EUelectionPlay: Gamifying youth public participation
In 2023, as part of the EUelectionPlay project, CRPE and AT launched a call for interest, inviting teachers and schools across Romania to participate in an exciting initiative aimed at enhancing democratic participation among students. Following this call, a series of offline classroom workshops were held as part of Module 1: Understanding Democratic Participation.
These workshops were designed to engage high school students through the Electionville game, a powerful simulation tool that allows students to step into the shoes of decision-makers in a fictional city.
Teacher training and workshop implementation
The project kicked off with teacher training sessions, which successfully brought together 40 educators from 40 high schools across Romania. Out of the 42 schools that initially expressed interest, these teachers actively participated in the training, where they learned to use the Electionville game as a tool for engaging students in civic education.
Upon completing their training, the teachers took a leading role in organizing classroom workshops, where the Electionville game was used to teach students about democratic processes.
The primary goals of these workshops were to:
- Apply learning: Teachers, having received Electionville game sets, were able to implement the game in their classrooms across 42 schools in Romania.
- Introduce project goals: Teachers briefed students on the broader objectives of the project, which aims to promote democratic engagement and critical thinking among youth.
- Game presentation: Teachers provided detailed explanations of how the Electionville game works, including its rules and simulation process, helping students understand the responsibilities of decision-makers.
- Hands-on application: Following the game’s introduction, students actively participated in the simulation, taking on roles that reflected real-world electoral systems and public decision-making.
Cities and student engagement
The enthusiasm generated from these workshops led to further expansion. More than 15 teachers organized between one and three workshops in their schools, reaching students in cities across Romania (I.L. Caragiale High School, Ploiești – 03.04.2023, I.L. Caragiale High School, Ploiești – 04.04.2023, Johan Ettinger German Theoretical High School, Satu Mare – 05.04.2023, Nicolae Bălcescu Theoretical High School, Medgidia – 20.04.2023, Costache Negri National High School, Galați – 20.04.2023, Tudor Jarda Music High School, Bistrița – 21.04.2023, Mircea cel Bătrân National College, Râmnicu Vâlcea – 24.04.2023, Unirea National College, Târgu Mureș – 24.04.2023, Roman Vodă National High School, Roman – 24.04.2023, Mihai Eminescu National High School, Buzău – 24.04.2023, Spiru Haret Dobrogean High School, Tulcea – 24.04.2023, Nicolae Tonitza Middle School No. 39, Constanța – 26.04.2023, Ioan Slavici High School, Panciu – 26.04.2023, Nicolae Tonitza Middle School No. 39, Constanța – 28.04.2023, Nicolae Tonitza Middle School No. 39, Constanța – 03.05.2023, Mihai Bravu Technical College, Bucharest – 15.06.2023, Dimitrie Cantemir High School, Darabani – 20.09.2023)
Through these workshops, a total of 414 students gained hands-on experience with the Electionville simulation. Additionally, 7 more teachers independently organized internal workshops using the game, though formal documentation wasn’t submitted for these sessions.
Key benefits of the workshops
The workshops had a significant impact on both students and teachers, offering a range of benefits:
- Enhanced understanding of democratic processes: Students developed a deeper understanding of the electoral system, public policy-making, and the role of citizens in governance.
- Active engagement and critical thinking: The Electionville game encouraged students to think critically about societal issues, analyze political perspectives, and make informed decisions.
- Collaborative learning: The game fostered teamwork, as students worked together to address challenges and find solutions within the simulation.
- Empowered teachers: Teachers gained a practical and interactive tool to enhance civic education, helping them make complex democratic concepts more accessible to students.
Positive feedback from teachers and students
Both teachers and students shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experiences with the Electionville game:
A teacher from Buzău noted:
“The Electionville game has completely changed how I approach teaching civic education. The students were deeply engaged, and the interactive format made complex concepts like elections and policy-making much more concrete and accessible.”
A student from Ploiești reflected:
“Playing Electionville was a real eye-opener. I had no idea how many factors influence decisions that impact an entire community. It made me curious to learn more about how things work in the real world.”
Each workshop was carefully documented, with photos, signature lists, and impressions collected from participants. The positive reception from both teachers and students underscores the effectiveness of the Electionville game in fostering civic engagement. Many students expressed an increased interest in participating in democratic processes, such as voting and community involvement, as a result of their hands-on experience.
The success of these workshops lays the groundwork for further civic engagement initiatives. With teachers equipped with an innovative and practical tool, and students gaining valuable experience in decision-making and governance, the project has the potential to inspire a new generation of informed, active citizens in Romania.
As a next step, students will be encouraged to participate in online learning modules about the European Union, further expanding their understanding of democratic systems at both the national and international levels.
The EUelectionPlay project continues to grow, with plans to introduce advanced modules that delve deeper into democratic participation, leadership, and active citizenship, ensuring a lasting impact on youth civic education in Romania.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
