Level Up: Gamification in Youth

13.09 – 20.09.2025
Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Spain

Event summary

What if learning didn’t feel like studying, but like an adventure? What if we could unlock the creativity and energy of young people through games? Welcome to our training course on Gamification in Youth Work, where we turn game mechanics into tools for empowerment and education. We’re inviting youth workers, educators, NGO staff, youth leaders, and gamification enthusiasts to join us in Spain for 9 days of discovery, inspiration, and play.

We’ll talk about how to use gamification to boost motivation, improve learning outcomes, and foster active participation. From building engaging narratives to designing inclusive challenges, we’ll explore how games and playful methods can become powerful educational tools. If you’re ready to turn your youth work into a dynamic, engaging and future-ready experience, then this is your moment. Join a group of creative changemakers from across Europe and let’s level up our skills together! Everything is based on non-formal education, so expect hands-on learning and real-life examples.

We’ll also reflect on mental well-being, inclusion, communication, and group dynamics, always through a lens of creativity and fun. You’ll learn how to adapt game-based learning for different needs and backgrounds, and how to manage real-life practicalities with playfulness and intention. We believe that sharing tools and ideas is the key to growing stronger as a community of youth workers. So, if you’re ready to move beyond traditional methods and dive into a more dynamic way of learning, this training is your next step.

Join us to level up your skills, discover new ways of working with young people, and turn gamification into your new educational superpower.

 

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission Erasmus+ programme. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Attention!
Just a heads-up! Early September in the Madrid region can still be quite warm and sunny. Be prepared!

International Training Course

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Where you'll be staying

Venue & Location

The training will take place in Fresnedillas de la Oliva, a small town nestled in the Madrid mountains, just 1 hour from Madrid. Surrounded by nature, with hills, trails and endless views, it’s a perfect setting to disconnect from stress and reconnect with people, creativity, and fresh ideas. We’ll be staying in a cozy rural complex where nature and calmness meet. This place offers a peaceful atmosphere and enough space for outdoor sessions, reflective moments, and team-building games. Expect green landscapes, quiet starry nights, and the chance to explore nearby forests or simply relax with others in a serene environment. It’s the ideal setting for learning through experience and sharing under the open sky. Place includes:
  • Room for up to 30 people with 9 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms.
  • For some free-time fun: table football and ping pong
  • A dedicated meeting room for our workshops and brainstorming sessions.
  • Very cozy seminar room and terrace
  • Outdoor area with a garden and BBQ
  • The surrounding area is perfect for activities like hiking.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at the same location every day and we are also providing vegetarian options! We truly believe that this is the perfect place to thoroughly enjoy the company of new-found friends, big healthy doses of clean fresh air, and participating in the planned activities. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a unique and picturesque part of Spain

Discover non-formal learning!

What can you expect?

The Program

We’ll start with games to break the ice and gradually move into exploring the power of gamification in learning processes. Throughout the program, you’ll dive into interactive workshops that explore game mechanics, player types, and how these elements can be applied in educational settings. You’ll engage in hands-on team challenges designed to spark creativity and cooperation, take part in outdoor learning experiences that encourage reflection, and join collaborative “idea labs” where you’ll co-design activities and future projects with other participants. This isn’t about simply playing board games (although we might do that too); it’s about discovering how motivation, reward systems, storytelling, and creativity can transform the way young people learn.

The Networking

You’ll be part of a vibrant group of around 30 people from five different countries, creating the perfect environment to connect with like-minded youth workers and educators in the middle of vast Spain forests, sounds like an adventure, doesn’t it? It’s common for the participants to stay in touch long after the event has finished that’s why we think this is your opportunity to share your experience, learn from others, and spark ideas for future Erasmus+ projects. As the days go by, you’ll naturally become part of an active international network, opening doors for future collaborations and friendships that often continue long after the project ends. It’s also an ideal way to join Youth Europa and work together with passionate youth workers who want to bring non-formal education to those who need it the most.

The unexpected

This training course isn’t a one-way learning experience, it’s a co-creation. Each participant brings something valuable to the table, and your input can shape the flow and impact of the program. Whether it’s proposing a game-based activity, sharing a creative tool, or suggesting a new perspective, your ideas are not only welcome but essential. We believe gamification thrives on collaboration, experimentation, and spontaneity, so come shape something memorable together.

Have fun while developing yourself!

Social program

Learning is serious business, but fun is fundamental. We’ll have social evenings to relax, laugh, and celebrate progress. There will be a mix of cultural activities, team games, movie nights, and of course, our famous Intercultural Night where you’ll get to taste food and traditions from each country. Expect music, dance, stories, and friendships that last beyond the project.

How to get to the event?

Travel

Participants must arrive on 13th of September and stay for the full duration of the event until 20th September 13th. The nearest airport is Madrid-Barajas (MAD). From there, we will provide detailed info on how to get to Fresnedillas de la Oliva. We will reimburse your travel expenses after the event, up to a certain limit depending on your country. Keep all original tickets and invoices.
Reimbursement limits per country:
  • Estonia: 395 EUR
  • Greece: 395 EUR
  • Sweden: 395 EUR
  • Spain: 0 EUR (local participants)

Please keep all your original tickets, boarding passes, and invoices – they are essential for reimbursement!

Meet the people behind Youth Europa!

Organisers

This project is organised by a team of passionate youth workers who believe in the power of playful learning and intercultural exchange. We’re experienced in Erasmus+ projects and always open to new ideas. You’ll meet trainers, facilitators and coordinators who are here to support, challenge and inspire you throughout the week. We can’t wait to welcome you in Spain and start this gamified adventure together!

Proof of participation

YouthPass Certificate

As a participant of this event, you will receive YouthPass – a certificate of non-formal education recognized all across Europe that allows you to describe what you have done and learned. On top of that, it can be a great way to stand out at a job interview or when applying to a university, not to mention the part where you get to show off to your friends:)

Send your application!

Deadline: 15.07.2025

Contact us

Ask us anything!

Frequently Asked Questions

This project is supported by Erasmus+ program. This enables us to keep the participation fee very low and even remove it for people who are in financial difficulties. We know it sounds too good to be true, feel free to check out the reviews:)

Not at all. We try to focus on non-formal learning methods. This means that all activities are interactive and you will usually work in groups.

Everyone who comes from the eligible countries and is 18 to 30 years old is welcome to apply. There are no prerequisites, we actually welcome people who have no prior experience at all. Also, this event is not political. We don’t care if you hold conservative or more liberal views. Just be friendly and cooperative, we’re all here to learn, make friends & have fun!

Click the “apply now” button below if the deadline has not passed. Fill the form and answer all the questions as sincerely as possible. We will get in touch with you if you have been selected. Make sure that @youtheuropa.org mails don’t go to your spam!:)

The participants are selected based on their motivation and interest in the topic. There is no catch, you just need to be sincere and honest in your application. Also, if you’re not selected in this project, it’s more likely that you get selected for the next ones. 

Questions such as this one will be answered by the organisers or your group leader. Don’t worry, we will help you find the best possible option!

We will cover your trip to and from the project destination. There are some limits that apply, this is based on your travel distance. These limits are mentioned in the information above. If you buy the tickets early enough, it’s common to get your travel 100% covered.

After the event, all participants will fill the reimbursement form where you will be asked to upload the travel cost documents (itinerary, boarding passes, invoices etc.). The reimbursement process usually takes between 1-2 months. Remember that we will help you on every step of the way.

Nope. You will not be forced to do anything that you’re not comfortable with. But it’s definitely a great place to step our of your comfort zone. This is going to be a journey in your personal development:)

No problem, get in touch with us and we will do our best to provide you some answers. You can do so by heading over to the contact page.

Overview

This is the draft schedule. Some of the activities can depend on weather and other unpredictable aspects. We will always let the participants know about the changes. 

Coming soon!

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