Leisure Activities and Environments – Children’s Living Conditions and Health Development 2026 (Sweden)

The Leisure Activities and Environments Programme is a Swedish research funding initiative focused on understanding how children’s leisure environments affect mental, physical, and social health. It funds three-year research projects examining family time, housing, digital spaces, structured activities, and community environments.

The program offers up to SEK 5 million per project and supports evidence-based policy aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Sweden’s public health objectives.

Overview of the Programme

The Leisure Activities and Environments Programme focuses on strengthening research on how children and young people’s leisure time influences their health and development.

It examines everyday environments where children spend time, including home, digital platforms, community spaces, and organized activities.

The goal is to generate evidence that supports healthier, more equal, and more inclusive conditions for children’s upbringing.

Programme Objectives

Core Objectives

• Strengthen evidence on children’s leisure environments
• Improve understanding of mental, physical, and social health outcomes
• Address health inequalities and social exclusion
• Reduce risks of criminal involvement among youth
• Support evidence-based public health policy
• Promote equitable access to leisure opportunities

Policy Alignment

• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Sweden’s national public health policy
• Child welfare and social development frameworks

Key Research Areas

1. Family, Housing, and Local Environment

• Role of family leisure time in child development
• Impact of housing conditions on wellbeing
• Influence of neighbourhood environments
• Access to safe outdoor and community spaces

2. Digital Leisure Spaces

• Children’s use of social media and gaming
• Risks and protective factors in digital environments
• Online safety and wellbeing
• Creation of safe and stimulating digital spaces

3. Structured Leisure Activities

• Organized sports programs
• Cultural and artistic activities
• Youth programs led by adults or organizations
• Role of NGOs and private actors in structured leisure

4. Semi-Structured Activities

• After-school programs and leisure centres
• Youth clubs and community spaces
• Summer camps and informal learning environments
• Social development through guided participation

5. Structural Preconditions

• Access to sports and recreation facilities
• Cultural schools, museums, and nature areas
• Policy decisions on resource allocation
• Initiatives such as Leisure Cards (Fritidskortet)
• Infrastructure shaping access to leisure

Funding Details

Grant Amount

• Up to SEK 5 million per project

Project Duration

• 3-year research projects

Eligibility Criteria

Main Applicant Requirements

• Must hold a doctoral degree (PhD) by application deadline
• Must not submit more than one application as main applicant
• Must have completed prior Forte grant reporting (if applicable)

Employment Conditions

• Project leader must be employed by the host organization
• Employment must cover the entire project duration and workload

Research Team Requirements

• Participating researchers must hold doctoral degrees
• Other contributors may include:
  • Collaboration partners
  • Doctoral students
  • Supporting research staff

Programme Focus

Child Development Perspective

• Mental health and wellbeing
• Physical activity and lifestyle
• Social development and inclusion

Societal Challenges Addressed

• Health inequalities
• Social exclusion
• Youth vulnerability and risk exposure
• Unequal access to leisure opportunities

Research Approach

• Evidence-based policy development
• Multidisciplinary and real-world focus
• Child-centred environmental analysis

Expected Outcomes

• Stronger evidence on children’s leisure impact
• Improved public health policy design
• Better understanding of digital and physical environments
• Reduced inequalities in access to leisure
• Enhanced child wellbeing frameworks
• Safer and more inclusive youth environments

Why This Programme Matters

Public Health Impact

• Improves understanding of childhood health determinants
• Supports mental and physical wellbeing strategies
• Helps reduce long-term health disparities

Social Impact

• Reduces exclusion and inequality among children
• Strengthens community and youth engagement
• Improves safety in digital and physical environments

Policy Impact

• Supports evidence-based policymaking
• Guides investments in youth infrastructure
• Aligns research with national and international child rights frameworks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting without a PhD-qualified main applicant
• Exceeding one application per principal investigator
• Weak alignment with child health and leisure focus
• Ignoring digital environment research requirements
• Inadequate interdisciplinary research design
• Missing employment eligibility conditions

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly link research to child health outcomes
• Include both digital and physical leisure perspectives
• Use interdisciplinary and policy-relevant approaches
• Demonstrate societal impact and real-world application
• Align research with UNCRC and public health goals
• Ensure strong methodological rigor over 3-year scope

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this programme about?

It funds research on how children’s leisure environments affect health and development.

How much funding is available?

Up to SEK 5 million per project.

How long is the project duration?

Three years.

Who can apply?

Researchers with a PhD as the main applicant.

What topics are included?

Family life, housing, digital spaces, structured activities, and community environments.

Is digital leisure included?

Yes, including gaming and social media environments.

What is the main goal?

To improve evidence-based policies supporting children’s health and wellbeing.

Conclusion

The Leisure Activities and Environments Programme is a major Swedish research initiative focused on understanding how children’s everyday environments shape their health and development. By funding long-term, evidence-based research, it aims to reduce inequalities, improve wellbeing, and support policies that create safer and more supportive leisure environments for children and young people.