Escape the Rojc

Creative Youth Information Award category

Organisation

Association ZUM

Country

Croatia

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/udruga_zum/

Project link

General Overview

Escape the Rojc is a creative and immersive activity entirely designed and led by young people, for young people. Two dedicated young volunteers developed this unique game-based activity, combining escape room and treasure hunt methodologies to create an engaging and educational experience. The activity took place in the Rojc Community Centre, which houses over 200 associations, utilising the spaces of 7 organisations along with hallways and staircases to form a dynamic and interactive playing field.

Participants worked collaboratively to solve puzzles, follow clues, and complete tasks, all designed to simulate real-world challenges. The primary objective of the activity was to foster problem-solving, teamwork, and decision-making skills, while also promoting critical thinking, mathematical and analytical abilities, and experiential learning. The theme of the game focused on the European Parliament, aiming to inform and educate young participants about the importance of European Parliamentary elections and active citizenship.

The target audience for this activity was youth aged 15 to 30, regardless of their education, employment status, ethnicity, religion, gender, or orientation, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all. To enhance Eurodesk visibility, participants received informational leaflets alongside other promotional materials. After completing the game, they engaged in a debriefing session with facilitators, who shared valuable insights and advice on available programmes and opportunities for young people. The event was actively promoted on social media, where Eurodesk was highlighted as a supportive network empowering youth-led initiatives.

This activity demonstrated the power of youth creativity and initiative while promoting active citizenship, critical skills, and awareness of European opportunities.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

Escape the Rojc is an innovative game-based activity that combines two methodologies: escape room and treasure hunt. Designed by two young volunteers with support from a coordinator, the activity provided young participants with vital information about opportunities available through EU programmes, the importance of the European Parliament elections, and the need for active youth engagement in policymaking. The activity took place in the Rojc Community Centre, which houses over 200 organisations. It spanned five floors and involved seven rooms, with each team representing a parliamentary group (club of representatives) from the European Parliament, complete with a short explanation of the party’s stance. Teams had to solve one or more puzzles in each room to move forward. After solving a puzzle, participants received an envelope with clues and a map of the Rojc Community Centre, guiding them to their next destination. In addition to the rooms, hallways and staircases were also utilised, creating a highly immersive experience. This combination of escape room (where participants “escape” by solving challenges) and treasure hunt (where they follow clues to reach a final goal) exemplifies creativity and innovation in youth information. It offered an engaging and interactive way for young people to learn about EU programmes and opportunities, directly aligning with the Creativity/Innovation thematic category. Additionally, the activity addressed the Participation/Democracy category by educating and informing participants about the European Parliament elections through an interactive, game-based format. By taking on active roles within the game, participants gained a deeper understanding of political processes and the importance of youth participation in shaping policies.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

The Escape the Rojc had a significant impact on both young participants and the community. Designed and led by young volunteers, the activity empowered them to take ownership of the entire process, from conceptualising the activity to crafting all the puzzles and creating their own props. This hands-on involvement allowed the volunteers to unleash their creativity and further develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership.

For the young participants, the activity provided an engaging and interactive way to learn about the European Parliament, EU programmes, and the importance of active citizenship. Participants developed critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills by solving puzzles and working together in teams. They also gained insights into how political processes function and how they, as young citizens, can play an active role in shaping their futures.

On a community level, the activity contributed to increased awareness of opportunities available through Eurodesk and other EU programmes. It demonstrated the potential of innovative approaches, such as game-based learning, to make complex topics more accessible and engaging for young people. Furthermore, the activity utilised the Rojc Community Centre in a creative way, showcasing its diverse organisations and spaces, and strengthening the sense of community within this shared hub.

Feedback from participants highlighted how the activity was both fun and educational, leaving them feeling motivated and better informed about their role in society and the EU. By bridging education, creativity, and participation, Escape the Rojc created a lasting impact, inspiring young people to take initiative, engage with their community, and explore new opportunities on a European level.

This activity proved to be highly popular among young people, which led us to organise another Escape the Rojc in December as well as a separate Escape Room activity to meet the growing interest and demand.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

The activity emphasised reuse and sustainability by utilising existing spaces and materials within the Rojc Community Centre, avoiding the need for additional construction or disposable resources. Props and puzzles for the game were made using recycled or repurposed materials. To reduce paper waste, digital communication was prioritised for organising and promoting the event.