P4Play People, Place, and Practice for Play

P4Play was part of the EU’s Horizon2020, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action project to develop and implement a European Joint Doctorate (EJD). The project was coordinated by University College Cork (Ireland) together with Luleå University of Technology (Sweden). Other partners were Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (Scotland), and Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

The project involved eight doctoral researchers, four of whom were affiliated with LTU. The overall research goal was to develop new knowledge about play and play deprivation, the effects of physical, sociocultural, and political factors on opportunities for play, and the creation of innovative solutions to address barriers and enable play in different environments for the benefit of children, families, and communities. The P4Play programme addressed four areas: play as an activity, the influence of policy on opportunities for play, different play spaces, and the role of play in rehabilitation.

The P4Play project has now been completed. The EU’s final report on the project was very positive, highlighting its scientific and societal impact with exceptional results and significant immediate effects. In summary, the project resulted in 16 scientific articles and 14 popular science publications. The research has contributed to the development of new guidelines for inclusive play environments, assessment tools for playgrounds, and insights into how schools and communities can promote play for children with diverse needs. The project has had a strong societal impact and wide outreach, engaging municipalities, schools, and organizations in the work for more inclusive play environments. Children’s voices have been brought forward in urban planning and schoolyard design.

Today, P4Play continues as an international network for research and advocacy, with the aim of strengthening children’s right to play and social inclusion across Europe.

• P4PLAY
  Read more about P4Play on the international website of the project.
• Project description on EU website.