Advancing Sustainability - Our Workshops on Ecotopia Game Development

The Journey Begins: First Ecotopia Workshop Sparks Creative Ideas for Sustainability Game

On July 10-11, 2024, the first workshop of the Ecotopia - Sustainability Board Game project took place in Bulgaria, marking a significant step forward in the development of this educational and engaging tool to inspire young minds (ages 13-19) to embrace green practices and sustainable living while having a blast! Hosted by Get Involved, this collaborative event brought together young people, youth workers, and environmental experts to brainstorm and lay the foundation for the game’s content and structure.

The workshop focused on gathering feedback and ideas on how to create a board game that promotes sustainability and environmental awareness. Participants actively discussed the core principles of the game, including how to integrate recycling rules, sustainable city practices, and green living tips into the gameplay. This initial phase provided essential input for the creation of the game’s content, including categories such as paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, organic waste, and general waste.

Participants also explored various mechanics to make the game both fun and educational, ensuring it would engage young players while teaching them about critical environmental issues. The workshop concluded with a brainstorming session on the game's visual design and card layout, setting the stage for the next phases of development.

​This exciting adventure is powered by a strong collaboration between Team Greece: Eventures and Team Bulgaria: Get Involved Association, both committed to promoting sustainability through interactive education. The Ecotopia - Sustainability Board Game project is part of the Erasmus+ initiative under KA210-YOU - Small-scale partnerships in youth (Project Number: 2023-3-BG01-KA210-YOU-000173139), bringing together creative minds and young people to shape a greener future.

The event was a huge success, generating valuable insights and enthusiasm for the project. As we move forward, the feedback from this workshop will guide the game’s creation, ensuring that it not only raises awareness but also inspires youth to take action for a sustainable future.

​Successful Second Workshop in Greece for the Ecotopia Project

On October 15-16, 2024 our team from Get Involved partnered with Eventures in Athens for the second workshop of the Ecotopia - Sustainability Board Game project. This initiative, part of the Erasmus+ program, focuses on raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices among youth through interactive gameplay.

During the workshop, we made significant progress by reviewing the game prototype and finalizing key aspects of its development. The team tested the game’s functionality, adjusting the rules, number of cards, and players to ensure the game is both educational and engaging. We also explored different design options and agreed on a final design template that will make the game visually appealing and easy to play.

In addition to fine-tuning the game mechanics, we wrapped up the meeting by outlining the next steps, including translating the game into Bulgarian, Greek, and English. In the coming weeks, we will invite young people from our network to test the game and provide feedback, ensuring that it meets the expectations of its future players.

The workshop was a great success, and we are excited to continue developing Ecotopia into a tool that encourages youth to think critically about sustainability while having fun. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and the upcoming game launch!





*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.