GREAT Case Study GCS3 Green Jobs

This report presents a comprehensive summary of the Vienna Case Study (GCS3) titled Green Jobs, conducted within the framework of the EU Horizon-funded project GREAT - Games Realising Effective and Affective Transformation (https://www.greatproject.gg/). As the third of eight case studies carried out by the project team, the Green Jobs case study engages real-world policy stakeholders, contributing iteratively to the enhancement of the GREAT case study documentation, research methodology, and overall project design

The Green Jobs initiative commenced in October 2023 and concluded in October 2024, involving the Austrian policy stakeholder Klimafonds  (https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/), nine schools, and the GREAT project research team led by ZSI - Zentrum für Soziale Innovation in Vienna, Austria. This exploratory study followed the structured GREAT case study cycle design (figure 1), an eight-stage inquiry process grounded in a mixed-methods research (MMR) approach. The primary goal was to explore innovative strategies for engaging school students aged 15-20 in policy discussions around the topic of “Green Jobs”.

The case study aimed to provide a scalable model for integrating citizen voices—particularly those of young people—into policymaking processes, fostering more inclusive and informed decision-making. By incorporating game-based activities and partnering with game studios like SGI - Serious Games Interactive, the initiative sought to create an interactive, accessible, and impactful tool for public engagement. This approach capitalized on the widespread appeal and strong engagement potential of video games to reach traditionally underrepresented audiences in policy discussions.

In collaboration with SGI, a dilemma-based role-playing game was developed to facilitate discussions on measures to motivate young people to pursue “Green Jobs”. The game encouraged students to use their mobile phones to actively voice their opinions, engaging them in political discussions through an innovative, non-traditional medium.

The outcomes of this case study suggest a promising model for future initiatives. It demonstrates a scalable, cost-effective solution adaptable to various policy areas, effectively bridging the gap between policymakers and citizens, especially young audiences. The success of the Green Jobs case study highlights the significant potential of leveraging digital innovation and popular culture to foster inclusive, representative, and impactful policy discussions across diverse sectors.