Behind Every Card: A Story of CollaborationIn a world where fast-paced interactions often overshadow meaningful dialogue, Connection Vibes brings something refreshingly different to the table — or rather, to the circle. Over the past few months, youth workers and young people from Romania, Cyprus, and Italy have come together to test an innovative conversation card game designed to facilitate deeper emotional connection and inclusive dialogue across diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
The Game as a Gateway to Vulnerability
At the heart of Connection Vibes is a simple yet profound goal: to create space for young people to feel seen, heard, and valued. The game — still in its prototype phase — uses carefully designed prompts and questions to spark honest, vulnerable conversations. From laughter to silence, from reflection to connection, the sessions have revealed the game’s true potential: it doesn’t just ask questions, it opens doors.
Participants described feeling safe to speak openly about topics they had never discussed before. “It was the first time I felt I could say what I really think — and be listened to without interruption,” said one young participant during a testing session in Italy. This feedback echoes one of the central principles in youth work: holding space — the act of being fully present, without judgment, and creating an emotionally safe environment for others to share.
Behind Every Card: A Story of Collaboration
What makes Connection Vibes even more meaningful is the process behind its creation. The game is not just a product; it’s the result of a shared journey among the three project partners:
🔹 Schimbare cu Sens SRL (Romania)
🔹 The Serendipitous Black Cloud Ltd (Cyprus)
🔹 Youmore APS (Italy)
Each organization brought its own perspective, methodologies, and cultural nuances to the design process. From social psychology and trauma-informed practices to participatory youth work and inclusive education, the expertise woven into each step of the co-creation process reflects a genuine commitment to inclusivity and emotional depth.
This collaboration also modeled one of the most important messages we hope the game will teach: connection starts with shared effort and trust. As partners, we worked through differences, explored challenges, and created something greater than the sum of our parts — a living example of what happens when we hold space for each other in the creative process.
Sharing as a Practice, Not Just a Principle
One key insight that has emerged throughout the project is this: sharing is not just an outcome, it is a method. Whether it’s sharing stories through the cards, sharing responsibilities among partners, or sharing feedback across borders, this principle has guided our work. Sharing has proven to be a good practice with real impact — strengthening relationships, enriching the project, and deepening the tools we are building.
It is not surprising that a tool born from co-creation is now empowering others to co-create meaning in their own circles. The game is doing exactly what it was designed to do: inspire meaningful connection.
What’s Next?
With the prototype tested in all three countries and rich feedback collected, we are now moving toward refinement and preparation for wider dissemination. Youth workers will be trained to use the game, and the final version will be released alongside a facilitation manual and training methodology.
As we move into this next phase, we carry with us a powerful reminder: deep conversations don’t just happen — they’re held, nurtured, and shared. And that’s exactly what Connection Vibes is here to support.