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Game Changers is a competition for young people who want to change the world and believe games are a way to do this.
Young people all over Ireland submit games based on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Games can be a board game, card game or video game, and submitted in one of three categories: Primary, Post Primary, or Youth.
The 2021/22 Game Changers programme is now complete – see below for details on this year’s winners. Registration for Game Changers 2023 will open in the autumn
In the fourth year of Game Changers, 212 games were entered into the competition. Games explored themes such as climate action, sea pollution, gender equality and sustainability. The development education team reviewed all games, and 29 games were shortlisted for the final even in the Lighthouse Cinema which was held on May 18th. Primary schools, post primary schools and youth groups from all across the island of Ireland were represented at this event. Students had the opportunity to play the other games in their category aswell as showcasing their own game to their peers. Students then voted on their favourite games. Congratulations to this year’s winners and to all of the young people and educators who participated in Game Changers 2022.
Game Changers 2022 Winners
Primary Category
First Place – Achill Sound National School, Co. Mayo – Roll and Catch
Second Place – Groggan Primary School, Co. Antrim – Oceans Alive
Third Place – Mercy Convent Primary School, Co. Kildare – UN Goals Choose Your Path/ Scoil Róis, Co. Galway – Bin it to Win it!
Post Primary/Youth Category
First Place – Loreto College Coleraine, Co. Derry – Planet Pursuit
Second Place – Sacred Heart School Tullamore, Co. Offaly – The Consequence Games
Third Place – St Mogues College, Co. Cavan – Zero Hunger
In 2021 we reverted to a more familiar format of the programme, including CPD for educators, and online workshops to help the young people with designing their games. The year continued to be affected by Covid-19, however, schools and youth groups came up with innovative ways to work together to complete their games and enter them into our competition. In 2021, we were again looking for understanding, empathy, innovation, and effort, as well as ensuring the games demonstrated a clear link to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We had three winning games this year, from both formal and non-formal education settings.
Overall winner – Holy Child Killiney, Co. Dublin with ‘The Sustain Game’
Runner up – Sí Goaith Guides (Barna) with their game ‘Eco-Quality-Garden’
Runner up – Irish Girl Guides with their game ‘The Twisted Game of SDG 12’
Students from Holy Child School, Killiney receiving their certificates from Stephen Farley for winning Trócaire Game Changers 2021. Picture Credit: Holy Child School, Killiney.
Due to Covid-19, Game Changers 2020 was adapted to become a Home Challenge Competition. However, this did not stop the resourcefulness, ingenuity, and creativity of all the entries. Our Home Challenge saw original board games, card games and digital games submitted from young people of all ages, from all over Ireland.
The games explored the Sustainable Development Goals, including games focusing on climate action, peace and justice, good health and wellbeing and responsible consumption.
Each game was assessed by a judging panel on the following criteria: Understanding, Empathy, Innovation and Effort. The judges were impressed by the standard of knowledge, understanding and gameplay. We had five winning games from both the senior and junior categories, including individual and team entries.
The winners were:
Over 80 games were entered into the inaugural Game Changers competition in 2019. Board games, card games and online games were submitted from primary, post-primary and youth groups. These games explored themes such as human rights, the plight of refugees and the challenges of delivering aid to countries affected by poverty.
Each game was assessed by the judging panel on the following criteria: understanding, empathy, innovation and effort. Twenty-two games were shortlisted and showcased at the competition final, which took place in DCU on the 15th May 2019.
These 22 groups of young people and their teachers enjoyed a hugely energetic and colourful event. The judges were wowed by the standard of gameplay on show but the final say on who took home the title went to the entrants themselves. Each group voted for their favourite game. The winning game was announced as “Hunt for Human Rights”, a fantastic game created by Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan. Their prize was to present their game at the International Educational Games Competition in Denmark.
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