From 12 to 14 March, partners of the CIVIKO project came together in Niš, Serbia for a productive and inspiring transnational meeting. Building on the insights gathered from local focus groups conducted in each partner country, the meeting marked an important step in shaping the foundation of the CIVIKO board game.
At the beginning of the meeting, partners presented the key findings from their national focus groups, highlighting the needs, challenges, and expectations of students regarding democratic participation. These insights were collectively reviewed and discussed, creating a shared understanding of the realities in different local contexts. Through this exchange, the consortium was able to identify common patterns as well as unique perspectives, which played a crucial role in defining the direction of the project.
Based on this collective analysis, partners worked together to define the core values that will guide the development of the CIVIKO board game. Discussions focused on how the game can effectively address democratic engagement, critical thinking, and active participation in a way that is both meaningful and engaging for students. The aim was not only to create an educational tool, but also to design an experience that encourages reflection, dialogue, and interaction.
Following this, all partners introduced their initial board game concepts, which had been prepared in advance. These ideas varied in structure, mechanics, and storytelling approaches, offering a wide range of creative perspectives. Through open discussions, feedback sessions, and collaborative evaluation, the consortium explored the strengths and potential of each concept. This process allowed partners to refine their ideas and move closer to selecting and shaping the final direction of the CIVIKO board game.
Beyond the working sessions, the meeting also provided a valuable space for strengthening collaboration, exchanging ideas, and building a shared vision for the upcoming phases of the project. The energy and commitment of the partners highlighted the strong foundation on which CIVIKO will continue to grow.
This meeting in Niš represents a key milestone in the project, setting the stage for the co-creation and development of a board game that aims to empower students to actively engage in democratic life. The next steps will focus on further developing the selected concept and transforming it into a concrete, interactive learning tool.
CIVIKO is a European project that transforms democratic participation into a game-changing experience for young people!
What’s it all about?
The project aims to boost youth democratic participation through innovative educational tools, most notably a brand-new board game that makes learning about democracy exciting, interactive, and fun!
What will we do?
* Create tools that make democratic education more inclusive and accessible.
* Train youth workers across Europe in using games for civic learning.
* Raise awareness about youth participation through playful, creative campaigns.
* Promote active citizenship in local communities.
CIVIKO is implemented between 01.11.25 & 31.10.27 in Italy, Estonia, Greece, Serbia, Portugal and Belgium. It is co-financed by the EU. Because democracy should never be boring, it should be a game everyone can play, and win!