From 22 to 28 September 2025, we took part in Play for Change: Youth Goals through Game Design, an Erasmus+ youth exchange in Wieleń, Poland.
The project was designed for young people aged 18 to 25 and focused on the EU Youth Goals, inclusion, diversity and active participation. Instead of approaching these topics only through discussions, participants learned how to use games as educational tools.
What was Play for Change about?
Play for Change explored how games can be used to learn and talk about topics that affect young people.
Participants learned about gamification and game-based learning. They then used these methods to create their own educational games and activities.
The topics behind the games included the EU Youth Goals, inclusion and diversity, intercultural learning, active participation and solidarity.
The project also encouraged the participation of young people with fewer opportunities or little previous experience with international projects.
What did the week actually look like?
The seven-day programme moved from playing games to designing and testing new ones.
On the first day, participants got to know each other and created player avatars and mission cards. The group also completed an outdoor escape game based on the EU Youth Goals.
The next part of the programme looked more closely at the Youth Goals. Participants worked in a Youth Goals Laboratory and took part in In My Shoes, a simulation game about inclusion and diversity in everyday life.
Other sessions explored what happens when games have unclear rules. Participants tested games, discussed their instructions and looked at how existing games could be adapted to explore culture.
Language games were also part of the programme.
Later in the week, participants moved into the Game Design Lab. They developed their ideas, created prototypes and prepared them for testing.
The programme finished with a Game Testing Festival, where participants played the newly developed games and gave each other feedback.
How did participants create their own games?
Game design was one of the main practical parts of the youth exchange.
Participants first experienced different games themselves. They looked at their rules, instructions and learning purpose.
They then started developing their own ideas.
During the Game Design Lab, participants worked on creating educational games connected to the topics of the project. The next stage was prototyping.
Once prototypes were ready, the games were tested by other participants.
Feedback from the group gave participants a chance to see what worked, what was confusing and what could be changed.
This process took the group from playing an educational game to understanding how one can be built.
Which topics were covered through the games?
The activities connected game design with issues young people encounter in their communities.
The EU Youth Goals were one of the main topics. Participants first explored what the Youth Goals are and then worked with them through games and other activities.
Inclusion and diversity were explored through simulation.
Intercultural learning was connected to games about culture and language.
Active participation and solidarity were also included in the programme.
Participants therefore had to think about both sides of the activity: what makes a game work and what people should learn from playing it.
Where did participants stay in Poland?
Participants stayed at Centrum Trzy Jeziora in Wieleń.
What did it cost to take part?
Participants were reimbursed for their travel costs according to the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator. The project followed the Erasmus+ guidelines for the mobility.
Who could take part in Play for Change?
The youth exchange was designed for young people aged 18 to 25.
Participants were expected to be interested in diversity, social inclusion, intercultural education and active participation.
At least a basic level of English was required because the activities were conducted in English.
The project particularly encouraged applications from young people with fewer opportunities and those with little previous experience in international projects.
Group leaders were required to be over 25 and able to communicate in English so they could support their national groups when needed.
Who hosted the project?
The project was hosted by Fundacja Centrum Aktywności Twórczej, CAT Foundation, from Poland.
CAT works with young people through Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, volunteering, international projects and local activities.
The main facilitator was Karolina Kosowska (Karo), a youth worker and international trainer with 15 years of professional experience in youth work.
She was joined by co-facilitator Anouar Rejeb, a youth worker, trainer and project coordinator at CAT Foundation.
What did participants take home from the project?
By the end of the week, participants had gone through the full process of exploring, adapting, designing, prototyping and testing educational games.
They also spent the week working with topics such as the EU Youth Goals, inclusion and active participation.
The final programme included reflection and evaluation activities. Participants also worked with Youthpass to identify what they had learned during the exchange.
The games created during the project gave the groups something concrete that came directly from the activities in Wieleń.
How can you join the next YFCH youth exchange?
Youth for Change regularly sends young people from North Macedonia to Erasmus+ youth exchanges in different European countries.
Each project has its own age requirements and participant profile. Play for Change, for example, was designed for participants aged 18 to 25.
Before applying, check the dates, age requirements, topic and participant profile in the open call.
Want to join one of our next projects? Check the Youth for Change website for new opportunities or contact us at contact@yfch.org.
Erasmus+ Programme
of the European Union
