Erasmus+ youth exchange program "Digital skills through Game design"
MAIN GOAL: To help the participants understand the basics of game design. During the youth exchange, the participants will learn to create their own game step by step.
DATES: 20.10.2024. – 28.10.2024.
PARTNERS:
- “Riga TechGirls”, Latvia,
- “ASOCIACIJA TAVO EUROPA“, Lithuania,
- “Targa Töö Ühing”, Estonia,
- Asociația “MULTIKULTI”, Romania,
- “MATAROA”, Greece
DESCRIPTION:
According to a study conducted by IGDA (International Game Developers Association) during the years of 2014 all the way
to 2021, the video game industry is composed of 61% of men, 30% of women and only 8% of non-binary.
Our youth exchange had four main objectives:
1. To attract a diverse group of participants, including those from different cultural, socioeconomic, and educational
backgrounds, genders, and abilities. This will promote diversity and inclusivity in the field of game design.
2. To reduce barriers to access, such as financial constraints or lack of prior experience. This will help ensure that all
participants have an equal opportunity to learn and develop knowledge and skills in game design.
3. To empower underrepresented groups in the field of game design, such as women, people with disabilities, or people from
disadvantaged backgrounds. It will help promote diversity and inclusivity in the field and create more opportunities for
underrepresented groups.
4. To promote social cohesion by bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds and promoting mutual
understanding and respect.
RESULTS:
The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project, “Digital Skills through Game Design,” was created to help young people develop essential digital competencies through the process of game creation. The learning process was based on non-formal and informal education methods. Activities were prepared in a dynamic and educational manner in a multicultural environment, through which participants were able to learn useful skills and insights in the game development industry and the basics of game design. As part of the youth exchange program, diverse groups of participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, and Greece were attracted, promoting mutual dialogue about different cultures, socio-economic and educational fields, origins, genders, and abilities. In total the project had 14 participants with reduced financial restrictions, cultural differences, and social conditions, providing equal opportunities for all participants to learn and develop new knowledge, skills in game design. The composition of the participants was gender-balanced, in total there were: 18 females, 16 males, and 1 participant who did not want to indicate his gender. It provided diversity and the opportunity to learn for different groups of society. During the youth exchange, by gathering participants from different backgrounds, mutual respect, empathy and understanding were promoted by cooperating together in various activities and bonding events.
The group acquired foundational and advanced digital skills by engaging with technologies used in game design (e.g., coding, graphic design, and storytelling tools). The project helped to bridge the digital division by providing access to tools, training, and resources for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Working in teams to design games showed participants the importance of collaboration, communication, and project management. This project transformed youth by integrating modern technology with traditional non-formal learning methods, creating opportunities for:
- Personalized, hands-on learning experiences.
- Building stronger connections between participants.
- Equipping young people with new skills to address evolving digital challenges.
Through these efforts, the project fostered a forward-thinking, inclusive, and empowered generation.
Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “Digital Skills through Game Design”
Project No. 2023-1-LV02-KA152-YOU-000148544
Co-financed by the European Union. This publication reflects the views and opinions only of the author and does not reflect the views of the European Union, the European Commission or the National Agency, which are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
