On the ladder

On the Ladder is a participatory role-playing activity that helps young people explore different levels of youth participation in democracy and community life. The game is based on the “ladder of participation” model, which shows how participation can range from manipulation and tokenism to genuine involvement and shared decision-making. Through discussion and reflection, players examine the barriers and opportunities that affect their ability to participate actively in society.

Players work in small groups and are assigned different levels of participation from the ladder model, which they present through short role plays that demonstrate how participation works in real-life situations. After the performances, participants reflect on their own experiences of participation in areas such as school, clubs, family, and community life. They then discuss what helps or prevents young people from becoming more involved and organize these ideas into categories showing which factors are within their control and which are external obstacles. The activity ends with a group discussion about democracy, responsibility, and ways to increase active participation in everyday life.