Project
We are a partnership of six NGOs working in rural areas across Europe and the Eastern Partnership countries, united by a shared mission to strengthen grassroots youth work and increase the meaningful participation of young people in rural communities. Drawing on our collective experience, we address one of the most persistent challenges in rural youth work: low engagement and limited access to innovative, high-quality non-formal learning opportunities.
Our project focuses on empowering rural youth and youth workers by combining proven non-formal education (NFE) methodologies with thoughtfully designed gamification tools. Rather than replacing existing youth work practices, we aim to enhance them—making learning more engaging, participation more consistent, and involvement more rewarding. Through playful, transparent, and structured digital tools, young people can track their progress, celebrate achievements, collaborate with peers, and stay motivated while learning about issues that matter to them and their communities.
At the heart of our work is the development of a comprehensive digital platform, including a gamified NFE grassroots curriculum, an accessible gamification tool, and a free open online course for youth workers. This platform will allow youth workers and young people to register, form groups, participate in activities, and follow their learning journey through elements such as milestones, progress tracking, and collaborative challenges. Importantly, it will also enable the inclusion of young people who face geographical distance or limited access to physical youth spaces—an essential asset for rural youth work.
By bringing together partners from six countries, our partnership fosters cross-border cooperation, peer learning, and the exchange of best practices. Together, we build the capacity of youth organizations, improve the quality and recognition of youth work, and support the inclusion of young people facing economic, social, or geographical barriers. Our work aligns closely with Erasmus+ priorities, the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027, and key EU Youth Goals, particularly those related to moving rural youth forward, ensuring quality learning, and creating space and participation for all.
Ultimately, we strive to create sustainable, open-access tools that youth organizations across Europe can continue to use long after the project ends. By integrating gamification into grassroots youth work in a meaningful and values-based way, we aim to boost engagement, strengthen rural communities, and empower both youth and youth workers to learn, connect, and thrive—while fully respecting and promoting EU values such as democracy, human rights, equality, inclusion, and freedom.
