As part of the EulectionPlay project: Gamifying Youth Public Participation: From Local Governance to European Union Elections, we organized a study visit to Bucharest on May 24th. This visit was intended for the young ambassadors selected to enhance youth civic involvement and increase voter turnout.
About the EulectionPlay project and youth civic participation
The EulectionPlay project started over 18 months ago with the introduction of the Electionville game in more than 40 schools in Romania. This award-winning board game was created by a civic education teacher under the umbrella of the Swedish Agency and is currently used successfully in schools across several European countries. We trained over 40 teachers in teaching the interactive game, and 250 students tested it in their classes. Additionally, we organized online modules about the European Union for more than 500 students.
We also organized a competition among the students involved in the project, resulting in the selection of seven young ambassadors. Together with the CRPE team, they coordinated the organization of 5 events dedicated to young people in their communities. The success of these events was remarkable, with more than 380 young people actively participating in debates. We discussed the importance of voting, the European elections, how young people can get involved, and how they can influence their community.
4 out of the 5 events included debates between fictitious parties formed by young people aged 17 to 18, peers of the seven young ambassadors, and students from the high schools involved in the project. These debates were followed by a simulation of the voting process, culminating in the designation of the winning fictitious parties. This format provided young people with practical experience in understanding the electoral process.
Study visit focused on the importance of voting
The seven young ambassadors participated in a study visit to Bucharest, organized by CRPE, as a form of recognition for their efforts and commitment. The aim was to give them the opportunity to interact directly with representatives of the European Parliament Office and members of the diplomatic corps at the Swedish Embassy in Romania.
The study visit began with a meeting at the Swedish Embassy in Romania, hosted by Mrs. Kamilla Lindström Rehbinder, Deputy Head of Mission, Political, Commercial, and Cultural Affairs, and Mrs. Oana Bitan, Financial and Cultural Officer. The role of the Swedish Embassy in implementing the first phase of the EulectionPlay project
was essential, as the embassy was the strategic supporter of the Electionville game component. With the support of the Swedish Embassy, the game was translated into Romanian and distributed in physical format to over 40 schools in Romania.
The young ambassadors had the opportunity to share their experiences related to using the Electionville game in classes and to describe the added value it brought in the subsequent stages of the project. They also shared their experiences in organizing the five events in their communities and the successful outcomes of these events.
The study visit program continued with a meeting at the European Parliament Office in Romania, where we discussed with Mr. Răzvan Szabo and Mrs. Irina Constantinescu the importance of youth participation in the European elections and the functioning mechanisms of the European Union.
Proposals from young people for increased civic involvement
The young ambassadors presented their recommendations for motivating and involving more young people in the voting process. One of the main recommendations was increasing the accessibility of reliable information about candidates and politics in general. They emphasized the importance of clear and accessible information sources, enabling them to make informed decisions.
There was also a discussion about the potential implementation of electronic voting, highlighting how familiar young people are with technology and their preference for digital methods. They argued that such a system could significantly increase youth voter turnout by making the voting process more accessible and convenient.
Another recommendation was the introduction of civic engagement programs from a younger age.
The study visit was not only an opportunity for learning but also a chance to celebrate the successes of the EulectionPlay project and to plan the next steps in promoting active youth participation in the democratic life of Romania and the European Union. This experience strengthened the bonds between the young ambassadors and the project partners, reinforcing their shared commitment to civic education and youth engagement in the democratic process.
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.
