Between 20–23 May 2026, four youth workers from Monomyths took part in the EduPlay Training Course, hosted by FECE in Varna, Bulgaria. The activity brought together 17 youth workers from Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Slovakia, and Hungary, all eager to explore how gamification can enhance youth work and non-formal education.
The training created a dynamic and interactive learning environment where participants exchanged practices, tested innovative educational tools, and developed new competencies in the fields of youth participation, media literacy, democracy, and environmental sustainability.
The first day focused on getting to know each other, building a safe learning space, and sharing expectations and contributions. Participants were introduced to the Youthpass Certificate and its role in recognizing learning outcomes gained through non-formal education. During the partner organization presentations, Monomyths showcased its work and ongoing commitment to empowering young people through both local initiatives and international mobility projects.
Over the following days, participants engaged in gamified and experiential learning activities. They developed fictional youth worker personas, reflected on daily challenges in youth work, and explored creative methods for addressing media literacy topics. Through role-play and interactive exercises, they worked on understanding concepts such as misinformation, disinformation, filter bubbles, and deepfakes.
The programme also addressed democratic participation, EU values, and climate awareness. Participants tested educational games focused on debate, decision-making, and sustainability, gaining practical tools that can be adapted in their own local contexts.
A key highlight of the training was the intercultural evenings, where participants shared traditions, food, music, and stories from their home countries. These moments strengthened intercultural understanding and built lasting connections between youth workers.
On the final day, participants worked in international teams to design educational game concepts and explored opportunities within the Erasmus+ Programme. The training concluded with reflection and evaluation sessions, supporting participants in identifying how to transfer newly acquired methods into their daily youth work practice.
Beyond the training activities, the group also had the chance to explore Varna and take part in the annual Night of Museums, adding a rich cultural dimension to the experience.
For the Romanian youth workers, EduPlay provided practical tools, inspiration, and new perspectives on using gamification in education.
“I discovered new and creative ways to engage young people through games and storytelling. This experience will directly influence how I design future activities.”
The EduPlay Training Course was funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
