Our core focus is experiental learning, games, and adventures of all kind. Utilizing methodologies such as EDU-LARP, adventure-based learning and active participation we aim to create content that brings positive real-world changes into our local & international environment.
The main ingredients we want to put into anything we work on are: inclusion, participation, playfulness & learning by doing approach. We got to experience the power of these first hand and we absolutely loved it! Throughout the projects & activities we learned that these principles can do wonders for personal motivation and the overall experience.
All of the above is why we decided to establish our very own organization. Now we are able to do more, reach further and impact deeper. Take a look at our projects so far and see how it can all be translated into practice. Who knows – maybe you get ideas?
Our projects
On an eco-farm situated deep in the lush Swedish nature, every year around July’s full moon a very special cultural exchange happens. Last year more than 200 people came to play the game together – immersing themselves into the live-action role-playing game for 3 days! As a part of this, each year projects partners bring around 30 young people from across the EU who get to participate following a series of on-site preparatory workshops. The theme changes (personal expression, sustainability, crisis management etc.) the fundamental aim of this YE stays the same: facilitating personal growth and experiencing a natural lifestyle. The adventure-based EDU-LARP methods used are so successful that the YE got approved for the 6th year in a row!
Our role here is broad: from finding, preparing, and leading the participants, to co-designing the game process, managing game factions, and leading the workshops.
TALES OF EREA
2019 – ongoing
International LARP
Slovenia
join the adventure
This international game community could be called our lil’ baby. It is how we started producing our original games. Started in the late 2019, the original fantasy world inspired by the Age of Exploration and designed in pirate aesthetic remains to be one of our core activities. Consisting of various games, creative workshops, social-media challenges and offline/online events it is a great source of inspiration: many of the games we designed so far are set amongst its vast oceans, intriguing adventures, and astounding riches. The core of it is an international LARP event that welcomes those over the age of 18.
Our role: we design, write, produce, lead and execute everything. We are the brains’n’hearths behind it, arrr!
An innovative youth exchange project utilizing EDU-LARP methodology to address the negative perception of immigrants and prevent the radicalization of youth and communities. The exchange titled Building the community of values brought together participants from different EU countries and consisted of various workshops, discussions, and live-action role-playing sessions (in a post-apocalyptic setting). One of its main aspects was creating a safe space to share thoughts and experiences participants got throughout the sessions.
Our role: to find, prepare and lead the Slovenian participants as well as mentoring those who have never played before. Doing so enabled us to develop our own competencies and to learn a new way of designing EDU-LARPs.
Trainings
The aim of the in-depth practical course on larp design, production and social impact was to: explore advanced levels and new trends in LARP (live action role-playing) games; play, test and share various scenarios; analyze learning potential and social impact of larp games; as well as to empower larping community across European countries.
The first edition of this impactful training was led by expert trainers Marcin ‘Słowik’ Słowikowski (LubLarp project, game designer at Witcher School larp, etc.), Patrycja Paula Gas (Portal 10 larp conference, game designer at Gimle larp, etc.) and Zbyszek Janzukowicz (Larp for Climate project, Portal 10 larp conference, etc.).
Using EDU-LARP methodology for civic education in the European context
2021
Erasmus+ training
Germany
The aim of the Erasmus+ training was to train youth leaders from different EU countries in planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs based on: identification of needs and problems of target groups, understanding Erasmus+ values, and use of EDU-LARP methodology as an educational tool.
The training consisted of workshops, discussions, presentations and game testing. It brought together people from different disciplines: youth workers, LARPers, educators and game designers, weaving great international connections for future cooperation.
Conferences & conventions
Each year we join forces with other local larps to represent Slovenian LARP community to the wider poublic. In 2022 year we joined forces with the biggest slovenian fantasy enthusiasts community Amulet to create a fantasy corner. We presented Slovenian larp scene, our game Tales of EREA ~ pirate larp, GIMLE larp and our Erasmus+ strategic partnership ”Educational LARP development & networking”.
MofuCon convention is the biggest Slovenian anime convention. As a succesor to Makkon anime convention it brings together anime and manga enthusiasts from the whole country.
On this edition of the convention we contributed with a presentation Empowering Youth and Community through edu-larp: GIMLE larp case study, an original study report LARP Alchemy: exploring obstacles of new players and participated in a discussion panel Larp for youth and made by young creators. We also represented our Erasmus+ strategic partnership ”Educational LARP development & networking” and our game Tales of EREA ~ pirate larp.
Portal LARP convention is the biggest east & south-east European LARP convention (live action role-playing game). By settling in a different country each year it brings together game designers and enthusiasts from across the Europe and showcases various practices, games and aspects of larping. In recent years the project has been financed by Erasmus+ project and is free to enter.
Placed in beautiful Greece, this edition of the convention was aimed at exploring how larp game methodologies can be used as an educational tool. By participating in the Erasmus+ activities before the convention we gained a lot of valuable knowledge and international connections. During the convention, we premiered our short larp game Pirate’s Dilemma as well as presented our game Tales of Erea ~ pirate larp.
Portal LARP convention is the biggest east & south-east European LARP convention (live action role-playing game). By settling in a different country each year it brings together game designers and enthusiasts from across the Europe and showcases various practices, games and aspects of larping. In recent years the project has been financed by Erasmus+ project and is free to enter.
We are open for collaboration 🙂
We love making new friends so don’t hesitate to contact us!
We can help with spicing up events, creating experiential workshops, designing entertaining & educational games as well as co-create different informal & non-formal educational activities with you.
… from Erasmus+ (youth exchanges, trainings and partnerships) to game development;
… from entertaining or educational events to team buildings, group activities and facilitation;
We are happy to help with whatever expereince you want to create!
Ingredients we love are inclusion, participation, playfulness & hands-on approach. We got to experience the power of these first hand and we absolutely loved it! So – bring your ideas and we’ll bring our experience.
Wanna change the world?
We are looking for cool ideas, partnerships and those who wish to contribute in any way!
© Zavod EREA 2022
Zavod EREA 