Duration: 01. 04. 2026 – 31. 03. 2029
DigPlay explores how the digital competencies that young people develop through gaming can be measured and recognised for their future learning and career pathways.
The project develops an innovative game-based digital skills assessment framework aligned with DigComp 3.0. Instead of relying only on traditional tests, DigPlay uses familiar and engaging game environments to help young people demonstrate competencies such as problem solving, managing information, collaboration, content creation, and digital safety.
Over 36 months, seven organisations from Croatia, Ireland, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Italy will work together to design, test and promote a practical assessment model that connects gaming, education and employability. The project will support educators, youth workers and business volunteers with training, tools and resources, while giving young people a more motivating way to understand their digital strengths.
STEP Institute contributes to DigPlay with expertise in research-supported, user-centred learning, educational psychology, gamification, competence-based assessment and youth career guidance. Our role is to help ensure that the DigPlay approach is not only innovative but also evidence-based, practical and inclusive for young people and the educators who support them.
Activities
- Research on digital skills assessment, learner needs and the use of games in education across partner countries.
- Development of a game-based assessment framework aligned with DigComp 3.0, including practical templates and indicators.
- Creation of the DigPlay platform, enabling students and teachers to access assessment activities, feedback, progress tracking and career-related guidance.
- Training of teachers, youth workers and business volunteers to support the use of DigPlay in schools, youth centres and other learning settings.
- Piloting of the DigPlay approach with young people in partner countries, including VET schools, youth centres and gaming-related events.
- Dissemination of results through campaigns, events, toolkits, policy activities and open-access resources to support wider use across Europe.
Impact
DigPlay brings added value both for young people and for educators/youth workers, as it develops and tests a more objective way of recognising digital competences through video games. For teachers and youth workers, this represents a new and innovative method for assessing digital competences, while for young people it offers an engaging and motivating way to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and potential.
The project also represents an important innovation for companies and policymakers, as it is based on the DigComp 3.0 framework — a recognised competence model at the European level. By developing an evidence-based method that responds to the needs of young people, DigPlay will provide clearer feedback on learners’ competences and contribute to a more inclusive, practical and Europe-wide comparable approach to digital skills assessment.
By turning play into proof, DigPlay aims to make digital competencies more visible, assessments more meaningful and digital education more inclusive.
The role of STEP Institute
We support research and lead the development of the game-based assessment framework, helping define how digital competences (based on DigComp 3.0) can be observed and recognised through gameplay. We also contribute to training materials, demonstrators and practical resources that make DigPlay easier to use in schools and youth settings.
Through this, STEP helps ensure that DigPlay keeps young people at the centre: making their digital strengths visible, supporting educators with practical tools, and turning Play into Proof.
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