Close
On the Way to and from School (OWS)
Active mobility interventions for the promotion of physical activity and mental well-being in adolescents in Bogotá, Colombia and Maputo, Mozambique.
4 January 2023
Overview
This research project is funded by the (GACD) and the UK's (MRC). Additionally, the research team is composed of higher education institutions from Colombia, Mozambique, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as non-governmental organisations that focus on implementing and coordinating community projects.
- Project Outline
OWS will explore the links between active mobility, healthy lifestyle practices, and well-being in underserved adolescent communities from transdisciplinary, intersectional, and distributional perspectives, emphasising diversity and inclusive stakeholder participation.
The project’s comprehensive approach is evident in its focus on two case studies in different global regions (Africa and Latin America). This strategic choice allows us to understand the complexities and opportunities of implementing active mobility interventions in diverse urban contexts in low and middle-income countries. The study includes two case studies in Maputo, Mozambique and Bogotá, Colombia, with a specific aim to explore the feasibility of pilot interventions in disadvantaged urban communities in Maputo, Mozambique.
More information about the programmes:
“” (CCS): Launched in April 2018, CCS is an active mobility programme aimed at children from the age of 5. Based on games and gamification, it encourages safer journeys to school through a structured route and educational activities.
“” (ACB): Launched in September 2013, ACB promotes sustainable modes of transport in public schools. Participants travel by bicycle with the support of guides, learning active mobility habits and responsible bicycle use.
- Research aims
The research aims to establish equitable collaborations across sectors and promote an international dialogue for reducing NCD risks through active mobility interventions. The project is structured into four work packages that will be implemented throughout the project's duration. First, the project will meticulously assess specific implementation outcomes of two existing AMTS interventions in Bogotá, Colombia. Second, innovative citizen science methods will be employed to assess the impact of cycling and walking interventions on physical activity and mental well-being outcomes. Third, the project will rigorously test the feasibility of piloting a similar active mobility intervention among adolescents in disadvantaged urban communities in low-income and low-resource contexts in Maputo, Mozambique.
One of the key aspects of the project is the fair collaboration that is based on knowledge exchange. We will focus on SOUTH-to-SOUTH knowledge transfer in which both contexts will support each other. This will allow us to place Bogotá and Maputo at the heart of the research process.
Transfer of Knowledge
- WP1 - Examining the Implementation of two AMTS interventions in Bogotá, Columbia
- WP2 - Assessing Health and Equilty of AMTS Interventions
- WP 3 - Piloting AMTS Interventions for Healthy Lifestyle Practices and Mental Well-being in Maputo, Mozambique
- Project team
In addition, the research team comprises higher education institutions in Colombia, Mozambique, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as non-governmental organisations that focus on the implementation and coordination of community-based projects. The project is led by , Associate Professor at the Bartlett Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University College London (UCL) and includes collaborators from ten international institutions.
Lead Investigators comprise co-investigators, co-leads, and guides across the four core work packages. Associated Investigators comprise other research team members and will support the development of all four work packages. Three dedicated Boards will oversee the project’s progress through three different lenses. These boards will include diverse international members from academic, non-governmental, and public sectors, students and program beneficiaries, and a group of experts in Mozambique.
For more information on the members of the project, please , or visit the following links:
- University College London | London, United Kingdom
- | London, United Kingdom
- | Newcastle, United Kingdom
- | Bogotá, Colombia
- | Bogotá, Colombia
- | Bogotá, Colombia
- , Maputo’s Offices | Maputo, Mozambique
- | Maputo, Mozambique
- | Maputo, Mozambique
- | Maputo, Mozambique
- | Palo Alto, United States
- | Boston, United States
- Timeline
July 2023 – Official start of the project
September 11-14 2023 – Inception Meeting in London, United Kingdom
December 2023 – Signing of the Collaboration Agreement between all parties involved
Fieldwork in Bogotá, Colombia:
- March 2024 to June 2024: Baseline data collection of CCS and ACB interventions
- March 2024 to May 2024: Our Voice data collection of CCS and ACB interventions
- April 2024 to September 2024: Stakeholder interviews
- August 2024 to October 2024: Follow-up data collection of all components
- October 2024: End of data collection process in Bogotá, Colombia
Ethics Committees Applications:
- UCL Ethics Committee (High-Risk Application) | Pending approval 24 April 2024
- DPU Department Ethics Committee (Low-Risk Application) | Approved January 2024
- Universidad de los Andes Ethics Committee | WP1 Approved August 2023 and WP2 Approved January 2024
- Health District Secretariat in Bogotá, Colombia | WP1 and WP2 applying in May 2024
- Health District Council in Maputo, Mozambique | WP3 applying in the second semester of 2024
Pilot Intervention in Maputo, Mozambique:
- First semester 2025: Expected design of the pilot interventions and assessment of the baseline in Maputo, Mozambique
- Second trimester 2025: Expected implementation of the pilot interventions in Maputo, Mozambique
June 2026 – End of the project
- Additional resources
Do you want to know more about us and the importance of active mobility intervention across geographies?
Check out our for full access to past events. You can find recordings of our project showcases and discussions on active mobility interventions in different geographies.
Picture: Juan David Cortes – Colegio de la Bici – International Dialogue Week from the 29th of April to the 3rd of May 2024.
Picture: Juan David Cortes – Colegio de la Bici – International Dialogue Week from the 29th of April to the 3rd of May 2024.
Picture: Juan David Cortes – Colegio de la Bici – International Dialogue Week from the 29th of April to the 3rd of May 2024.
Picture: Maria Cubillos – Universidad de los Andes – International Dialogue Week from the 29th of April to the 3rd of May 2024.