Gamestorming is a free four-part virtual event series exploring how digital and gamified methods can promote inclusive, ethical, and community-driven social development. This session focuses on the question: How can gamified approaches strengthen democracy and youth participation? The program includes keynote talks on gamification, collaborative ideation around future opportunities, challenges and goals, as well as inspiring examples of real-life gamified experiments. New project ideas will be co-created during the workshop session.

2^nd Gamestorming Webinar

Playful Youth Participation – Democracy, Trends and Gamification

 

Date & Time: November 24^th 2025, 14:00–16:00 (Finland/ EET)
Format: Online webinar & networking workshop

Registration: https://bit.ly/Gamestorming2

 

Event Introduction

What is a story behind world-renowned MinecraftEdu? How can playfulness and gamified methods strengthen youth participation and inclusion? In this second Gamestorming webinar, we will talk about democracy in the classrooms, gamification and game elements, explore inspiring digital cases, identify emerging collaboration themes, and co-create future directions together. The session combines keynote input, hands-on co-creation in breakout groups, and case examples from across Europe.

 

Webinar program

14:00–14:05 | Welcoming words and introduction

• Opening words and framing of the session

14:05–14:10 | Presentation of the GameIN project

• Brief overview of aims and activities

14:10–14:40 | Keynote speech: Story behind MinecraftEdu – Games supporting democracy in the classrooms. Santeri Koivisto, Co-founder, MinecraftEdu

• Story of MinecraftEdu
• How games can support democracy at schools
• Real-life examples

14:40–15:00 | Expert talk: Dimensions of inclusion and participation – Strengthening practices through game elements and mechanics. Game pedagogy specialist, Sonja Hämäläinen, Youth Academy

• A look into the dimensions and practices of inclusion and participation
• How playful and gamified elements can support youth work
• Demonstration: Tabletopiaexample

15:00–15:40 | Collaborative workshop: Finding future themes & trends
Breakout rooms with Mural

• GameIN survey results – Needs and hot topics in digital and gamified youth participation
• Discussion in the groups: Identifying emerging needs of the future youth participation and inclusion
• Highlighting key themes to guide future collaboration

15:40–15:55 | Case Studies from Europe: Inclusive & Gamified Practices

• GameIN project case examples: Gamified and digital youth participation in practice
• Introducing digital and gamified methods for youth participation

15:55–16:00 | Wrap-up and next session preview

• Key takeaways from the session
• Outlook on next Gamestorming Event

 

Please register for the November webinar here https://bit.ly/Gamestorming2 

 

Webinar series info:

1. New Technologies for Social Impact
   • September 4^th, 2025 – Best practices & case studies on how digital tools drive social change (GameIN project)
   • Setting the stage for collaboration in youth participation and inclusion
   • Hosted by Estonian National Youth Council, Estonia
2. Playful Youth Participation – Democracy, Trends and Gamification
   • November 24^th, 2025 – Gamified methods for youth engagement & digital participation.
   • Identifying emerging needs of the future youth participation and inclusion
   • Hosted by Tampere University and Youth Academy, Finland
3. From Invitation to Belonging: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Event Design
   • January 22^nd, 2026 –Designing youth sector inclusive events
   • EXTRA: Introducing GameIN Method Bank
   • Formulating new project ideas for European youth sector
   • Hosted by Youth Power, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Future of Youth Participation & Designing Project Ideas
   • March 26^th, 2026 – Logical framework to develop project ideas linked to webinar themes
   • Turning collaboration ideas into practice within the network
   • Hosted by Libera Palermo, Italy