LIKE Project

A five-year research initiative (2017–2022) funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation and ZonMw, LIKE employed a participatory systems approach to foster healthier environments for youth by integrating action-oriented research with systemic analysis. The project centered on Participatory Action Research (PAR), a collaborative methodology where young participants co-designed studies alongside academic researchers to address real-world challenges, ensuring solutions aligned with local contexts and lived experiences. Complementing this was system dynamics, a framework examining underlying systemic mechanisms—including feedback loops, hidden interdependencies, and evolving paradigms—to identify leverage points for sustainable change. Rather than linear interventions, the approach emphasized adaptive strategies responsive to dynamic social and environmental factors. The initiative’s outputs included curated resources, tools, and publications designed to support practitioners in adopting participatory and systemic methodologies. By bridging grassroots engagement with rigorous analytical techniques, LIKE aimed to generate actionable insights for public health and youth empowerment, prioritizing co-creation over top-down solutions. The legacy of the project lies in its open-access materials, which continue to serve as a reference for organizations seeking to implement community-driven, systems-level transformations in health and social equity.

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