D4.3 Summary of case studies

This report presents findings from the GREAT project Work Package 4 (WP4), which explored the use of games-based activities as participatory tools for climate engagement across twelve case studies. Applying the Methodology for Interdisciplinary Research (MIR), the project tested two primary approaches: embedded surveys (PlanetPlay) and dilemma-based learning (DiBL). These interventions revealed that games-based activities can support diverse forms of civic participation, particularly by enhancing accessibility, fostering reflection, and generating policy-relevant data. However, a consistent trade-off emerged between the breadth of digital reach and the depth of deliberative engagement. In addition, partially-implemented case studies provided valuable insights into the organisational, institutional, and timing-related factors that shape whether participatory innovations can progress from design to delivery, highlighting the importance of process learning alongside measurable outcomes. Findings highlight the potential of hybrid formats, combining digital platforms with facilitated interaction, to overcome these limitations. While younger and digitally literate users engaged readily in the PlanetPlay approach, deeper shifts in understanding and civic intent were more evident in structured, in-person settings using the DiBL approach. Across all case studies, institutional integration of citizen input remains limited, pointing to the need for stronger policy partnerships and feedback mechanisms. Methodologically, the project demonstrated the value of combining qualitative and quantitative tools within a flexible, context-responsive framework. Lessons from preparatory phases further suggest that successful implementation depends on early policy alignment, inter-partner coordination, and adaptable design processes capable of responding to evolving institutional priorities. The report calls for future research to focus on longitudinal impact, inclusive design, and scalable models that preserve deliberative quality. It argues that game-based approaches should be embedded within broader systems of participatory governance, education, and policy co-creation, contributing not only to public awareness, but to more democratic and responsive climate action. Documenting of both completed and partially implemented initiatives enhances the project’s contribution to understanding how innovation unfolds in complex, multi-stakeholder research environments.