Ilona Schra’s first encounter with Participatory Action Research was during the Master’s programme in Healthy Ageing Professional in Groningen in 2020. During this master’s programme, she launched the social innovation ‘Oermodern Ouderschap’. In developing ‘Oermodern Ouderschap’, she has already made extensive use of aspects of Participatory Action Research. ‘Oermodern Ouderschap’ has since grown into a foundation, which was established in the summer of 2026. Oermodern Ouderschap aims to increase collaborative parenting by connecting families with one another. Collaborative parenting means supporting one another in parenting on practical, social, emotional and normative levels. As part of the PAR Practitioners Programme, Ilona has applied PAR within Oermodern Ouderschap to work together towards building a family-friendly Hoogeveen.
She thrives on chaos and change, although she is always on the lookout for peace and structure. Since mid-2025, Ilona has been working as a researcher on the PAR engagement programme for FNO Samen Kansrijk en Gezond. She thoroughly enjoys working alongside her colleagues at SevenSenses on this project.
I feel a strong sense of social commitment and am keen to work towards a more socially conscious world. For example, I serve as a board member for the welfare organisation Stichting Bind in the municipality of Staphorst. I also work alongside enthusiastic parents to expand the ‘Oermodern Ouderschap’ programme, including in Meppel.
Ilona lives with her family in IJhorst. Alongside her work and family, she is a keen runner: “I’ve now run several marathons and get immense pleasure from them. It also brings balance to my work and private life and contributes to my mental health.”