Tabletop Democracy is an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in Arroyomolinos (Madrid), Spain, from 9 to 17 January 2027. It gathers 25 young people aged 18-28 from Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain to learn the past and future of democracy through games, role-play and simulations. It is fully funded by Erasmus+ (travel, meals and accommodation included) and there is no participation fee. At Youth Works Hub, we read the full infopack and the application form, and this guide brings every detail together.
What Is Tabletop Democracy?
Tabletop Democracy is a Youth Exchange with the motto "Play our past to design our future!". Over a 7-day gamified journey, participants explore the past and future of democracy through playful, non-formal learning. If this format is new to you, our guide explains what an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange is and how it works.
The project is organised by A Ludic European Association (ALEA) in Spain and carries the project number 2026-1-ES02-KA152-YOU-000396084.
Is This Project for You? The Questions Behind It
The infopack opens with a few direct questions:
😟 Are you worried about the extremisms in your surroundings?
🌫️ Do you feel hopeless about the future?
❓ Does democracy make sense anymore?
If you like to debate, learn and play, the organisers see this as your chance to discover how to find hope and use it as a tool for changing society.
Have You Ever Wondered...?
🏛️ Is democracy really useful?
🎲 Can some games actually change how we make decisions?
🌍 Are there young people across Europe with the same worries and hopes as me?
If the answer is yes, the organisers say this project is for you.
Project Goals
The exchange is built around four goals:
🎭 Strengthen civic competences through playful, non-formal learning: games, role-play and simulations
📣 Boost active citizenship by making your voice heard
🛠️ Co-design solutions to today's problems
🤝 Develop soft skills in an intercultural setting
Who Can Apply? The Participant Profile
The project looks for curious, motivated and engaged young people aged 18-28. No prior background in game design or democratic knowledge is needed.
🌱 First-timers welcome: the project was developed especially for those with little or no prior experience in Erasmus+
🧩 Inclusion: priority is given to young people with fewer opportunities
🗣️ Language: an intermediate level of English is required
📅 Availability: the application form asks you to apply only if you are certain that you are available for the project dates and eager to make the most of the opportunity
Group Size: 4 Participants + 1 Team Leader per Country
The organisers will choose 4 participants per country + 1 Team Leader with experience in Erasmus+. The team leader has no age limit. In total, the exchange gathers 25 young people from Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain.
Partner Organisations
🇪🇸 A Ludic European Association (Spain)
🇵🇱 PIM fundacja (Poland)
🇬🇷 Youngsters Union (Greece)
🇮🇹 RomagnaPLus (Italy)
🇷🇴 Buletin de Anina (Romania)
Your Commitments: Before the Exchange
Preparation starts online. You will:
💬 Join the discussion hub on Discord to meet the team and prepare the journey together
🖥️ Attend the online meetings
🧠 Participate in the proposed online dynamics
Your Commitments: During the Exchange
🎯 Actively take part in the workshops
✏️ Co-create some learning resources
📏 Follow the rules of the venue, of the project and the ones decided by the group
Your Commitments: After the Exchange
🌐 Help translate simple game rules into your native language
🏘️ Host or support one local playtest or workshop with your national team back home
🎓 Complete your Youthpass certificate
Youthpass is the official recognition tool of the programme, and our guide on what Youthpass is explains how it documents your learning. The organisers add that they will support you with the follow-up, which can include social media posts, podcasts, reels and local activities.
Three Phases You Commit To
By applying, you commit to participate in all three phases of the exchange: preparation, implementation and dissemination. By filling out the form, you also confirm that you have read and fully understood the project infopack.
Expected Impact
📢 Empower other young people to gain confidence, speak up and take an active role in Europe
🧩 Playable board and role-playing games co-created as open-source educational tools for youth across Europe
🫂 Strengthened European friendships and networks, opening doors to new Erasmus+ adventures
Taking part in Tabletop Democracy requires sharing your created games and civic experience with your local community back home.
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in Spain →
────────────────────────────────────────
Venue: Arroyomolinos, Madrid
Arroyomolinos is located about 29 km southwest of downtown Madrid. With a population of more than 34,000, it features a mix of historic sites and modern residential areas amid rolling hills and arroyos (streams).
🎨 Workshops: most workshops and activities take place at ALEA's hub, ARTISTIC Espacio Cultural
🛏️ Accommodation: participants sleep at El Gaitero, a hotel with rooms for 2-4 people with private bathrooms
🍽️ Food: 3 meals a day and 2 coffee breaks are provided
All of this is covered by the Erasmus+ programme.
How to Get to Arroyomolinos
✈️ Airport: if you are coming from abroad, find a connection to Adolfo Suárez-Barajas Airport (Madrid)
🚇 Metro: take the metro from any terminal, L8 to Nuevos Ministerios, and there change to L10 to Cuatro Vientos without leaving the metro
🚌 Bus: when you get off the metro, take bus 495 Av. Fuenlabrada-Urb Los Olivos and after 9 stops get off at Crta. Fuenlabrada-Serranillos
🚶 On foot: after a 3-minute walk, you will arrive at "Espacio Cultural Artistic"
Travel Reimbursement by Country
The travel reimbursement amounts per country are:
🇬🇷 Greece, Poland, Romania: 395 €
🇮🇹 Italy: 309 €
🇪🇸 Spain: 56 €
The Spanish budget is with green travel: low-emissions means of transport for the main part of the journey, such as bus, train or car-pooling. Our guide on how Erasmus+ travel reimbursement works explains how these amounts are set.
Travel Rules You Need to Follow
🌱 Green travel: whenever green travel is eligible, it is required. Read more about green travel in Erasmus+ and ESC
🏦 Payment: reimbursement will be made in April 2026 by bank transfer
🧾 Documents: all tickets and boarding passes must be kept in original and/or PDF format
🛑 Tickets: do NOT purchase tickets until you have confirmation from the organisers or your sending organisation
📆 Flexible days: you can travel 1-2 days before, or 1-2 days after the project dates, but accommodation will not be covered on those days
Selection Process
📝 Fill out the form explaining your personal interest in the project, how you can benefit from it and how you can contribute to it
🏢 Each partner organisation selects its own team of participants
💬 All communication before, during and after the project is done through Discord, including preparatory activities and a video call
How to Apply
Apply through the online application form. In your answers, explain your personal interest in the project, how you can benefit from it and how you can contribute to it. Read the infopack carefully before applying: by submitting the form, you confirm that you have read and fully understood it. Questions can be sent to the organisers by email or on Instagram (@alea.spain).
Find more projects like this in our Erasmus+ listings on Youth Works Hub.
What to Bring
🩺 European Health Insurance Card or any other travel/health insurance
🍲 Typical food from your country for the intercultural night
👟 Comfortable clothes and shoes, appropriate to the weather
🛂 Passport, ID, travel tickets and boarding passes
💻 At least one device is desirable for the activities: a laptop, iPad or smartphone
🎒 Any personal item you may need
Disclaimer: Attendance and Behaviour
Failure to participate in at least 80% of the sessions and programme content, or inappropriate behaviour, will be grounds for being asked to leave the project and for travel expenses not being reimbursed.
Meet the Team
🎲 Jota (@jocamux): a game designer inspired by Maths, Theatre, Learning Science and any combination of those. He is also a university professor, a speaker at video game conferences, a game dev mentor and a Didactics researcher.
🌾 Silvia (@theladysil): an Erasmus+ Project Coordinator and Youth Worker, as well as a Rural Development Project Manager who loves working with rural communities, passionate about community-led initiatives and deeply committed to grassroots movements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when does Tabletop Democracy take place?
The exchange takes place in Arroyomolinos, about 29 km southwest of downtown Madrid, Spain, from 9 to 17 January 2027. Most activities are held at ALEA's hub, ARTISTIC Espacio Cultural.
Who can join this Youth Exchange?
Young people aged 18-28 from Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain can apply. Each country also sends 1 team leader with Erasmus+ experience, and the team leader has no age limit.
Do I need experience in game design or politics?
No. No prior background in game design or democratic knowledge is needed. The project was developed especially for young people with little or no prior Erasmus+ experience.
What English level do I need?
An intermediate level of English is required to take part in the activities.
Is there a participation fee?
No. There is no participation fee. The project is fully funded by Erasmus+, covering travel, meals and accommodation.
How much travel reimbursement will I receive?
Participants from Greece, Poland and Romania have a budget of 395 €, from Italy 309 €, and from Spain 56 € (with green travel). Reimbursement is made in April 2026 by bank transfer.
Can I buy my tickets right after applying?
No. You should not purchase tickets until you have confirmation from the organisers or your sending organisation. Keep all tickets and boarding passes in original and/or PDF format.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. You can travel 1-2 days before or 1-2 days after the project dates, but accommodation is not covered on those extra days.
Where will participants sleep?
Participants stay at El Gaitero, a hotel with rooms for 2-4 people with private bathrooms. Three meals a day and two coffee breaks are provided.
What happens after the exchange?
You help translate simple game rules into your native language, host or support one local playtest or workshop with your national team, and complete your Youthpass certificate.
How are participants selected?
You fill out the form explaining your interest, what you can gain and what you can contribute. Each partner organisation selects its own team of participants.
What happens if I miss sessions?
Not participating in at least 80% of the sessions and programme content, or behaving inappropriately, can lead to being asked to leave the project and to travel expenses not being reimbursed.
Project Snapshot
📌 Type: Youth Exchange
📍 Location: Arroyomolinos (Madrid), Spain
🗓️ Activity Dates: 9-17 January 2027
🌍 Countries: Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania, Poland
🎂 Age: 18-28 (team leader with no age limit)
🔢 Project Number: 2026-1-ES02-KA152-YOU-000396084
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
📝 Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbAFQTZw7v2TJpT40vYA1tJGowsmCT3ky7JxF-qGHFJNK1gw/viewform
📄 Infopack: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG78xgp9wU/yQvfBM7FMfX51TTWehpK9A/view
📧 Contact email: admin@aleaspain.org
