AntiGypsyism: Gamification to Combat Discrimination towards Roma is an Erasmus+ KA220-YOU (Cooperation Partnerships in Youth) project funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The project has a duration of 24 months and is implemented from October 2025 to September 2027.
The AntiGypsyism project aims to prevent and address antigypsyism, a specific and deeply rooted form of racism against Roma communities, by empowering youth workers and young people through inclusive and participatory educational approaches. The project places strong emphasis on gamification and non-formal learning as effective methods for raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and strengthening the capacity of youth stakeholders to recognise, prevent, and respond to discrimination in both online and offline environments.
Through research-based activities, the development of training guidelines and manuals, a gamified educational board game, local anti-discrimination hubs, and targeted awareness-raising actions, the project supports youth workers, Roma mediators, and young people in developing critical thinking, intercultural competences, and active citizenship skills. By fostering cooperation between youth, professionals, and Roma communities, AntiGypsyism contributes to more inclusive youth work practices and promotes equality, tolerance, and respect for diversity across Europe.
Objectives
The main objectives of the AntiGypsyism project are:
To narrow the knowledge and skills gaps of youth workers and young people in recognising, preventing, and addressing antigypsyism as a specific form of racism against Roma communities.
To improve cooperation between young people, youth workers, and Roma health and educational mediators in order to recognise, respond to, and report online and offline antigypsyism incidents.
To raise awareness among youth workers and young people about the structural, widespread, and persistent discrimination faced by Roma communities, while challenging stereotypes and negative narratives.
To develop, pilot, and promote innovative educational tools based on gamification, including a training manual and a board game, to support youth work practices that combat antigypsyism.
To build the capacity of youth workers to use participatory, inclusive, and gamified methodologies that enhance engagement, critical thinking, and motivation among young people.
To empower young people to become active promoters of tolerance, equality, and human rights, contributing to social inclusion and the reduction of discrimination at local, national, and European level.
Outputs
The main Intellectual Outputs of the AntiGypsyism project are the following:
O1 – National and Transnational Mapping Report
Mapping the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of young people and youth workers regarding antigypsyism, resulting in national reports and one transnational comparative report.
O2 – Guidelines for Combating Antigypsyism
Development of guidelines focusing on the recognition, prevention, and response to both online and offline forms of antigypsyism, while strengthening cooperation among young people, youth workers, and Roma health and educational mediators.
O3 – Gamification Training Manual for Youth Workers
Design and pilot implementation of a training manual that uses gamification as a methodology to combat antigypsyism within youth work practices.
O4 – Gamified Educational Board Game for Young People
Development and pilot implementation of an educational board game aimed at raising awareness among young people, deconstructing stereotypes, and enhancing critical thinking and active participation.
O5 – Local Anti-Discrimination Hubs and Awareness-Raising Actions
Establishment of local anti-discrimination hubs in each partner country, involving youth workers and young people, alongside the implementation of awareness-raising and dissemination activities at local, national, and European level.
Target groups
The AntiGypsyism project addresses the following target groups:
Young people, including Roma and non-Roma youth, with a focus on raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and promoting active citizenship, tolerance, and social inclusion.
Youth workers, educators, trainers, and social workers who work directly with young people and require enhanced knowledge, skills, and practical tools to recognise, prevent, and address antigypsyism and discrimination.
Roma health and educational mediators, involved in community-based work, who play a key role in bridging Roma communities with education, youth, and social support structures.
Youth organisations and civil society organisations active in the fields of youth work, anti-discrimination, human rights, and social inclusion.
Local, national, and European stakeholders, including policymakers, public authorities, and community actors, who are engaged in combating discrimination, promoting equality, and supporting inclusive youth policies.