From system mapping to co-created interventions for children’s outdoor play in Poland

Background

Participatory approaches increasingly emphasise multi-actor co-creation of health-promoting environments, yet less is known about how priorities for action are identified within complex systems in socio-economically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods.

Aim

To identify key determinants and leverage points for children’s outdoor play and co-create context-relevant interventions in disadvantaged urban settings.

Materials and methods

During the co-creation phase (2025–2026), 18 sessions with children, 6 with adults and 1 joint session were conducted with 29 children (7–12 years) and 10 stakeholders in a socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhood (Praga Północ, Warsaw). Participatory and systems thinking methods were applied, including storytelling, photovoice and cognitive mapping. Separate causal loop diagrams and system maps were developed for children and adults and then integrated into a shared system map using Vensim to identify leverage points.

Results

System maps revealed complementary perspectives of children (experience, comfort and attractiveness) and adults (organisation, safety and governance), while identifying shared domains such as social relationships, time, accessibility, attractiveness and safety. Seven leverage points were prioritised and interventions were proposed, including improving access to school playgrounds after hours, enhancing safety, developing infrastructure (e.g. water fountains), creating information systems on local activities, and increasing the attractiveness and social use of outdoor spaces.

Conclusions

Integrating children’s lived experiences with adult system perspectives supports the identification of feasible and context-sensitive interventions in socio-economically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, where complex and interrelated barriers require multi-level solutions.

Key messages

• Co-creating with children and adults revealed key barriers and leverage points for outdoor play, combining lived experience with system perspectives in disadvantaged urban settings.

• Context-sensitive solutions like safer spaces, better access, or attractive infrastructure can boost children’s outdoor play through multi-level, co-created interventions,