Job Shadowing in İznik: Exploring Game-Based Approaches to Peacebuilding

2026-08-09 17:35

From 17–23 April 2026, NICEA Culture and Education Association hosted a job shadowing activity in İznik, Bursa, Türkiye, as part of the “InnovatorsLab: Gen Z's Game-Based Peace Building” project. The activity brought together representatives from partner organisations in Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia and Romania.

The week focused on strengthening youth workers’ skills in game-based learning, communication, intercultural dialogue and Erasmus+ project management. Participants explored how creative and participatory methods can be used to engage young people and support dialogue and peacebuilding.

A central part of the programme was the practical development of a mini escape room. Participants worked together to design the game and later tested it with children during visits to Kadir Koyutürk Primary School and İznik TOBB Kindergarten. They also explored the project’s Peace and Empathy Cards and discussed how these tools can be adapted to different age groups and educational contexts.

The programme went beyond formal training. Through a Speaking Club with local youth and a volleyball match, participants had opportunities to connect with the local community, introduce the project and experience how informal activities can create spaces for communication and intercultural exchange.

One of the key lessons from the activity was the adaptability of game-based learning. Although the project primarily focuses on Gen Z, the experience in İznik demonstrated that escape rooms and similar methodologies can successfully engage younger children when the language, rules and complexity are appropriately adapted.

Overall, the activity reached approximately 80 children and 22 additional local participants and provided visiting youth workers with practical experience they can transfer to their own organisations and communities. It also strengthened cooperation and knowledge exchange between project partners and contributed to the wider goal of using innovative, game-based approaches to foster empathy, dialogue and peacebuilding.