Larp with Erasmus: A Quantitative Study of Live Action Roleplay Projects 2014-2022

Live action roleplay has emerged as a significant pedagogical and civic tool within the European Union, supported by approximately 5.77 million euros in funding through the Erasmus+ program between 2014 and 2022. This quantitative analysis of 111 transnational projects reveals a steady upward trend in financial support, reflecting the formal integration of roleplay methodologies into broader European cultural and educational policies. While these initiatives span 22 countries, the distribution of resources remains geographically concentrated, with Poland, Estonia, and Denmark serving as the primary hubs for project development and implementation.

The primary objective of these funded initiatives is not the advancement of roleplay as an artistic medium, but rather the utilization of larp as a vehicle for achieving specific policy outcomes. Nearly 90 percent of the analyzed projects prioritize social objectives, including the promotion of democracy, tolerance, social inclusion, and the enhancement of employability skills. By framing roleplay as a structured educational methodology, these projects have successfully established a specialized cultural policy industry that bridges the gap between creative community practices and formal institutional goals.

Ultimately, the widespread adoption of these techniques demonstrates the versatility of roleplay in fostering civic engagement and personal development across diverse European populations. The data confirms that edu-larp has transitioned from a niche hobbyist activity to a recognized, institutionalized framework for addressing contemporary societal challenges. This shift has fundamentally influenced both the design of roleplay experiences and the professional practices of the communities involved, cementing the role of interactive simulation as a legitimate instrument for youth work and international cooperation.