skills through gamified learning.
An international training session, held at the end of March 2026 in Lucca (IT) trained the lead trainers for this concept.
Summer Camp & digital outreach
As part of its efforts to deepen youth engagement, the EUPLAYER project will organise an online tournament and a Summer Camp for the 20 most active players, creating opportunities for continued learning, peer exchange, and civic empowerment through gameplay. A digital hackathon will invite young people to co-develop ideas to expand the game’s reach, supporting the creation of a digital version. These activities will be accompanied by a creative social media campaign to promote active citizenship in youth-friendly formats, and a final event to showcase the project’s outcomes, reflect on its impact, and foster ongoing dialogue with European institutions.
Gamification, Game-based learning and the EU
From 25 to 27 March 2026, youth workers, teachers and other educators took part in the International Training on Gamification, Game-based learning and the EU in Lucca (Italy). The event was hosted by Zefiro and organized in collaboration with the YES Forum.
The training was designed to equip participants with both theoretical and practical knowledge of EU-focused gamification in a “train the trainer” setting. Participants will go on to train other educators locally on how to bring the EU to young people through board game play and also engage in play sessions themselves.
Crucially, the training served as a kick-off for the board game Europe United developed within the project in cooperation with professional game developer Red Glove Edizioni, as it was presented and played by the partner organizations.
Project details:
Action: Erasmus+ KA220-YOU- Cooperation partnerships in youth
Project coordinator: YES Forum
Duration: 2024-2027
