Empowering a Generation Through Play and Peace

Project Duration: December 2024 – November 2026

The “InnovatorsLab: Gen Z’s Game-Based Peace Building” project is an innovative, cross-border initiative aiming to transform the landscape of peacebuilding and conflict transformation education for Generation Z. By integrating interactive and game-based learning methodologies—particularly the use of escape rooms—the project responds to the evolving educational preferences of younger generations and seeks to make peace education more engaging, relevant, and impactful.

This initiative is driven by a consortium of partner organizations from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia, all of whom are committed to equipping youth workers and educators with modern tools and practices to engage Gen Z in meaningful peacebuilding efforts.

Kick-Off Meeting in Sofia

The project officially launched with a collaborative kick-off meeting held in Sofia, Bulgaria, where consortium members gathered to align their visions, refine objectives, and lay the groundwork for a two-year journey of innovation and impact. The meeting marked a strong start, offering space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and shared planning. It also set a clear foundation for the practical development and implementation of new educational tools that will reach youth across the participating countries.

E-Learning Platform and Educational Modules

A central feature of the project is the creation of an e-learning platform designed to support youth workers and educators in implementing game-based peacebuilding strategies. This platform will serve as a digital hub, connected to the official project website, offering:

• Secure user access via personal logins
  
• Educational modules with text, visuals, and integrated quizzes
  
• Multilingual support in English, Georgian, Armenian, Romanian, Turkish, and Bulgarian
  
• Tools to track user progress and evaluate learning outcomes
  

The platform is intended to be highly accessible, easy to navigate, and engaging for users, particularly those working directly with Gen Z in peacebuilding contexts. It will act as a repository for all digital tools and materials created throughout the project.

The educational content provided through the platform will be organized into six comprehensive modules, covering:

• Introduction
  
• Understanding Generation Z
  
• Principles of Game-Based Learning
  
• Creative Conflict Resolution Methods
  
• Case Studies and Best Practices
  
• Feedback and Evaluation Mechanisms
  

The modules will consist of approximately 120 pages of content, with careful use of imagery to support learning without overwhelming the material. The goal is to create practical, modular learning experiences that youth workers can apply in real-world settings.

Escape Room Methodology and PeaceCards

Another key component of the project is the development of a practical guide and tools for using escape room methodology as a form of experiential learning in peacebuilding. This includes the creation of Peace and Empathy Cards, interactive scenarios, and comprehensive design templates that allow youth workers to create their own thematic escape rooms tailored to their community contexts.

A guidebook titled “Practical Guideline: Integrating Escape Room Methodology into Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation” will provide step-by-step instructions, case studies, and adaptable frameworks to support youth workers in implementing this method. The methodology will be piloted, tested, and refined through training courses and job shadowing opportunities among partner countries.

Each consortium member will also establish a GenZPeaceLab, dedicated spaces where youth can engage in creative peace education using the newly developed tools.

Dissemination and Impact

To ensure the wide adoption and sustainability of the project’s outcomes, dissemination is integrated into every stage of the initiative. Activities will include:

• Public events and escape room showcases
  
• Monthly workshops both online and in-person
  
• National multiplier events in all partner countries
  
• A final international conference to present results and foster long-term collaboration
  

These efforts aim not only to share the project’s innovations but to foster a broader movement of youth-led peacebuilding across the region and beyond.

A New Vision for Peace Education

InnovatorsLab: Gen Z’s Game-Based Peace Building is not just a project—it’s a forward-thinking response to the needs of a new generation. By meeting young people where they are, using the tools and methods they connect with, this project seeks to inspire a wave of empowered, informed, and creative peacebuilders. From digital platforms to immersive learning environments, the tools developed will support youth workers in guiding Gen Z toward becoming agents of positive change in their communities.

The journey that began in Sofia marks the start of a transformative process—one that redefines how we teach, learn, and lead in the pursuit of peace.

We are happy and grateful to work in a diverse partnership for supporting peace building.

Partners:

• Sdruzhenie Alternativi International, coordinator of the project – Bulgaria

• YOUTH FOR PEACE AND EQUALITY – Georgia

• Nicea Culture and Education Association – Turkiye

• ARMENIAN PROGRESSIVE YOUTH NGO – Armenia

• ASOCIATIA SE POATE – Romania

The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, through the Capacity Building in Youth Action.