Co-creation can be described as the practice of people’s collaboration to guide the design process of a product or service. Participants with different roles align and offer diverse insights, usually in facilitated workshops. Co-creation enables idea generation through shared knowledge and experiences and a better understanding of the user since the process becomes more meaningful for the people involved. Using this method, it ensures a space for many to be heard and room for diversity, difference and desires (Wierdsma, 2004; Wenger, 2000). Hence, intercultural learning can also be enhanced and encouraged through this method.
The project KidLe – Developing an intercultural game as a pedagogic tool for the inclusion of pupils with migrant background in new learning environments, which is co-funded by the European Union through the ERASMUS+ programme, uses the co-creation method in order to develop five different intercultural board games to support the inclusion of children with migrant background in new school environments. Apart from the co-creation method, KidLe also promotes the play methodology which is proven to be a particularly effective approach for integrating and learning new languages and cultures, especially in preschool and primary education. Play can be used as a way of communication and support children’s learning coming from different cultural backgrounds.
For this reason, children aged 4-8 years, parents and teachers will be working together during the project implementation (December 2023 – November 2025) to develop these intercultural board games, which will then be integrated into a digital package that will be available as an open-source online. Play events will be later organised in all partner countries involved in the project, for children, parents and teachers to interact and play the games online.
The project consortium consists of 6 partners: the University Institute of Lisbon in Portugal, InterAktion organisation in Austria, SIRIUS Network in Belgium and the vocational organisation EuroSpeak Limited in Ireland. In Cyprus, the project is implemented by the University of Limassol and the Agios Spyridonas Kindergarten in Nicosia.
A series of co-creation workshops took place in Cyprus during May and June 2024. These workshops actively engaged children aged 4-6 years, parents, and teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Cyprus, Syria, Moldova, and Greece.
Despite differing ideas, common themes emerged, emphasizing values such as inclusion, diversity, respect, and the joy of play. Participants, through the co-creation process also became more aware of practical obstacles, incorporating their cultural aspects into the game design. The game’s scope, narrative, instructions, and material were developed collaboratively, aiming to overcome barriers and foster intercultural understanding during play. Whether choosing colourful boats or different animals as pawns, the goal remains to reach the board game’s finish line while acquiring new knowledge and earning points through positive deeds.
To learn more about the project activities and actions, visit the KidLe website and the social media of the Research Centre of the University of Limassol.
