Discover Europe! (virtual escape game)

Eurocentrum Pardubice

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Organisation:

Eurocentrum Pardubice

Country:

Czech Republic

About organisation:

Eurocentrum Pardubice is governmental organisation and information point where it is possible to gain many datas about the European Union, its history, function, politics, member states, symbols, EU funds and EU institutions career. Organisation is also multiplier of the Eurodesk network, so its working is focused on organizing of many information activities about the opportunities for young people. Eurocentrum organizes free seminars, debates, conferences, competitions and quizes about the EU topics for pupils, students, public and other special or professional groups. Eurocentrum is accessible for all citizens, it offers many types of brochures, educational documents and books. It cooperates with regional partners like the University of Pardubice, primary and secondary schools, municipalities, offices, EURES, Europe Direct Pardubice and non-governmental and non-profit young organisations. Eurocentrum is located in the city of Pardubice and it operates the Pardubice region.

Contact person:

Lucie Boukalova

Title of the project

Discover Europe! (virtual escape game)

Start date:

June 9, 2023

End date:

June 30, 2023

Source of funding:

The main source of funding was largely own resources of the organisation, brochures, educational factsheets and documents about the EU, quizes, promotional materials of the organisation (pens, pencils, notebooks, mugs, sunglasses, key rings, bookmarks) and Eurodesk promotional materials or goodies. Own resources were used for printing of posters, leaflets and purchasing of special prizes for the first three winners - card escape games titled Robbery in Venice. Winners were chosen by random draw.

Objectives:

The aim of this project-escape game is looking for the code number that helps 13-30 years old young people to open suitcase, go to Europe and discover the European member states, adventures and experiences. Participants can get to know lots of interesting facts about member states and opportunities as well as the European projects within EU. The game is launched in virtual student´s room where is needed to gather clues through different tasks. Every task is connected with concrete European project (Erasmus+ Young Exchange, DiscoverEU, European Solidarity Corps and international volunteering, Solidarity Projects, EU Institutions Traineeships and Career) or Erasmus+ priorities (How to travel eco-logically? It means travelling by ecological means of transport, green accommodation in young hostels, saving water, no plastic products, travelling with small backpack etc. Information about EURODESK site is also part of this activity. Each of the tasks is hidden under the subject in the room (map of the Europe continent, notebook, backpack, sunglasses, mobile phone, books, camera, shoes). Activities are targeted on the European history, flags, languages, traditional dishes, personalities, monuments or presidency of Sweden in the EU through quiz, crossword, timeline or finding pairs. Finally, it is possible to gain the unique code number and send answers. Many special tools or applications were used for realization this project-Google Sites, Google Forms, LearningApps, Kahoot, Canva.

Why does it correspond to the thematic category:

Virtual/Online escape game is a unique and original way of finding out datas about diversity of the European Union and many opportunities for young people. Gamification is a modern and funny part of the informal educational methods. The main target group is managed to use this tool and it has wide educational impact, too. Digitization is one of the priorities of the Erasmus+ programme 2021 - 2027. Information about EURODESK site is also part of this iniciative. Only digital tools were used in this project - QR code, different types of applications, game elements, email communication. Further, many game elements were incorporated, for example quiz, crossword, timeline or finding pairs through different types of digital applications like Google Sites, Google Forms, LearningApps, Kahoot, Canva.It covers and demonstrates creativity and innovative way of raising awareness about European opportunities for young people.Due to facts above, the thematic category of Creative Youth Information was chosen.

The impact the initiative had on young people and the local community:

Due to the long-term functioning of the Eurocentrum Pardubice and the cooperation with local schools and universities, the escape game was promoted relatively easily. Eurocentrum Pardubice organized a large number of seminars, debates and workshops on the topic of European opportunities during this period because it is the period before the school holidays and teachers and students are therefore very interested in this topic. In the course of these activities, the escape game was also promoted and thanks to this a large number of young people implemented the escape game. After the end of the competition, interest in further discussions and workshops increased significantly in the new school year, the organisation thus successfully continues in organizing its information activities. More young people are also interested in the possibilities of trips abroad and European mobility opportunities as well as they are interested in European mobility consultations. Eurocentrum Pardubice has established active cooperation with the EURES network and non-profit organisations where the escape game was also promoted. Non-profit organisations are interested in volunteering opportunities in terms of the European Solidarity Corps. Due to this fact, Eurocentrum Pardubice ​contributes to the support of young people to become active citizens and its activities have positive impact on the local community.

How it ensured the visibility and promotion of Eurodesk:

The visibility of this project was ensured on the official website of the organisation and Eurodesk network Czech Republic. Link, information pack and poster were also published on the social networks - Facebook Eurocentrum Pardubice and Eurodesk Pardubicky kraj. The iniciative was promoted via email sent to teachers, professors or coordinators of primary and secondary schools, universities, non-governmental organisations and educational centres. Further, leaflets were distributed to students and 13 - 30 years old young people during seminars, debates, conferences and markets that were organized by main organisation (Eurocentrum Pardubice) or other regional partners (schools, universities, young organisations, centres).Sharing on the social networks was very successful, too.Logotype of Eurodesk network was a part of the official poster and website of the project.Eurocentrum Pardubice organized a large number of seminars, debates and workshops on the topic of European opportunities during this period, so the escape game was promoted largely on behalf of the EURODESK network.The project also contains more information about Eurodesk network and its function, mission, activities.

How it respected the green principles:

Eurodesk green principles are respected in this project thanks to online space and tool of digitization. The project was communicated with regional schools, universities, non-governmental and non-profit organisations and educational centres through sending poster and information pack about this project via email. Only digital tools were used in this project - QR code, different types of applications, game elements, email communication. In case of taking part in the European Day or activities of the University of Pardubice, further during organizing of seminars and debates for local young people, only limited amount of leaflets was printed. These materials were distributed to target group of 13-30 years. One of the topic of this iniciative is sustainability because there are many information about ecological way of transport, travelling by train and using local transport, green accommodation in young hostels or camps, saving water, using no plastic products, travelling with small backpack, participating in development of local communities, volunteering, etc. Winners of this escape game were gifted by Eurodesk promotional materials and goodies with positive ecological impact because these subjects contain many information about climate change and ecological principles. This project is the evidence in providing greener youth information services.

The aim of this project-escape game is looking for the code number that helps 13-30 years old young people to open suitcase, go to Europe and discover the European member states, adventures and experiences. Participants can get to know lots of interesting facts about member states and opportunities as well as the European projects within EU. The game is launched in virtual student´s room where is needed to gather clues through different tasks. Every task is connected with concrete European project (Erasmus+ Young Exchange, DiscoverEU, European Solidarity Corps and international volunteering, Solidarity Projects, EU Institutions Traineeships and Career) or Erasmus+ priorities (How to travel eco-logically? It means travelling by ecological means of transport, green accommodation in young hostels, saving water, no plastic products, travelling with small backpack etc. Information about EURODESK site is also part of this activity. Each of the tasks is hidden under the subject in the room (map of the Europe continent, notebook, backpack, sunglasses, mobile phone, books, camera, shoes). Activities are targeted on the European history, flags, languages, traditional dishes, personalities, monuments or presidency of Sweden in the EU through quiz, crossword, timeline or finding pairs. Finally, it is possible to gain the unique code number and send answers. Many special tools or applications were used for realization this project-Google Sites, Google Forms, LearningApps, Kahoot, Canva.