At the Institute 4 Preventive Health (i4PH), we believe in fostering transdisciplinary collaboration to address complex societal challenges. But sometimes, the most impactful initiatives emerge without our intervention—driven by shared values, complementary expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive health.

We’re proud to spotlight two newly funded NWO projects under the call Breaking Barriers for an Inclusive Living Environment that exemplify this spirit: ELLI, led by Masi Mohamadi (TU/e), and SPACES, led by Heidi Lesscher (UU). Both researchers are active members of our i4PH community, and both projects bring together multiple EWUU partners in powerful collaborations.

While ELLI focuses on creating empathic neighborhoods for older adults, SPACES reimagines urban spaces to support children with disabilities or chronic diseases in play and sport. Each project shows how preventive health research can make a real difference—and how our community helps bring together different fields to create impact.

Building Empathic Neighborhoods Together: ELLI Project Kicks Off

We’re proud to share that Masi Mohamadi, full Professor and chair of Smart Architectural Technologies (TU/e), is leading the research project ELLI: Empathic Living Labs for Inclusive Neighbourhoods for Older Adults, one of six initiatives awarded €2.3 million in funding by NWO.

The project explores how smart socio-spatial environments can serve as a catalyst for autonomy, inclusion, and preventive health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults and people with cognitive impairments. ELLI brings together a transdisciplinary consortium of researchers, designers, technologists, policy actors, care providers, and citizens. Two living labs will be established in Waalre and Emmen, functioning as real-life testing grounds for co-creation, behavioural observation, and systemic innovation.

At the core lies a layered empathic design approach, combining advanced technologies, such as AI, interactive interfaces, infrastructures, and monitoring, with socio-spatial design strategies. By integrating design, technology, and inclusive policy development, ELLI aims to advance both theoretical models of inclusive environments and actionable strategies for systems innovation in health and care. Partners include TU/e, HAN, WUR, UU, HU, LUMC/NELL, RHDHV, Treant, WoonInc, the Municipality of Waalre, and DEEL Academy.

SPACES: Creating Inclusive Urban Spaces for Children

We’re also proud to highlight the launch of the SPACES project, a transdisciplinary initiative led by Heidi Lesscher, associate professor in Behavioural Neuroscience and co-chair at Dynamics of Youth (UU). The project has been awarded over 2 million euros by NWO.

SPACES aims to promote participation in play and sport activities for children with a disability or chronic disease by reimagining urban physical spaces. Early childhood participation in leisure activities is vital for mental health, self-esteem, and long-term well-being. Yet, urban environments are often not designed with inclusivity in mind, leaving many children excluded from meaningful play and sport experiences.

The project brings together a strong consortium of academic and societal partners, including: Utrecht University, UMCU Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht Municipality, Stichting Mensenkenners, LAPPSET, MUST, Empower Mij Projecten, INK Social Design Bureau, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and RIVM, K-J Projects / Wheelchair Skills Team, Stichting het Gehandicapte Kind, Speelnatuur, Sport Utrecht, Solgu (Municipal Consultation for People with Physical Disabilities Utrecht), Cartesius Living Lab, InContact Bijzonder / Samen voor Elkaar 030

Together, these partners will identify barriers and facilitators in the built environment and co-create innovative solutions that enable all children to participate fully in play and sport. The SPACES project is a powerful step toward designing cities that truly include every child.

We wish both projects the best of luck!