Let's Play

The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

"Let’s Play" was an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange about games, gamification, and learning through play.

The main activity of the project took place in 9-17 July 2024 in Mezőberény, Hungary, bringing together 31 young people from Portugal, Italy, Greece, Estonia, and Hungary for a unique non-formal learning experience.

Why was this project created?

Games are a powerful tool for learning, connection, and self-development. Whether it’s board games, outdoor activities, or digital games, they can teach us collaboration, strategy, empathy, and resilience. "Let’s Play" was born out of the idea that games can be more than just fun — they can be a bridge to learning essential life skills and building stronger communities.

The project focused on games, gamification, and game-based learning. Participants explored how to use the elements of games to improve their key competences and soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Together, they played, created, and reflected on the deeper value of games in education and life.

Throughout the program, participants engaged in experiential games, workshops, interactive activities, and reflection sessions, and also had the opportunity to lead their own sessions. In addition to skill development, the program emphasized intercultural learning by creating a supportive and inclusive environment where participants could share their backgrounds and cultures.

"Let’s Play" not only strengthened participants’ skills but also encouraged creativity, empathy, and collaboration — all while having fun and learning more about themselves and each other.

Check out the daily Reels on Instagram!

Daily blog

Day 1

"The first day of the YE Let's Play couldn't have started better. After an energizing breakfast, participants engaged in a unique icebreaker: they walked in pairs to the park, discussing thought-provoking questions that delved into the depths of their personalities, such as "Are you a dog person or a cat person?"

In the park, it was time to set aside pronouns like "he," "she," or "they," and instead, learn each other's names. Who would have thought that saying someone's name could be such a powerful connection?

Before the participants began to melt under the sun, they returned to the conference room for a creative session where their drawing skills were put to the test. A single drawing can convey more than a thousand words, especially when you capture someone's essence by choosing a hat and shoes for them.

While gossip is usually discouraged, today's activity turned it into a positive experience where participants received heartfelt compliments from their group mates.

After a long and engaging morning, participants enjoyed a well-deserved lunch and rest time to recharge their energy.

The afternoon kicked off with a dynamic Portuguese workshop, where teams embarked on an adventure filled with challenges and triumphs. They tackled a series of creative, fun, and demanding tasks, with a twist: each participant faced the tasks with a unique condition simulating different types of physical limitations. These conditions fostered empathy, creativity, and teamwork. Participants felt the challenge of overcoming barriers but also the immense satisfaction of achieving what seemed impossible. It was inspiring to witness the cooperation, fun, and innovative thinking that emerged!

Rules may seem boring, but they are essential for maintaining a positive environment and mutual respect within the group. At the end of the day, participants came together to write and agree on a rules contract, ensuring a harmonious atmosphere.

The night was brought to life by Hungary's intercultural showcase! Participants savored Hungarian cuisine. They danced traditional dances and played a delightful kindergarten game, bringing joy and laughter to everyone.

It was a day packed with exciting activities, and not even the heat could slow down this amazing group!"

Day 2

"After waking up because of roosters, we had a delicious breakfast. At 10 AM, we attended the first workshop of the day, organized by a Greek girl. Participants worked in teams to complete tasks and answer questions related to Youthpass. 

Next, we learned about being game masters and the different types of gamers: strategists, daredevils, investigators, builders, adventurers, social players.

After lunch, local media visited our venue for an interview and to capture some video footage. Later, during the open stage session, Estonia presented a fascinating workshop about an average person from Estonia. The challenge was to guess their height and age by communicating only through messages with other participants.

After the workshop, we had a short break, and then the game masters of the day introduced various board games for us to choose and play. They had studied the rules of the games beforehand to explain them to us.

After playing, we had lunch at seven, and Estonia and Italy began preparing for the intercultural night. Both countries showcased their cultures through presentations, games and food. For instance, the Estonian team delivered a presentation about Estonian boulders.

After a long day, everyone danced and sang enjoying the first rain."

Day 3

"Let's play season 1 episode 3: 

We started the day with a surprise breakfast spread, and things only got more lit from there. We had an epic election for our representative body, where we got to elect someone to speak up for us to the organizers. It was like a real-life game of Risk, with alliances and power plays going down.

After that, we got transported to the Canadian North, where we had to survive a plane crash and figure out who among us was trying to sabotage our efforts. But spoiler alert: it was all just a simulation, and we ended up learning that sometimes our biggest threat is just our own paranoia. We also had some downtime to chill by the pool and play some fun games

The rest of the day was all about creativity and self-reflection. We brainstormed ideas for our upcoming games, had a team reflection where we shared our feelings through music and art, and even had an intercultural night with some delicious food and drinks from Greece and Portugal. To top it all off, we ended the night with some live music and dancing at our favorite bar. It's been an unforgettable experience so far, and I'm hyped to see what the rest of Let's Play has in store for us!"

Day 4

"Yesterday was a very fun and special day! In the morning, we had a Dance Energizer organized by the Joy Bringers of the day, complete with hugs at the end of the activity! After that, we focused on finishing our self-made board games, a project we began the day before.

After lunch, we went to Békéscsaba to host a game event and share our creations with the local community. We had the opportunity to meet new young people who enjoyed our games and gave us valuable feedback. There were also local journalists present, eager to capture this moment and share it with the wider community.

This experience was incredibly exciting and memorable."

Day 5

Showing our newly created board games to the youth of Békéscsaba!

Day 6

Day 7