Title: Justurbanities: Game-Based Learning to Support Socially Just Transition in Cities

In the context of the current “multi-crisis era,” local governments face increasing responsibility in supporting actions and policies that lead to a climate transition which is both accessible and affordable for all. A socially just transition is a complex process that, more than previous transition efforts, requires the equal engagement of local communities, local stakeholders, and local authorities within sustainable participatory governance structures. Such engagement presupposes substantial learning processes for all parties involved, particularly in relation to citizen participation, climate and social justice, and the co-creation of strategies. This paper examines how municipal authorities can learn to use innovative participatory frameworks to bridge the gap between institutional policymaking and citizen action, with a particular focus on disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods. Drawing on the Justurbanities project, the study explores a shift from passive consultation towards active co-design through the use of digital game-based learning (GBL). By establishing Local Stakeholders’ Panels that bring together civil servants, educators, and residents, the project creates a collaborative governance space in which local needs and future climate scenarios are jointly defined. The paper highlights how a game-based learning tool can support local governments in lowering barriers to participation and in fostering a shared understanding of resilience among marginalised groups and municipal employees. The findings suggest that embedding pedagogical and gamified tools into local policy implementation can help transform citizens from passive recipients of climate policies into active partners within governance networks, thereby grounding the transition towards sustainable cities in local knowledge and democratic legitimacy.