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Europe's
Best
Gamer
A youth exchange where gaming culture meets European co-operation. Hosted at Tvibit during Tromsø's year as European Youth Capital 2026 and in collaboration with the 3rd finals for Norges Beste Gamer.
Gaming culture as youth work
Europe’s Best Gamer is built from Tvibit’s long-running work with gaming, creative technology and youth participation.
Kreativ Teknologi / Tvibit
Kreativ Teknologi (KT) is a digital cultural production and talent development initiative based at Tvibit — Tromsø's youth cultural centre. For years, KT has developed projects at the intersection of game culture, creative technology and youth participation. We are the team behind Norges Beste Gamer (Norway's Best Gamer), a national gaming competition that has grown from a local event in 2017 into a nationwide format spanning qualifiers across Norway and a national final in Tromsø. In 2026, Tromsø holds the title of European Youth Capital — making this the ideal year to bring the Best Gamer concept to a European stage.
Tromsø, Norway
Hosted at Tvibit during Tromsø’s European Youth Capital 2026 year, anchored to a live national gaming final.
Norges Beste Gamer
Started in 2017 as a local event. Now a national multi-city competition celebrating versatile, adaptable gamers — not just specialists in one title. The 2026 national final takes place 18–20 September in Tromsø, and exchange participants will be part of the live audience.
norgesbestegamer.no →Tromsø — European Youth Capital 2026
Tromsø is one of Europe's northernmost cities and holds the European Youth Capital 2026 title under the banner True North 2026. The exchange takes place at the height of the EYC programme, anchored to the NBG national final.
truenorth2026.no →48 people, one shared format
The exchange combines international partner organisations with Norwegian participants and local community involvement.
International partner organisations
Young participants from partner organisations across Europe.
Norway + Tromsø local community
Participants from partner organisations across Norway, including the Tromsø local community via Tvibit.
This is an open call — we welcome applications from youth organisations across Europe.
From playing to building
The exchange is designed to help participants understand, test and adapt the Best Gamer format for their own communities.
Experience the format
Participants take part in a live NBG qualifier, gaining first-hand experience of a non-formal, inclusive approach to gaming competition that goes beyond traditional esports.
Understand the philosophy
Through workshops at Tvibit, participants explore how gaming culture can be used as a tool for youth empowerment, community building, and cultural expression across different national contexts.
Build transferable skills
Participants develop practical competences in event design, facilitation, and cross-cultural collaboration by working together to adapt the Best Gamer format for their own community.
Strengthen European cooperation
The exchange creates lasting connections between youth organisations across Europe with a shared interest in game culture and non-formal education, laying the groundwork for ongoing collaboration.
Connect to a living event
By attending the NBG National Final as part of Tromsø's European Youth Capital programme, participants experience what scaled, community-rooted youth culture looks like in practice — and leave with a concrete reference point for their own work.
A week built around doing
Arrival, workshops, a live qualifier, design sessions, cultural exchange and the NBG national final.
Shape the exchange before September
Optional, but valuable for partner organisations who want to help shape the final scope and content.
Selected partner organisations are invited to take part in an optional preparatory visit to Tromsø, taking place in the late July to early August 2026 period. This is not a mandatory part of participation, but a valuable opportunity for representatives per organisation to visit Tvibit, get a feel for the environment, meet the team, and contribute to shaping the scope and content of the exchange programme before September. Up to 10 people in total — typically one representative and one youth per partner organisation — can participate in the prep visit.
Open to motivated youth organisations
Gaming skill is not the point. Curiosity, openness and youth work engagement matter more.
Target organisations
We welcome applications from youth clubs, gaming or esports organisations, cultural centres, and any youth-focused organisations with an interest in game culture, creative technology, or non-formal education. There is no single profile — what matters is motivation and genuine engagement with young people.
Participant profile
Young people aged 15–30 with an interest in gaming, technology, or creative culture. No competitive gaming experience required — curiosity and openness are more important than skill level. Group leaders should have experience working with youth and ideally some decision-making capacity within their organisation.
What we look for in partners
We are looking for organisations that are active in youth work, open to non-formal education methods, and interested in exploring how gaming culture can serve as a meaningful platform for young people in their community. Prior Erasmus+ experience is helpful but not required. This is an open call — we welcome applications from motivated youth organisations across Europe, regardless of size, sector, or prior experience with gaming.
Travel, stay and reimbursement
Accommodation and meals are covered during the programme. Travel is reimbursed through Erasmus+ distance bands.
Accommodation & meals
Accommodation during the programme is covered by the project. Meals are included for all programme days. Tromsø is well connected by air from most European cities, with direct or one-stop flights available.
Travel reimbursement
Travel costs are reimbursed according to Erasmus+ distance bands, calculated from the location of your sending organisation to Tromsø. Reimbursement is made in EUR upon receipt of original tickets and boarding passes. Full participation in the programme is required.
Erasmus+ distance bands
Watch the finals
The best way to understand what Europe's Best Gamer is built on is to see the NBG finals directly on this page.
NBG Finals #1 — January 2023
The first ever national final at Clarion The Edge, Tromsø. Sixteen players from eight cities competed across multiple game genres. Peter Bråss was crowned Norway's first Best Gamer.
NBG Finals #2 — April 2024
Seven years after starting at Tvibit in 2017, over 500 gamers competed across qualifying rounds. The video follows all finalists through every gaming challenge at Clarion The Edge.