Mind the game or game the mind: Rethinking of gamification as an educational approach in youth work and citizenship education

<< Background >>We applied for this project to address several needs identified within the context of the partner organizations' work with young people in the domain of citizenship education and youth engagement. These needs included the desire to strengthen professional capacities, particularly in the area of gamified learning environments, in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic and other crises. There was also a need for greater collaboration and exchange of best practices among the partner organizations, as well as a need to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of youth work, especially with diverse target groups.<< Objectives >>The main objective of the project was to increase the professional capacities of the partner organizations by improving their practices around gamified learning environments for young people in the domain of citizenship education, youth engagement, and participation. Specifically, the project aimed to create a shared understanding of gamification as an educational approach, exchange and rethink methods, share best practices, and develop a common pedagogical framework for designing and facilitating gamified learning activities.<< Implementation >>The project implemented a series of exchange, training, and reflection events to achieve its objectives. These activities included a residency in Tallinn, Estonia, a gamified learning design training in Beskid Niski, Poland, the piloting of gamified learning curricula in partner countries, and a final hybrid meeting in Berlin for reflection and evaluation. Throughout these activities, partners collaborated to share knowledge, develop frameworks, and pilot innovative methods in gamified learning environments.<< Results >>The project delivered outcomes in terms of enhancing capacities on both personal and organizational levels. Through coordination meetings, preparation of events, and sharing reflections, partners were able to learn from each other's experiences, expertise, and diverse perspectives. This collaborative approach fostered a rich exchange of ideas, best practices, and innovative methods in gamified learning environments for youth engagement and citizenship education.One of the key tangible outputs of the project was the development of a comprehensive flipbook and podcast series. The flipbook served as a pedagogical framework for designing and facilitating gamified learning environments, featuring illustrations, schemes, and longreads focused on citizenship education for young people. This resource provided practical guidance and insights derived from the collective expertise of the partner organization and participants.Complementing the flipbook, the podcast series offered a platform for practitioners to share their experiences and stories of using gamification in various contexts, including youth work, formal and non-formal learning settings.