Erasmus+ Project
Antura Erasmus +: Interactive Learning Game for Refugee and Migrant Children’s Inclusion: The ANTURA Project
Contact: Franziska Funken ff@colognegamelab.de
The latest ANTURA project is an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at helping refugee and migrant children adapt to their new environments through a learning game. Launched in December 2023, the project brings together partners from Germany, Spain, Poland, and France to create a tool that supports language learning and cultural integration in schools both in France and Poland. By combining game-based learning with practical educational resources, the project addresses some of the challenges that refugee and migrant children face in their new schools and communities. This initiative builds upon the existing ANTURA and the Letters game, offering children additional support in understanding the culture of their host country while engaging with it directly in their new classrooms.
At its core, this version of ANTURA aims to provide children with an engaging way to learn the language of their host country while also familiarizing themselves with its cultural context. The game is designed to be multilingual, open-source, and accessible to as many children as possible. While it is primarily aimed at students aged 6 to 11, it also considers the needs of older, newly arrived children who may benefit from additional support. Teachers play a central role in the project, with resources and training developed to help them integrate the game into their classrooms. The use of tools like the Homer System ensures that educators can actively contribute to shaping the game’s content, making it a well designed fit for the schools.
The project is supported by a strong consortium of organizations, each contributing their unique expertise:
- Technische Hochschule Köln (TH Köln) – Germany’s largest university of applied sciences and the lead institution for the project, supported by its Cologne Game Lab, specializing in game design and development.
- Videojuegos Sin Fronteras (Spain) – A nonprofit organization dedicated to creating social impact through games, with previous experience in developing Antura and the Letters.
- Dolnośląska Szkoła Wyższa (Poland) – A university specializing in educational research and digital tools, ensuring the game’s effectiveness is backed by scientific evaluation.
- Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty (Poland) – An organization experienced in integrating refugee children into schools and promoting educational innovation.
- Académie de Nantes Rectorat (France) – Focused on supporting newly arrived children with little knowledge of French, helping them settle into schools.
These partners are supported by associated organizations, such as DIHAL in France, which contribute additional expertise to the project.
The project’s approach has been carefully designed to ensure long-term impact. A series of small- and large-scale pilot tests in France and Poland will help refine the game and assess its effectiveness. By the end of the project in November 2026, the team aims to deliver a fully developed game, a toolkit for teachers, and a detailed guide for adapting the game to other languages and contexts. The insights gained will also provide valuable information about how digital tools can be used in education during crises, such as the Ukrainian refugee situation.By combining the expertise of its diverse partners and focusing on the needs of both children and educators, the ANTURA project demonstrates how innovative digital tools can help address complex educational challenges. Through its efforts, the project aims to create a supportive and engaging learning environment, helping children feel more at home in their new surroundings.
