CONNEXT for inclusion

The problem of early school leaving among young people with a migration background is being tackled in an ESF project with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki) and the Municipality of Karlstad (Sweden). The project aims to strengthen confidence in the school and society among this target group through (the development of) Serious Urban Games.

Research theme: Participation in practice

Field of interest: Education; People and Society

Duration: 1/10/2018 - 30/09/2021

Financing: ESF+

Artevelde University College works with Finnish and Swedish partners to increase labor market opportunities and reduce dropout rates among young people with a migration background.

From Flanders we will draw up and roll out a group method for young people in the form of a serious urban game, aimed at strengthening their belief in the school system and their own future. This method also aims to respond to the autonomous motivation of young people according to the self-determination theory by responding to their basic psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness and competence. This group method will be drawn up in co-creation with young people, teachers, CLBs, youth welfare work, leisure actors, parents, ... GameWise's expertise in co-creative labs and the development of games in a participatory manner will be used for this.

The part in Finland focuses on community work from sports associations, aimed at migrant youth. In Sweden they work on networking, mentorship, peer support and applying the ReACT model to young refugees. This project is realized in collaboration with other stakeholders: young people, parents, teachers, supporters and experts. The result will be a new Serious Urban Game®, available from the end of 2020. This game can be freely used in education and civil society after following an online training.

Partners are the young Ghent social organization GameWise, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki, Finland) and the Municipality of Karlstad (Sweden) with whom we work together to increase labor market opportunities and prevent school drop-out among young people with a migration background.