Building bridges: A co-creation intervention preparatory project based on female Syrian refugees' experiences with physical activity

Participation in sports and physical activities is perceived as a means of increasing well-being and foster social inclusion of refugees in their new host societies. However, researchers criticize the existing approaches in sports-related integration-programs for not taking into account the specific needs and interests of refugees. The purpose of this study was to investigate how female Syrian refugees in collaboration with the municipality and sport and exercise providers could tailor PA to female refugees' wishes and needs. Based on community-based participatory research (CBPR), the study was inspired by a two-phase preparatory intervention model. The initial results indicated that the involved refugees had a broad understanding of PA, awareness of its beneficial effects, a desire to be physical active in a variety of ways and with others, and had experiences with PA from both Syria and Denmark (primarily related to daily routines, recreational activities, and activities with their families). Furthermore, an "expectation gap" between the sports/exercise providers and the refugees concurrently identified the need for preparing providers to work with refugees. Co-creation has demonstrated that collaboration between the refugees and local actors could prove a vital approach when utilizing PA in refugee groups.