What is local governance? What really constitutes a democratic process? And whom does it serve?
Electionville is an online or physical educational floor game, where the participants take on the challenging roles of county council members. The Electionville game is suitable for people of all ages and regardless of political affiliation. This makes Electionville the perfect tool for practicing values such as inclusiveness, participation, and gender equality.
Originally designed as a boardgame by the Swedish content bureau Fabel and commissioned by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Electionville has been produced in over 13,000 copies, reaching more than half of the primary and upper secondary schools in Sweden.
About
The toolkit consists of building blocks to carry out the game online or physically, guidelines for a connecting seminar and communication material.
Online game
The toolkit includes an online game link (available in eight languages), instructions, and communication material which will enable you to play the game Electionville with your selected target group (e.g. alumni members, youth of ages 15-24, etc.). The game takes approximately 30–90 minutes and can be played with 3–6 players. If you have more players, you can create teams where every party in the game consists of more than one person. You can also run multiple games, with one game master for each game. For the best result, we recommend you to hire a game host to lead the game.
Physical game
If you would like to play the game in physical format it is done in collaboration with a Swedish Embassy/Consulate. Reach out to alumni@si.se to coordinate with your local Swedish Embassy/Consulate. The physical game takes 90–120 minutes and can be played with 3–6 players or in larger teams where every party in the game consists of more than one person.
Connecting seminar
If possible, try to organise moderated group talks or seminars on related themes in connection to the physical game event to set the context and purpose (#DemocracyTalks). These group talks can be between the target group and specially invited representatives from the local community. Or you can organise a talk with suggested speakers on relevant topics from SI’s other toolkits. If playing the online game, it is recommended that each online game session is followed by a sum up, using the set of questions provided in the written prompts in the game.
Financial Support
For the online game, financial support from SI can be used for remuneration to a game host to lead the online game, cost associated with hosting a seminar in connection to the game (online or physical), or printing canvas bags for participants. Contact alumni@si.se if you would like to get in contact with a game host. Good to know – the Swedish Embassies can apply for funding from the Swedish Institute to arrange this toolkit physically.
Instructions and manuals
Building blocks
Online game content
- Online Game Instruction Folder
- Online game link – electionville.se (only available in English)
- Contact SI (alumni@si.se) for contact information to a game host
- Electionville is optimized for desktop, using Microsoft Chrome (i.e. android, tablet and iPad is not recommended)
- To play the game, each player and the game master therefore need access to a computer, a stable internet connection, and access to a video conference tool (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, Windows Teams, Skype). Also make sure that your browser programs are accurately updated
Physical game
- Contact SI (alumni@si.se) if you would like to arrange a physical floor game in collaboration with your local Swedish Embassy/Consulate
Connecting seminar
- Arrange moderated group talks that can be held between the target group and specially invited representatives from the local community
- Or organise a talk with suggested speakers on relevant topics from SI’s other toolkits
Communication/promotion material
- Canvas bag: overview artwork for printing
- Please use #CitizensOfElectionville in your social media work to highlight your activities with the initiative. We also encourage you (if possible) to use the #DriveForDemocracy hashtag as well as the SDG16 Agenda 2030 logo
Step by step manual
- Contact alumni@si.se if you would like to arrange a game host to lead the online game. Or if you are interested in arranging a physical Electionville game in collaboration with your local Swedish Embassy/Consulate.
- Set a date and time that is suitable for your target group and if relevant the game host or Swedish Embassy/Consulate. Make sure to set aside a minimum of two hours for the game and add time for an intro or sum up session before and after.
- If you are doing the online game without a game host – select a person responsible to lead the game, who reads up on the Instructions and Guidelines and play a trial run with you before the actual event takes place.
- If possible, try to organise moderated group talks or seminars on related themes in connection to the game event – this could be an online or physical event.
- Apply for funding from SI, if needed.
- Inform your contact person at the Swedish Embassy about your event.
- Create a page for your event so that people can register.
- Post your event in the Sweden Alumni Activity Calendar.
- Send invitations to your members. If you need help with reaching out to new members, get in touch with SI who can help sending an email to their contacts.
- If you are doing the online game with a game host set up a short meeting to go through the details before the event takes place.
- Have your event!
- Send in the report to SI, not more than two weeks after the event.
How to apply
Contact alumni@si.se before you apply if you are interested in arranging a physical Electionville game in collaboration with your local Swedish Embassy/Consulate or get in contact with a game host to lead your online game.
Submit the Application Form to apply for this event.
How to report
Here you find the Reporting Instructions.
Contact
For more information, contact alumni@si.se.