About the project

The ESC-MISINFO project brings together 5 partners from 4 countries with expertise in youth engagement, game-based learning, media literacy, and public library innovation: Cultuurconnect (Belgium), Public Libraries 2030 (Belgium), FRSI (Poland), PiNA (Slovenia), and the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington (United States).

Through game-based learning activities and co-creative practices, ESC-MISINFO empowers public libraries to take on a new role in non-formal education and youth work. Escape room-style games, participatory workshops, and peer learning initiatives will equip young people with the tools to critically assess digital content, question sources, and understand the impact of online narratives – especially those related to environmental issues. ESC-MISINFO will also contribute to building the capacity of public libraries across Europe, helping them to become active hubs for youth engagement, digital literacy, and democratic participation.

ESC-MISINFO focuses on three main objectives:

• Equipping public libraries with the skills and tools to run inclusive, game-based MIL activities for youth
• Enabling public libraries to engage young people through co-creation on the topics of misinformation and climate change
• Promoting and disseminating innovative non-formal education practices, creating a European community of practice around game-based MIL in libraries.

Over the next two years, the project will:

• Localise 2 escape room games about misinformation and AI
• Develop a beta version of an escape room game on climate misinformation
• Develop a comprehensive toolkit for public libraries with co-creation frameworks and game-based MIL methods
• Train 18 library staff and direct engagement of 180 youths in Belgium (Flanders), Slovenia, and Poland