Did you know that many children in centers for people seeking asylum (CPSAs) suffer from mental health problems? Children in CPSAs experience more post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than Dutch children. According to children’s rights, all children have the right to grow up healthy. Sports can help support that.

That’s why Save the Children, War Child, and UNICEF created the program TeamUp. TeamUp is a sports and play program for children in CPSAs. It helps them feel better emotionally and mentally.

Many young children enjoy participating in TeamUp; however, youth aged 14 to 18 take part less often. They prefer activities outside the CPSA and want more contact with Dutch society. That’s why Save the Children wants these youth to be able to join sports clubs in the Netherlands.

But what makes it easy or difficult for these youth to participate in a sports club? And how can we improve their participation? The project Interaction is looking for answers to these questions.

Interaction was funded by the Dutch Organisation for knowledge and innovation in health, healthcare and well-being (ZonMw): 07440122230006.