The ErasmusDays are a chance to showcase the amazing incredible concepts that have come from the Erasmus+ program. From exchange programs to targeted training and youth projects, the program in one way or another enables individuals to grow, learn, and travel. But guess what? It is actually more than that! ErasmusDays provide a chance to interact and establish connections with the larger network of Erasmus+ participants, organizations, and sponsors.
When is ErasmusDays?
ErasmusDays typically take place over several days in October each year. This year marked the 8th edition of Erasmus Days,an event that lasted for six days, from October 14th to 19th. Slovakia is participating in this event for the sixth time this year. Last year many organizations and people made a significant impact in local communities, organizing 104 events across Slovakia. This year, Slovak Eco Quality also joined the ErasmusDays movement, providing the young people of Slovakia with entertaining and educational events. If you want to see all the awesome things organized by SEQ, keep reading.
Game testing in Žilina
In our Earth Games for Youth project, we’ve developed engaging educational games focused on sustainability, which we tried out in Žilina. Among these were:
- Game of the Oceans, a board game about ocean conservation, and Plastic-Free Europe, which challenges players to reduce plastic use.
- Huma-Natura Reflection Cards for self-reflection on our environmental impact
- A Coloring Book that promotes eco-friendly choices.
The whole event took place at the Foundation Land of Harmony organization. Their lovely people gave us helpful feedback while also giving us amazing vegan food and absolutely delicious roasted coffee.
SWAP in Nitra
Our next stop was a second hand store in the amazing city of Nitra. From the moment we arrived, we befriended the lovely people there. Sekáč je láska organized an incredible SWAP event. The event focused on sustainable fashion and eco-friendly living. Participants swapped clothes and learned about sustainability through interactive tools like coloring books and board games. People shared their thoughts on upcycling and community projects, resulting in meaningful conversations. The games provided by Slovak Eco Quality made sustainability education simple and pleasurable for everybody. Among these materials were:
- Sustainability Stickers: Vibrant stickers with straightforward environmental statements that are ideal for entertainingly raising awareness.
- Comic Book: A humorous comic book that makes sustainability relevant and simple to comprehend while introducing readers to eco-conscious living.
- Sustainable Fashion Card Game: card game that encourages players to consider the influence of their fashion choices in an interactive manner
- Coloring Book: This amazingly produced coloring book about eco-friendly practices is perfect for teaching children the value of protecting the environment
The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter and the smell of their incredible coffee and sweets. We are forever grateful for the lovely time we had there.
Dorm gameplay in Bratislava
The next thing was a small but cozy event in a dorm room in Bratislava. Friends came together to play the Fashion Empire game. The game combines strategic play with environmentally conscious themes to deliver a rewarding and difficult experience that is full of fun and education. We had an absolute blast playing the game. Everyone was strategizing in their own head, building their own fashion empire. We had unexpected twists, big laughs and a very joyous winner.
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Trenčianske Teplice HERE WE GO!
A few weeks ago, the SEQ team got together for a lovely game night to play Threads of Fortune: The Fashion Empire Game in the stunning Trencianske Teplice, Slovakia. We explored the game’s purpose which is to demonstrate how small choices in fashion can spark big change. It was interesting seeing how Threads of Fortune turned these serious subjects into an entertaining, engaging activity that helped us all comprehend the actual problems hidden in our closets. Alongside our team consisting of the president of SEQ, Gabriela and our game developer, Marco were leaders like our visionary COO, Katarina, and Jakub from Ecocapsule Slovakia. We had a fantastic time, blending laughter and light-hearted banter with some truly meaningful discussions.
Our lovely time in Komárno
As part of the 4F – Fast Fashion? Fast Forward! project, we hosted a game-testing session with young primary teachers in Komárno on October 19. We gave them two educational board games focused on sustainable fashion. One of them was Life Cycle of a T-Shirt, a fun, interactive game that illustrates the effects of rapid fashion, the other one Sustainable Me is Fashion, a self-reflective card game. Even though many of the teachers had no prior understanding of the subject, they were fully engaged. Some teachers had little to no experience with the subject but still, they were fully engaged. Some participants even shared their own experience with compulsive buying from e-shops. Playing Life Cycle of a T-Shirt sparked some interesting conversations. At the end participants started recognizing the effects of fast fashion and reconsidering their own shopping choices. Our event in Komárno showed us that games can be effective teaching and change-making tools and the best way to learn is by having fun and realizing along the way that even the smallest choices can help create a more sustainable world!
Join the movement of ErasmusDays and check out our stuff!
If this inspires you to learn more about sustainability or if you would just like to have a go at these games yourself, check out online what our NGO has to offer. It’s a great chance to connect, learn, and play your way to a greener future.
Ready to play with friends and family? Download ALL OF OUR GAMES on our platform, mysustainable.space, and make a positive change, one eco-friendly move at a time.