“Can you do something original and interactive to help us communicate better with citizens?” This was the challenge issued to ESN by the European Parliament mid-2009. ESN drew on its web development skills and knowledge of social networking and communications to come up with several ideas centred on the growing field of serious games and online community building. And Citzalia was born, an animated role-playing platform with sophisticated social networking functions and tools. Citzalia is a world within the world of European politics, where people from all over Europe can simply log in and take part, in real-time. Citzalia citizens or “Citz” can create and style their own avatars and surroundings, interact with each other, build contacts, display their expertise and wares, and debate/vote on political issues and global challenges – just like a member of parliament. By contributing to the discussion, adding content and showing interest, Citzalia users accumulate marbles (or action points) which are converted to ‘XP points’ that appear on their profiles. The points can be used as tender for upgrades, renting space in the virtual Parliament, and much more. “Citzalia is demoncracy at its best,” according to ESN’s in-house team who developed it. They also claim it’s the first and biggest project to use ESN’s whole skill set. A quick look at the tasks performed in this ongoing labour of love and you would have to agree. Try it for yourself! www.citzalia.eu