Helping young people discover the power of democratic participation.
Let’s Vote was an Erasmus+ project dedicated to encouraging young people to engage more actively in democratic life. Together with our European partners, we explored how non-formal education and gamification can help make complex topics such as voting, elections and civic participation more accessible, relevant and engaging for young people.
The project brought together youth workers and young people to develop practical educational tools that encourage critical thinking, informed decision-making and active citizenship. By promoting dialogue, participation and a better understanding of democratic processes, Definition aimed to strengthen young people’s confidence in their ability to shape the communities and societies they live in.
About the project
The many political crises in Europe highlights the need for a strong and dynamic democracy in which the voice of everyone is expressed, heard and respected. Whenever election time comes in European countries, many feel powerless to change anything and do not realise the potential for change that they hold when casting their vote.
Young people especially are disconnected from traditional political parties and politicians and there is a certain degree of defiance and distrust that leads to low turn out at voting sites. the predominant choice of first time voters, young people over 18, is abstentionism. Though there is a little higher interest when it comes to local and presidential elections, young people lack understanding when it comes to the importance of electing regional or European representatives. But that does not mean that young people are not interested in politics. In fact, most of them do have an elaborate political opinion about the organisation of our societies but the results of their disengagement from civic life is that, radical political discourse is more frequently heard and does not encounter a strong opposition.
As a result, more extreme and nationalist ideas creeps in the public place when extremist are elected by a minority of active voters who are educated to the power of voting and are encouraged to take to the urns. Because of this phenomenon, society gets polarized more and more, which in turn create more and more discrimination and inequality that can unfortunately lead to violence.
The Choice – A Role Play Game
Set in a fictional town, the game invites players to take on different roles within the community. Each player pursues their own secret objective while working together to improve the life of the town. Along the way, they experience cooperation, negotiation and the complexity of balancing individual interests with the common good.
The game concludes with the election of a new mayor, where every player has the opportunity to present their vision, convince others and experience first-hand how democratic decision-making works in practice
CIRKUS LA BULLE · DRUŠTVO CIK 