About PLAYCRACY
PLAYCRACY is an international youth project focused on strengthening young people’s participation in democratic life through game-based learning. The project explores how gamification and board games can become powerful educational tools for civic engagement, critical thinking, and active citizenship.
Implemented within the youth field, PLAYCRACY brings together organizations and youth workers from Romania, Portugal, and Greece, united by a shared belief: democracy is best learned by doing, experiencing, and reflecting — not only by theory.
Mission
The mission of PLAYCRACY is to reconnect young people with democratic processes by using innovative, interactive, and experiential learning methods. By transforming civic education into an engaging and participatory experience, the project aims to make democracy more accessible, understandable, and relevant to young adults.
Objectives
PLAYCRACY pursues several interconnected objectives:
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To increase youth participation in democratic and civic processes at local and European level
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To equip youth workers with innovative, game-based educational methodologies
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To promote critical thinking, informed decision-making, and dialogue among young people
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To use gamification and board games as tools for civic education and social participation
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To encourage young people to actively engage in their communities
Target Group
The primary target group of the project consists of young people aged 18–29. In parallel, the project directly supports youth workers, trainers, and educators who work with young people and seek modern, effective tools for civic education.
Approach & Methodology
PLAYCRACY is built around experiential learning, combining:
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Game-based learning and gamification
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Board games and simulation games
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Collaborative learning and peer exchange
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Reflection and critical discussion
By placing young people in simulated democratic scenarios, the project allows participants to explore real-life civic challenges in a safe, engaging, and interactive environment.
Key Activities
Throughout its 12-month duration, the project includes the following core activities:
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Project management and dissemination to ensure quality implementation and visibility
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International brainstorming activity hosted in Portimão, fostering cross-cultural exchange and idea generation
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Research and toolkit creation, resulting in practical resources for youth workers
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International training for youth workers, focused on applying game-based methods in civic education
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Local activities and multiplier events, bringing project results directly to young people and communities
Expected Impact
Through its activities and outputs, PLAYCRACY aims to:
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Empower young people to become active, informed, and responsible citizens
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Strengthen the capacity of youth workers to deliver engaging civic education
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Promote democratic values such as participation, dialogue, inclusion, and responsibility
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Contribute to more resilient, participatory, and democratic communities
Duration & Framework
The project runs for 12 months, from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026, and is implemented within the youth sector under a European cooperation framework.
PLAYCRACY believes that learning democracy through play is not only effective, but essential for engaging a new generation of active citizens.