“Don’t Escape Your Rights” – A New Chapter in Youth Civic Engagement
Across the rural regions of Southwest Bulgaria, a growing number of young people feel disconnected from civic life. Low voter turnout, limited understanding of democratic processes, and lack of trust in institutions reflect a wider sense of disengagement. The “Don’t Escape Your Rights” project takes this challenge head-on—by turning civic education into an interactive, youth-led, and unforgettable experience.
A Creative Approach to a Serious Issue
The heart of the project lies in an innovative method: escape rooms. But not just any games—these escape rooms are specially designed to simulate real-life democratic dilemmas, inviting participants to “solve” them using knowledge of voting, rights, and civic responsibility. By gamifying civic learning, the project creates a space where young people can connect with complex ideas in a meaningful, hands-on way.
Who Leads the Change? Youth Themselves.
The project will train 24 young leaders from four local schools to become Youth Active Ambassadors. Through a combination of non-formal education and peer-to-peer learning, these ambassadors will gain the tools to design and lead educational escape room campaigns in their communities.
Their mission? To make civic engagement not just understandable—but relatable, exciting, and empowering for their peers.
From Classrooms to Communities: What Will Happen
– Four school-based awareness campaigns will be led by the Youth Active Ambassadors between December 2024 and January 2025, using escape room events to reach dozens of their peers.
– A large-scale final event will gather 100 young participants for a civic-themed escape room experience that reinforces knowledge, reflection, and action.
– The project will also produce a practical digital guide on how to use escape rooms as a tool for civic education—freely available for teachers, youth workers, and NGOs.
What We Aim to Achieve
The long-term vision of “Don’t Escape Your Rights” is to reinvigorate youth interest in civic and political life—especially in rural areas where opportunities for engagement are fewer. We aim to:
– Raise awareness of democratic processes, voting rights, and civic responsibilities through engaging learning formats
– Empower youth leadership, with 24 ambassadors leading the way in their schools and communities
– Foster active citizenship by involving over 100 young people in simulated democratic participation experiences
– Create lasting tools and methods to inspire civic learning beyond the life of the project
Our Message to Young People?
You don’t need to wait to make a difference.
Your rights are not a puzzle to escape from—they are the key to unlocking your future.
Get involved. Speak up. Play the game—and shape the change.