Wageningen, September 4, 2024 – ZonMw has awarded a €1.5 million grant to the "Wij(k) in Beweging" (WIB) project, a community-based initiative aimed at reducing social inequality through sport and physical activity. The project, utilizing participatory action research, seeks to identify barriers to participation in sports and develop innovative solutions in collaboration with local residents. The consortium driving the project consists of 14 partners, including the municipalities of Amsterdam, Zwolle, and Montferland, Wageningen University & Research, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, and UMC Utrecht. The project will run from November 2024 to September 2027.
In the Netherlands, participation in sports and physical activities is unevenly distributed, with individuals in higher socioeconomic positions engaging far more than those in lower socioeconomic positions. Factors such as poverty, stress, and a lack of role models make it difficult for residents to prioritize physical activity.
Benefits of sports and physical activity
Sports and physical activity provide numerous physical, mental, and social benefits, particularly for people in disadvantaged positions. The "Wij(k) in Beweging" project focuses on identifying barriers and finding solutions by working closely with residents and local stakeholders. This will take place in three neighborhoods serving as 'living labs': Slotermeer (Amsterdam), de Pierik (Zwolle), and Didam (Montferland). Kirsten Verkooijen, project leader of "Wij(k) in Beweging" and associate professor of the Health & Society Group at Wageningen University & Research: "By truly listening to residents and taking their concerns seriously, we aim to radically transform the current system that makes sports and physical activity inaccessible to many. Thinking outside the box will be crucial in this process."
Community-centered participatory action research
Participatory action research places residents at the heart of the process, offering space for systemic innovation. The WIB project not only uncovers the obstacles residents face but also examines the broader systemic factors that perpetuate these challenges. The goal is to break these old patterns and introduce new initiatives that increase accessibility to sports and physical activities, ultimately fostering social equality.
Collaboration for a more inclusive sports environment
The project is carried out in collaboration with a broad consortium of partners: Wageningen University & Research, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, UMC Utrecht, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Expertise Centrum Sterk uit Armoede, Stichting Life Goals Nederland, Municipality of Amsterdam, Municipality of Zwolle, Municipality of Montferland, Team Sportservice Amsterdam, Sportservice Zwolle, Sport Data Valley, and the Mulier Institute. This multidisciplinary collaboration brings together the knowledge and experiences of experts, policymakers, sports and healthcare providers, and researchers to work toward a more inclusive and healthier Netherlands, where everyone can benefit from the advantages of sports and physical activity. Verkooijen: "I believe the sense of urgency to tackle social inequality in sports and physical activity has never been more widely shared. Now is the time to join forces and address this issue together."
