After successful internal trials during the Alpha Testing phase, the EcoTrade board game was ready to take the next big step — testing with real users.

After successful internal trials during the Alpha Testing phase, the EcoTrade board game was ready to take the next big step — testing with real users.
The Beta Testing phase marked the project’s transition from in-house development to external pilot sessions involving VET trainers and students in Spain, Italy, and Greece.

This stage was all about validation — confirming that the game not only functioned smoothly but also delivered meaningful learning experiences about international trade, sustainability, and eco-conscious decision-making.

🎯 From Internal Insights to External Classrooms

Between 22–30 September 2025, each partner organisation conducted multiple testing sessions in their local contexts.
Where the Alpha phase had focused on fine-tuning mechanics internally, the Beta phase aimed to see how well the game performed when placed in real classrooms and training environments.

Each organisation gathered a diverse mix of participants — including VET students, teachers, and trainers — to play, discuss, and evaluate the game’s educational potential.

The testing process followed a clear structure:
1️⃣ Pre-Test Form – Participants completed a short survey to measure their initial understanding of sustainability and trade.
2️⃣ Game Session – Small groups played EcoTrade for 60–90 minutes, guided by a facilitator.
3️⃣ Post-Test Form – Participants reflected on what they learned and provided feedback on gameplay, clarity, and engagement.

This approach ensured that both quantitative and qualitative feedback were collected, helping the consortium assess how well EcoTrade met its pedagogical goals.

🧩 Key Adjustments and Insights

The Beta Testing revealed how engaging and relevant the EcoTrade board game was for real learners — but it also provided essential insights for refinement.

Here’s what changed after the first external play sessions:
✅ Simplified rules: clearer explanations made the game easier for students to follow.
✅ Card improvements: shipment cards were redesigned with color-coded regions and icons for better visual understanding.
✅ Balanced gameplay: transport types, costs, and sustainability scoring were fine-tuned for fairness and consistency.
✅ Stronger educational flow: reflection questions and post-game discussions were added to help link gameplay to real-life sustainability challenges.

Trainers appreciated that EcoTrade could be adapted for different learning levels and subjects, from logistics and economics to environmental education.
Students, on the other hand, loved the sense of competition and teamwork — describing the experience as “learning without realizing it.”

🌱 Building Engagement and Green Skills

Through the Beta Testing phase, EcoTrade proved its potential as a game-based learning tool that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and green awareness.
Participants didn’t just play a game — they simulated real-life trade scenarios, debated decisions, and reflected on the consequences of their actions.

This process allowed learners to understand how their everyday choices connect to global systems — from carbon emissions to ethical sourcing — aligning perfectly with the EU Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

🚀 The Road Ahead

With Beta Testing successfully completed, the project team moved forward with confidence toward its final deliverables:

🧭 a Trainer’s Guide to support educators,

🎥 a video tutorial explaining gameplay, and

🌐 a digital Tabletopia version to make EcoTrade accessible online.

These next steps will ensure that EcoTrade reaches a wider audience of teachers and students, becoming a long-lasting tool for sustainability education.

The Beta phase showed that learning by playing works — not just as a method, but as a mindset.
EcoTrade now stands as proof that game-based learning can transform complex global topics into inspiring classroom experiences. 🌍