Through game development and active citizenship
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At Arden, we believe in the power of interactive experiences to educate and inspire. Our Play for Democracy program has been a testament to this belief, achieving remarkable success thanks to the dedication of our mentors and the enthusiasm of our participants. Here’s a glimpse into how the program unfolded and the profound impact it had on everyone involved.
Empowering Through Guidance
Our mentors played a pivotal role in the success of Play for Democracy. By teaching the fundamentals of creating interactive experiences and explaining the specific roles within a game development team, they provided our participants with a robust foundation. This knowledge was crucial as they embarked on their game development journeys, enabling them to transform their ideas into reality.
One of our mentors reflected on the importance of sharing even the most basic information, realizing that it can make a significant difference. The experience underscored the value of time management and the profound impact of self-confidence in helping young people reach their potential.
What Worked Well
Several key elements contributed to the program’s success. The September camp served as a catalyst, providing an immersive environment for learning and collaboration. Monthly meetings allowed us to track progress and maintain momentum. The unwavering support and openness of our mentors, combined with the dedication of our participants, were instrumental in achieving the project goals. Our recruitment strategy was exceptional, evidenced by the minimal drop-out rate, which affirmed that we had selected the right young talents.
Development and Achievements
The participants of Play for Democracy gained much more than technical skills. They formed meaningful relationships with peers and mentors who shared their passions. By the end of the program, they had completed two games, which they proudly added to their CVs. Exposure at industry events allowed them to network with other game developers, opening doors to further opportunities in the field.
Positive Feedback
The feedback from participants has been exceedingly positive. They appreciated the guidance provided by our mentors and felt a deeper understanding of democratic values and civic engagement. This feedback affirms the effectiveness of our approach and encourages us to continue refining our methods.
Overcoming Challenges
Time management emerged as a significant challenge for our mentors, who balanced their professional and personal commitments with the demands of the program. Packaging feedback in a way that was suitable for the participants’ level of understanding was another hurdle. Despite these challenges and the geographical distances between team members, we managed to work effectively, demonstrating once more the importance of virtual collaboration.
Replicability and Scalability
The Play for Democracy framework is highly replicable and scalable: the principles of fostering innovation and collaboration remain the same. This type of project can be successfully implemented in smaller cities, with the camp model serving as a foundation for team bonding and personal growth.
Community Impact
The program has had a significant impact on the community. Young participants developed a better understanding of their roles in society and the importance of democratic values. Some have taken their first steps toward a career in game developemtn, forming mentorship relationships that will benefit them in the long term.
Sustainability
The sustainability of Play for Democracy lies in its potential to gamify challenging educational themes and reach young people who need this knowledge the most. There is immense potential in these young talents; our mission is to connect with them and nurture their growth.
Innovation and Creativity
Innovation and creativity have been the driving forces behind our success. By introducing democratic and civic themes through video games, we engaged young people in a unique and effective way. The creative process of imagining worlds where these themes are explored was both new and impactful.
In the end, Play for Democracy has demonstrated to be a model for nurturing innovation and creativity among young people. By leveraging our expertise and encouraging participants to step beyond their comfort zones, we have established a strong foundation for a sustainable and impactful program that will continue to inspire future generations.
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#PlayForDemocracy #GamesForChange #GenZ #ErasmusPlus #GameDev #CivicGames #SocialImpact#YouthEmpowerment #VoteIt #Demostate
Play for Democracy is a project developed and implemented by Arden, with the support of its partners, and funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Program.
Arden is a non-profit charity of the game development community, pursuing educational and cultural programs for social impact.
We aim to nurture future generations by facilitating alternative education programs. And we explore our culture’s views, beliefs, and practices through creative arts as physical representations.
PFD is a youth participation project (ages 18-25) taking place from July 2023 to August 2024. The initiative is dedicated to young people with civic spirit and a passion for video games, aiming to encourage the younger generation to become active citizens, both through voting and other forms of civic engagement.
***The project is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Program. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of Education and Vocational Training. Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.
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