The KIDGREENS project is designed to empower children to actively shape their neighborhoods through participatory action research (Cox and Robinson-Pant, 2008). By placing children at the center, the project will explore, plan, and implement innovations that enhance their neighborhood experiences. Through collaborative development sessions, children will be encouraged to voice their concerns and propose solutions from their unique perspectives.
The project’s core goal is to give children agency in their communities and engage them as co-researchers. By studying resilience in urban areas, they will develop practical and innovative changes for their neighborhoods. Additionally, the project aims to advance methods for collaborative research with children and build experience in encouraging youth-led collective action.
KIDGREENS is funded by a Resilient Delta Kick-Starter grant in 2024, funded by Convergence, a joint initiative of TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Erasmus MC.
Who are the researchers?
This project is led by: Julia Steenwegen, Youth & Family, Department of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, EUR. Co-applicants: Dr. Joyce Weeland, Assistant Professor, Youth & Family, Department of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, EUR, Annabel Vreeker, Researcher Erasmus MC and Assistant Professor Youth and Family, Dr. Lore Van Praag, Assistant Professor Governance and Pluralism EUR, Mathieu Gielen, Assistant Professor Design for Children’s Play TU Delft, Dr.ir.NikoVegt, Senior Researcher, EUR & TU Delft, Julia Ham Locatiemanager IMC weekendschool Delfshaven.