Oasis Game was developed by Elos Institute in Brazil in 2003. Oasis Game involves inviting a community to create and collectively build a project chosen by the people living in the area. The game is based on communities and volunteers co-operatively designing and building projects that affect the residents (such as building a park, day care centre or a public square). The game involves representatives from NGOs, local government and residents of the neighbourhoods. The word oasis reflects the notion that a community can work collaboratively and imaginatively in a short period of time by building a "modern oasis" that promotes joy and restoration.

As the game revolves around the aspirations of the community and are not fixed, the goals can relate to climate resilience.

Developing and realising a community’s shared dream and focusing on unlocking the community's confidence. Focusing on dreams rather than difficulties.

Some situations in which an Oasis Game can be developed:

• Launching a community development plan with neighbours
• Disseminating values through practice
• Promoting radical change in the culture of a community or group
• Encouraging and developing group work 

The game is based on volunteers and professionals adopting 'characters' to help make the game happen.

For the game to succeed, cards with different characters are assigned to the volunteers and/or professionals. Each character has a specific task that will help ensure that the game can be completed (realise the dream the community has). 

There are many 'characters' in the Oasis Game. 

• A facilitator accompanies the whole process and facilitates the main activities of the project. 
• Oracles are experienced facilitators chosen by the group. They help with the methodology of the project.
• A time keeper ensures that activities are done on time.
• A storyteller and cybernaut communicate what is happening in the project to the wider community through social media and other platforms. 
• A host welcomes all those interested in the project and presents what is being done. 
• A lighttower takes care of everyone involved. 
• Little winds ensure that participants have the needed materials and give out refreshments. 
• A guardian angel ensures the safety of the activities and watches out for any potential risks.
• A gnome ensures that potential activities do not harm the environment and suggests ways in which harm to nature can be minimised.
• A chaser collects the needed resources for the activities such as tools and materials. 
• A keeper ensures that all the materials are kept in a safe space/returned to their owners. 
• A sponsor might give their tools/material for the use of the activities. 

--> Then these 'characters' form a team and reach out to the rest of the community and start executing their tasks by developing common dreams and acitivites that will be made concrete by the end of the game.

The game should be completed withing two weekends. 

When volunteers/professionals know their 'character' (role) in the activity, they form a team with people from the community (their neighbours, friends or university or institutional members). These teams should have at least five people in them. The teams then get familiar with each other. 

There are seven phases of Oasis Game that the teams follow:

1. Appreciative gaze- Observe the neihgbourhood and look for opportunities. The aim of this step is for the people participating to appreciate their surroundings and the beauty that can be found in their neighbourhood. It's also a way for the teams to get to know the community dynamics better. 

2. Affection- Meet and talk with local people, connect with them. It's encouraged that the participants go to more unfamiliar places and talk to new people; leave their comfort zones. The teams should talk and visit local labourers such as craftsmen, cooks, fishermen etc. to get a sense of who are the people 'behind the beauty' of the community.  

3. Dream- Share dreams (actions to be taken) and build images of what everyone would like to accomplish. The teams can invite community members to a communal meeting to share these dreams collectively.  

4. Care- Plan and put together resources. Share the experiences of the previous phases to community members in an informal meet-up.  

5. Miracle- Professionals and volunteers working together to make it happen. 

6. Celebration- Share the joy of accomplishment. 

7. Regeneration- Create visions of the future. 

The game is complete when a 'dream' has been made concrete. Here are a few examples of dreams that could be made concrete in the span of a few days. These dreams have been taken from the Burrenbridge, Co Down Oasis Game case study (https://walkoutwalkon.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/OasisBurrenbridgeStory.pdf). Examples of collective dreams from the Burrenbridge case study: having a shed restored, holding a barbeque, creating a natural play area for children and a football pitch. Quite quickly the community mobilised itself and started working on these different 'dreams' collectively over two days. 

Elos Oasis. Elos Methodology. To awake and give impulse to communities through fast actions with high impact. Retrieved from  https://awakeningplace.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/oc3a1sis-traning_english_-rede.pdf

Global Ecovillage Network. Oasis Game. https://ecovillage.org/solution/oasis-game/

Oasis Games. Emotive Program. Retrieved from https://www.emotiveprogram.org/project/oasis-game/ 

Oasis Game in Brazil sheds light on children’s vulnerable situation. (2018, March 20). Child in the City. Retrieved from https://www.childinthecity.org/2018/03/20/oasis-game-in-brazil-sheds-light-on-childrens-vulnerable-situation/ 

The story of Oasis in Burrenbridge, Co Down. (2022, March). Retrieved from https://walkoutwalkon.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/OasisBurrenbridgeStory.pdf