As part of the Escape2EU project’s mission to promote inclusion, empathy, and intercultural dialogue through innovative tools, we recently had the opportunity to test a locally adapted version of our educational escape room game with a vibrant group of 25 young people from five different countries: Italy 
, North Macedonia 
, Türkiye 
, Romania 
and Lithuania 
.
, North Macedonia , Türkiye , Romania and Lithuania .This test took place during the Youth Exchange “Critical Thinking in a Digital World”, held in Băile Govora, Vâlcea County, Romania – a project developed by our friends from Asociatia “Youth On The Move”, aimed at fostering dialogue, collaboration, and media literacy among European youth. The setting provided the perfect backdrop for exploring themes of digital awareness, teamwork, and intercultural understanding.
What made this version of the Escape2EU game particularly powerful was its adaptation to the local context: the storylines and challenges were inspired by real experiences of young Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Râmnicu Vâlcea starting in February 2022. This emotional and human-centered approach gave the game a deeper layer of meaning, prompting players not only to solve puzzles but also to reflect on themes of migration, resilience, and empathy.
Throughout the workshop, the young participants worked in diverse teams, combining logic, creativity, and communication to unlock the game’s challenges. As they progressed, they engaged with narratives drawn from real lives, building not only problem-solving skills but also emotional intelligence and cross-cultural sensitivity.
The energy and feedback from this international group were incredibly valuable. Their insights will play a key role in helping us further refine the Escape2EU experience, making it even more relevant and impactful for future audiences across Europe.
We are grateful to the organizers of “Critical Thinking in a Digital World” for inviting us to share our project, and we’re proud to be contributing to a larger conversation about solidarity, inclusion, and digital empowerment.
Stay connected for more updates as we continue our journey across borders with the Escape2EU game!
