Z-FUTURE II

GenZ for careers of the future

The second edition of the extremely successful project of the 3rd Dragon Association in 2026 aimed at strengthening the capacities of young people for future careers through a series of educational activities and events.

↓ ART COMPETITION ↓

More about the project

Briefly about the project

GenZ for Future Careers (Z-FUTURE II) is the second edition of the highly successful project of the 3rd Dragon Association and partners in 2026 aimed at strengthening the capacities of young people for future careers through a series of educational activities and events. The project uses various methodologies to provide young people with the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful entry into the video game industry and digital arts, while promoting inclusion, creativity and safety in the digital world.


Project objectives

  • To empower young people for careers in the video game industry and digital arts by providing practical knowledge and skills.
  • Promote inclusion and diversity through art and technology.
  • To encourage the creativity of young people through an art and literary competition and exhibition of works.
  • Connecting young people with industry experts and mentoring support to develop their careers.


Activities

  • Lectures in high schools: "What is Global Game Jam - how to make a game in 48 hours"
  • January 2026
  • held in 4 high schools and 1 faculty: Andrija Mohorovičić Gymnasium, First Sušačka Croatian Gymnasium in Rijeka, High School for Electrical Engineering and Computing, Technical School Rijeka and Academy of Applied Arts in Rijeka


  • "Global Game Jam Rijeka 2026" competition, a two-day team competition in video game development
  • 30.1. - 1.2.2026.
  • 50 participants, with 11 games produced, 3 of which were produced by high school students


  • Workshop - Character Design for Video Games
  • Serena Vanić, Designa craft
  • 24.2.2026.


  • Workshop - Story and Narrative in Video Games
  • David Kelečić, Crazy Labs Video Game Studio
  • 27.2.2026


  • Panel - How to Design Video Games Inclusively
  • 11.3.2026., Rijeka City Library
  • Moderated by Valentina Mišković Yoe, Rivira
  • Tihana Grotić, Master of Educational Rehabilitation, OSI
  • Mihael Diklić, Cripple-A Video Game Studio, OSI
  • Tino Vodanović, University of Rijeka, OSI
  • Benjamin Noah Maričak, Croatian Audiovisual Center
  • Dominik Štrok, Faculty of Civil Engineering in Rijeka, producer of the game "Unseen" for the blind and visually impaired


  • Art competition "Character Design - Inclusive Video Game Superhero"
  • competition for high school students, applications open from 17.3.-24.4.2026.


  • Expo Gamers - 29.-30.5.2026, Opatija
  • Various educational and entertaining lectures and workshops as part of the program, intended for pupils and students.


  • Award Ceremony and Exhibition of Works from the Art Competition "Character Design - Inclusive Video Game Superhero" at Expo Gamers


THE SECOND PART OF THE PROJECT IS ANNOUNCED, fall 2026.

  • Creating a professional portfolio for creative digital industries
  • Sound and music in games and movies
  • Character animation for video games
  • 3D modeling and texturing for games
  • 2026 Reign


The project was funded by the Kultura Nova Foundation, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.

ART COMPETITION FOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Character Design - Inclusive Video Game Hero


The "3rd Dragon" association invites all high school students in Croatia to participate in the art and literary competition Character Design - Inclusive Video Game Hero (character design for a video game).


The goal of the competition is to encourage young creatives to design original and inclusive characters for video games and to reward and exhibit the best.

Inclusivity in design means that characters can represent different identities and communities – for example, people with disabilities, different ethnicities, gender and sexual identities, different physical features, or other elements that promote diversity and equality in the gaming industry.

The best works will be awarded valuable prizes and presented at an exhibition during the Expo Gamers 2026 event.