Young People Come Together for Mind Games Training and Tournaments

Learning through Play, Growing Stronger Together

As part of “Mind Games, Digitalisation and Disaster Awareness: A Journey towards the Future for Young People”, KOZ-DER organised mind games training and tournaments with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye. The activities combined opportunities to learn and practise game rules with a social setting where young people could spend time together.

Designed to empower young people in Kilis affected by the 6 February earthquakes, the project received TRY 910,000 in grant support and was planned with an implementation schedule of approximately eight months. The programme for young people aged 14–29 brought mind games together with robotics and coding, digital skills, disaster awareness, psychosocial support and cultural-social activities.

Mind Games Training with Our Trainers

With contributions from Mevlide Özkaraca and Özlem Çiloğlu, participants explored different mind games, learned their rules and tried them in practice. Gathering around game tables, they had opportunities to apply what they learned and consider different moves.

The training aimed to support attention, analytical thinking, problem-solving and strategic thinking. Thinking ahead, comparing options and adapting to changing situations within a game formed important parts of the learning approach.

Practical sessions enabled participants to take an active role by trying games themselves. Interaction around different games created space for learning together and sharing experiences.

From Training to Tournaments

Game activities and tournaments complemented the training by providing a setting where young people could use the rules they had learned and the strategies they had developed. Playing against different opponents gave participants opportunities to reflect on their moves and broaden their experience.

The aim was to bring the excitement of competition together with learning. Respect for rules, taking turns, patience and respect for opponents were valued alongside game skills. Gaining experience, trying again and enjoying time together were also part of the process.

The photo gallery brings together moments from practice at the training tables, tournament activities and time shared with participants.

A Learning Space Supporting Social Participation

Alongside supporting cognitive skills, the mind games component aimed to bring young people together and strengthen social connections. Game tables became meeting spaces for communication, participation within shared rules and interaction with different people.

Learning, social participation and solidarity were addressed within the same programme for disaster-affected young people. Mind games training and tournaments complemented the project’s approach to supporting personal development and social participation.

Thank You

KOZ-DER thanks the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye for its support, our trainers Mevlide Özkaraca and Özlem Çiloğlu for their work and contributions to the mind games training, our organising team and all young people who took part in the training and tournaments.

We continue to create spaces where young people can learn, work together and grow stronger in solidarity.