New Ways of Participation for Youth
Gamification, co-creation, and digital tools shaping youth engagement
How can youth participation evolve in a digital, post-pandemic Europe? At the MC-YOU conference “New Ways of Participation for Youth,” policy experts, practitioners, and local authorities came together to explore innovative approaches to youth engagement at the intersection of mental health, civic participation, and digital transformation.
Building on the experience of the MC-YOU project, the session showcased how digital co-creation and gamification — including the use of Minecraft — can create meaningful spaces for dialogue between young people, educators, and policymakers. The discussion moved beyond traditional consultations, focusing instead on co-creation, empowerment, and long-term impact.
Key Insights from the Speakers
Lana Pasic (Council of Europe) highlighted that meaningful youth engagement must go beyond listening exercises. The upcoming Youth Policy Framework 2024–2030 places young people as equal partners in decision-making, with key trends including:
- Youth participation embedded across all policy areas
- Strong links between well-being, mental health, and civic engagement
- Digital citizenship and inclusive online participation
- Gamified tools (e.g. Minecraft, simulations) as spaces for democratic practice
Jonas Deitert (MC-YOU Training Toolkit) demonstrated how Minecraft enables young people to build their vision for resilient cities:
- Gamification makes policy challenges tangible and emotionally engaging
- Toolkits help educators translate real urban issues into creative missions
- Ownership and motivation increase when youth design solutions themselves
Plamen Todorov (Municipality of Sandanski) reflected on local realities:
- Limited institutional capacity and coordination
- Engagement fatigue and bureaucratic barriers
- Demographic decline affecting youth participation
He stressed the importance of simple engagement mechanisms, micro-grants, and local intermediaries such as schools and NGOs.
Giuseppe Romeo (CESIE) shared lessons from piloting MC-YOU:
- Local adaptation is essential
- Youth–policymaker partnerships must be structured, not symbolic
- Digital participation works best when combined with offline follow-up
- Impact should be measured by quality, not just participation numbers
What Needs to Change? Key Recommendations
At policy level
- Institutionalise co-creation and co-decision-making
- Integrate youth perspectives into long-term strategies
- Reduce bureaucracy through accessible micro-funding
In practice
- Use gamified digital tools as structured policymaking environments
- Work with NGOs, schools, and CSOs as trusted connectors
- Reach underserved communities through local participation hubs
- Combine digital and in-person participation formats
For capacity & impact
- Measure empowerment, influence, and civic learning outcomes
- Invest in youth worker and educator training
- Close the feedback loop so youth see real policy impact
Why It Matters
The session reaffirmed a core MC-YOU message:
Youth participation is not an add-on – it is essential for resilient, democratic futures.
When young people are trusted as co-creators and supported with the right tools, participation becomes meaningful, sustainable, and impactful.