The Game
The simulation game “Partizipa City”, which was developed by our project partner ifak with support from the bpb (Federal Agency for Civic Education), encourages participants to reflect on and challenge their understanding of racism, with a particular focus on anti-Muslim racism. Set in a fictional city, participants experience everyday scenarios at various locations (e.g., schools, train stations, sports fields) through role-playing. They take on different roles – as those affected by racism, observers, or even perpetrators – allowing them to critically examine their own behaviours and thought patterns.
Currently designed for a German audience and focusing on Islamophobia, the game is available in German as a printed version. It has been successfully tested and received excellent feedback from both trainers and learners. Presented at a European conference, it sparked significant interest from participating organizations across Europe, who expressed a desire to adapt the game for their target groups. The European project “Participa City” now enables us to develop a digital version, contextualised for diverse European audiences, going beyond mere translation into partner languages.
The German version of the game 
was funded by Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education)
Through realistic scenarios, the game illustrates how racist actions can harm individuals, hinder participation, and disrupt social cohesion. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of a discrimination-free society through perspective-taking and knowledge-sharing.
Target Audience and Impact
The game is designed for professionals in administration and education, but also for mixed groups, to foster a broad societal learning process. It enhances participants’ ability to advocate for democracy and equality in a diverse society. Supplementary materials, such as brochures with real-life case studies, support deeper engagement with the game’s themes.
This simulation invites participants to explore alternative perspectives and develop practical strategies to combat racism, empowering them to contribute to a democratic, inclusive society.
Methodology and Process
Participants engage in dialogues to negotiate values and positions at various stations within the game. Intermediary stations provide additional context and knowledge through media and informational materials. Decisions made during the scenarios shape the course of the game, emphasising individual agency and the power of choice. The protected environment allows for open discussions on sensitive topics.
Objectives of the Game
- Raising awareness of racism: Participants learn to identify everyday racism and reflect on their role as affected individuals, observers, or beneficiaries.
- Promoting self-reflection: The game highlights how deeply racism is embedded in societal structures and personal socialization.
- Understanding the impact of racism: It reveals the consequences of racism, particularly in institutional settings, where discriminatory practices may inadvertently arise.