DystoLARP is an Erasmus+ project (2025–2027) that uses Live Action Role-Playing — known as LARP — to teach young people about democracy, EU values, and active citizenship. The DystoLARP Erasmus+ partnership is coordinated by Stowarzyszenie Liveform in Poland, with partners from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Sweden, Belgium, and Italy.
What is LARP, and why does it work?
LARP is a form of experiential learning in which participants assume roles and navigate fictional scenarios in real time. Unlike traditional civic education, it is immersive, interactive, and emotionally engaging. DystoLARP sets its scenarios in dystopian worlds — stories shaped by the erosion of democracy, environmental collapse, and social conflict. These are not abstract topics. They mirror the real challenges young Europeans face today.
As a result, young people aged 15 to 25 are encouraged to think critically about EU values, express themselves creatively, and develop the social and intercultural skills that matter for both active citizenship and the job market.
PROJECT PARTNERS
The project is coordinated by Stowarzyszenie Liveform (Poland). Partners include Zavod BOB (Slovenia), CVS (Bulgaria), Evocative Games (Sweden), EGLE (Belgium), and Euphoria Net (Italy).
WHAT THE PROJECT AIMS TO DO (OBJECTIVES)
Apart from the results (see below), the DystoLARP Erasmus+ project aims to make civic education more inclusive and accessible — specifically for young people with learning disorders, disabilities, or fewer opportunities. Furthermore, it aims to build a lasting European network of practitioners, educators, and organisations committed to innovative non-formal education.
WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON (RESULTS)
The project produces a full set of practical, ready-to-use resources:
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- A booklet on the use of dystopia in civic education
- A curriculum for integrating LARP into democratic and environmental education
- 9 ready-to-use dystopian LARP scenarios as model prototypes
- A Game Master guide for facilitating role-playing experiences
- A train-the-trainer report so youth workers can replicate the training
- 9 step-by-step tutorials for creating educational LARP scenarios
- An implementation guide for integrating LARP into non-formal education settings
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.
Project n° 2025-1-PL01-KA220-YOU-000364734