Participants in the escape room game organized by Aspon Consulting on Wednesday, July 15, 2027, as part of the European project “Signs of Cohesion Policy in Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania,” which is co-funded by the European Union.

Four teams took part in the event; they were asked to collaborate, use their critical thinking skills, and solve a series of puzzles and challenges, thereby discovering firsthand how Cohesion Policy contributes to the development of European regions.

Participants were transported to the fictional Cohesion Island, where they took on the role of the new administration of a city facing economic challenges and disinformation campaigns. Their mission was to secure the necessary European funding, identify reliable information, distinguish facts from myths, and, through collaboration and solving challenges, to discover the final code that would unlock the city’s central system, thereby successfully completing the mission.

During the game, the teams learned about the main Cohesion Policy Funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund+ (ESF+), and the Just Transition Fund, through real-life examples of projects being implemented in European Union member states. At the same time, they faced challenges that highlighted the importance of accurate information and combating misinformation surrounding European policies.

The “Escape the Room” game utilized experiential learning methodology, transforming complex concepts of Cohesion Policy into an interactive experience that fostered collaboration, teamwork, and active citizen participation. Through the game, participants had the opportunity to better understand how European investments contribute to creating more resilient, green, and socially cohesive local communities.

The activity was carried out as part of the project “Signs of Cohesion Policy in Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania,” which aims to highlight the role and results of Cohesion Policy in Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania through innovative public awareness and citizen participation initiatives. The project is co-funded by the European Union.