At the Institute for Preventive Health (i4PH), we proudly manage a Seed Fund program that supports early-stage research projects, helping them pave the way for larger grant applications. One of the initiatives in this program is Reaching for Success, which was funded in 2023 and focused on the viability of a large-scale longitudinal study on the effects of sports participation on positive mental health outcomes in disadvantaged youth. Collaborations in this Seed Fund project played a crucial role in shaping the Wij(k) in Beweging (WiB) project, enabling it to secure €1.5 million in funding from ZonMw’s Mooi in Beweging program.
Reaching for Success: The Seed Fund Foundation for Wijk in Beweging
We are excited to see how the Seed Fund has helped shape Wij(k) in Beweging, a project dedicated to addressing social inequality through sports and physical activity. The partnerships (e.g. with Stichting Life Goals), research insights (particularly its monitoring and evaluation framework), and strategies developed during Reaching for Success have been instrumental in shaping WiB.
‘The exploration, discussions, and results from Reaching for Success have contributed to the writing of our Wij(k) in Beweging proposal, specifically in the development of work package 4. Additionally, sharing our networks during Reaching for Success helped with building the consortium for Wij(k) in Beweging.”
Kirsten Verkooijen
Both Kirsten Verkooijen (Wageningen University & Research) and Lonneke van Leeuwen (UMC Utrecht), who played key roles in Reaching for Success, are involved in WiB. Kirsten serves as the overall project leader, while Lonneke leads the Monitoring & Evaluation work package.
About the WiB Project
The Wij(k) in Beweging project is committed to reducing health inequities by promoting sports and physical activity, especially among individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for mental, physical, and social well-being, participation remains unequal. WiB seeks to identify and address the barriers that prevent engagement , while co-developing creative solutions with local residents and stakeholders.
WiB focuses on three neighborhoods—Slotermeer (Amsterdam), de Pierik (Zwolle), and Didam (Montferland)—using them as living labs to explore systemic challenges and co-design accessible, context-specific interventions. By employing participatory action research, WiB empowers residents to take charge of the changes needed in their communities, ensuring that solutions are sustainable and relevant.
The project not only addresses individual barriers to participation but also delves into the broader social, economic, and policy factors that perpetuate inequalities in sports participation. WiB promotes community ownership, ensuring that the interventions are long-lasting and tailored to the specific needs of the residents.
In total, WiB brings together 14 diverse partners—including municipalities, universities, and community organizations—all committed to addressing health inequalities and creating a sustainable societal impact.
A Proud Milestone for i4PH
We are happy that our seed fund program has contributed to WiB’s successful €1.5 million funding from ZonMw’s Sports & Physical Activity program. At i4PH, we look forward to seeing how WiB will break down barriers to sports participation and contribute to a more equitable society for all.