WP3: Gamification for the spread of knowledge on EU institutions

Objectives

Enable young participants to deepen their knowledge of the EU institutions and policies and understand how EU Parliament works as well as to take active role in it via simulation game

EVENT DESCRIPTION SHEET

Study session on the issues of the thematic commission

Local in-situ trainings with participants: The Parlamentarium simulation is composed of three sessions with the purpose to ensure full comprehension of the Parliamentarium game, understand how EU Parliament and other EU institutions works and prepare for the final online event. These trainings were up to 2-3h per session.

Milestones

Firstly, the introduction of the Parliamentarium game timeline and workflow among consortium partners: The consortium partners were familiar with the Parliamentarium game timeline, workflow, outputs, and reporting. This ensured a common understanding and collaboration among the partners throughout the project. This was followed by a common agreement on the theme of the “climate change” as a core topic for discussions and for online EU Parliament simulation event.

EFEKTAS group

TARGET GROUPS more than 360 participants took part in the parlamentarium game training, among them we can count university students belonging to different branches, mainly humanities, people working in associations, teachers, NGO representatives, etc.”

ITALY – COPE

Organization: COPE, Italy
Place: Catania, Italy
Date/s: 05/10/2023, 09:00–13:00 & 15:00–18:00
Total participants: 17 (11 Females & 6 Males)

Manifestos of the four fictitious political groups that
participated in the debate

COPE hosted Parlamentarium training at the University of Catania and so participants were university students. The one-day training started with the presentation of the project, CERV programme, followed by EU Parliament and other EU institutions. COPE has also prepared ice-breaking sessions. Presentation of the Parlamentarium game was provided and students were divided into several groups. Afterwards they prepared and presented manifestos. Each group had to prepare a policy that was then presented to the audience. Finally, there was a session for debates, while students were really touching all aspects of the policies, such as corruption, environmental impact, interest of citizens, employability etc. And the third session was concluded with the voting for each of the presented policies. At the beginning COPE staff provided an anonymous before survey asking if they have ever used gamification approach (80% replied that never), the level of knowledge of EU Parliament, EP Groups, fake news, creation policies and their expectations of the training. After the training, an anonymous after survey was administered together with the EU Survey. More than 93% were satisfied with the training. After the training, a group of students came to COPE’s staff as they were really eager to have more information also about upcoming activities and events.

ROMANIA – ACTA

Place: Oradea, Romania 
Date/s: 
13-15/06/2023
20/09/2023 9:00-12:00
28/09/2023 9:00-12:00
06/10/2023 9:00-12:00
Total participants: 63 (28 Females & 35 Males)

Political speech about fake news!

Political speech about fake news by one of the four political groups.

 

Parlamentarium training was organized by ACTA at the “Emanuil Gojdu” National College in Oradea. This project activity included 3 workshops and was implemented by students. In the first two sessions, the participants were informed about the FACT project, CERV program, the EU Parliament and the EU institutions. The Parlamentarium game was presented and the students were divided into groups for which they developed a national strategy on the issues developed during the debates. The third Parlamentarium debate session within the project was organized and consisted of effective simulation, and a debate, in which the participants were involved in a role-playing game and presented their political manifestos.

FINLAND – EYP

In Finland two Parlamentarium events were held in Helsinki. One held at an upper secondary school and the other at premises of EYP Finland for representatives of Finnish youth organizations. Both sessions began with an introduction to the FACT-project, EU decision making the structure of the game as well. This was followed by the simulation where participants were separated into groups, made themselves familiar with the topic, created manifestos and final campaign proposals. While some participants found it challenging to approach the topic from the perspective of the political groups assigned to them, the attitude in the events was generally positive and the participants expressed that through the game they were able to understand EU decision making more concretely as well as develop their presentation skills. The participants were immersed into the simulation and enthusiastically participated in the role-play aspect of the game, using language and rhetorical tactics of politicians, despite most having no previous experience in such advocacy work.

Place: Helsinki, Finland
Date/s: 28/04/2023 9:00-12:00
Total participants: 10 (5 Females & 5 Males)
Date/s: 06/10/2023 9:00-16:00
Total Participants: 12 (7 Females, 5 Males)
Total participants = 22

POLAND – FUNDACJA  AUTOKREACJA

Place: Poland Date/s:
03/07/2023 15:00–20:00
04/07/2023 15:00-20:00
05/07/2023 15:00-20:00
Total participants: 12 (8 Females & 4Males)

 

The events were held in July 2023 in cooperation with HDI organisation. We gathered young people that already are participating in different workshop offered by organisations especially linked to the employability skills. The group was already integrated due to the previous meetings where they were trained. Their level of their knowledge about the EU institutions were very low. At the beginning we asked about their expectations and what they know about the EU Parliament and the elections that are planned for 2024. Surprisingly only few people answered that they will participate, anyway they do not know the candidates and their representatives. after collecting expectation, mini lecture and discussion the trainer presented the rules and the game. Participants were very enthusiastic and involved in the role-play method.

PORTUGAL – IMVF

The realization of this event took place in the city of Braga, in the north of Portugal, on June 27 and 28, 2023, in the context of the Centenary of the Scouts of Portugal (Thematic Citizenship Fair for young people). To this end, the duration of the time of the game was adapted. We started by presenting the FACT project and its activities, followed by a presentation of the Parlamentarium game. Groups were created and each group was accompanied in the construction and creation of its Manifesto. The groups then presented their Manifestos and were voted on by their colleagues. The groups were invited to do an online evaluation after the event. Several participants signed expressions of interest to take part in future FACT activities.

Place: Braga, Portugal
Date/s
27/05/2023, 09:00–12:00
28/05/2023, 10:00–13:00
Total participants: 50 (30 Females & 20 Males)

SPAIN – JOVESOLIDES

Two “Parlamentarium” workshops were developed in two high school institutes in Valencia, each of them consisting in two sessions of 3 hours. After a brief “Ice Breaker”, an explanation was made to the young people, on how the EU works.This explanation included the main EU institutions, how EU Parliament works, the Commissions, and the political parties. Then the class was divided in 4 groups (parties), and each group should elaborate a document on “how do they think”, according to the values of the party they represented. Once they prepared it, they had to prepare a Directive regarding an environmental issue. Each party should amend that Directive. In the next session, they should finish their proposal, aligned with the ideology of their party, and then present it to the rest of the political parties. Then, the proposals were voted, to decide which one was the winning proposal.

Place: Valencia, Spain
Date/s:
19/05/2023 11:10-14:15
23/05/2023 11:10-14:15
Total participants: 20 (15 Females, 5 Males)

Date/s:
25/10/2023 11:10-14:15
27/10/2023 11:10-14:15
Total participants: 23 (17 Females / 4 Males / 2 Non binary)

GREECE – IASIS

Place: Thessaloniki, Greece
Date/s: 20/07/2023, 10:00–12:30
Total participants: 17 (12 Females & 5 Males)
Date/s: 10/10/2023 18:30-20:30
Total participants: 23 (17 Females, 6 Males)

Two dynamic “Parlamentarium” workshops took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, offering engaging educational experiences. Participants, divided into imaginary policy groups, immersed themselves in a simulation game mirroring EU legislative process. Both workshops aimed to develop participants’ strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, diplomatic language, and understanding of EU decision-making. The simulation game involved participants in the legislative process, mirroring real-world scenarios within the European Parliament. The workshops featured case studies, including distance education, implantable microchips, and a proposal to reduce working days. The interactive format encouraged collaboration, practical learning, and strategic thinking, making the workshops a valuable experience for understanding EU decision-making.

HUNGARY – CTRIA

Place: Székesfehérvár, Hungary
Date/s:

29/03/2023 9:00-12:00
31/03/2023 9:00-12:00
03/04/2023 9:00-12:00
Total participants: 20 (17 F, 3 M)

28/03/2023 12:00-15:00,
29/03/2023 12:00-15:00,
30/03/2023 12:00-15:00
Total participants: 12 (6 F, 6 M)

19/04/2023  9:00-12:00,
21/04/2023 14:00-17:00,
28/04/2023 14:00-17:00
Total participants: 17 (2 F,15 M)

17/04/2023 8:00-11:00
18/04/2023 8:00-11:00
25/04/2023 8:00-11:00
Total participants: 17 (2 F, 15 M)

03/04/2023 9:35-11:20,
17/04/2023 9:35-11:20
24/04/2023 9:35-11:20 T
Total participants: 13 (10 F, 3 M) 

The trainings were mostly held in schools in Székesfehérvár. The children really enjoyed being able to put themselves in the shoes of the politicians for a while and recite various manifestos. The teachers’ interest in the topic made the training and role play games even more exciting. The children were given a lot of information about pseudo-news, and the teachers tried to illustrate them with their own examples.

LITHUANIA – EFEKTAS

Place: Pilviškiai, Lithuania
Date/s:
05/05/2023 12:00-15:00
12/05/2023 9:00-13:00
19/05/2023 12:00-14:00
Total participants: 17 (10 Females & 7 Males)

The FACT project’s local training events at Pilviškiai Gymnasium represented a commendable effort to engage students in the democratic processes of the European Union. Over the course of these sessions, 17 students ranging from 9th to 12th grade were introduced to the intricacies of the FACT project and the workings of the EU Parliament. These young individuals, hailing from a rural educational setting, were provided with the opportunity to delve into subjects that are often perceived as remote or complex for their age group. Training events at Pilviškiai Gymnasium succeeded in introducing students to the EU’s democratic processes and stirring a curiosity about civic engagement. While challenges in maintaining engagement among the younger demographics were noted, the overall experience was enriching, with the Parlamentarium game notably enhancing the students’ learning journey. The project has laid a foundation for these students to become more informed and active citizens, capable of contributing to the discourse on European matters that shape their future. Through the training, the participants acquired a deeper understanding of the EU’s legislative body, its committees, and the pivotal role they play in shaping European policies. Empowered with this knowledge, the students took an active role in preparing their own manifestos, aligned with the committees they were assigned to represent. This exercise fostered a sense of ownership and involvement, as they brainstormed and articulated ideas for policy recommendations, a process that is at the heart of civic engagement and the democratic experience.

Testimonials

Read our participants memories form the events

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 EACEA can be held responsible for them.