Background: Citizens in deprived areas have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and being socially excluded. Locally engaged interventions have a positive impact on the health of the citizens. Therefore, co-creation can be a suitable strategy to prevent type 2 diabetes melli-tus. Citizens who are at risk of being socially excluded find it more difficult to mobilize re-sources to change their health behavior. Furthermore, their participation in community activi-ties is reduced. These factors can challenge the involvement of citizens in deprived areas.

Purpose: This thesis aims to subject opportunities and barriers in public participation in co-creation within a deprived area. Based on this knowledge the thesis creates recommendations for a strategy regarding co-creation in a deprived area to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methodology: The methodology of this thesis is a qualitative study and a literature study. The qualitative data is based on individual, semi structured interviews with key stakeholders from an existing co-creation project in a deprived area. Together with the literature study, the qualitative study forms the basis of an analysis using Niklas Luhmann’s theory of systems and trust. The recommendations from this thesis are presented using a logic model.

Results: The identified opportunities and barriers involving citizens in co-creation are present-ed as four overall themes: (1) Collaboration among key stakeholderes, (2) collaboration be-tween stakeholders and citizens, (3) activities, and (4) structural framework. Based on oppor-tunities and barriers five recommendations for co-creation in a deprived area have been made.

Conclusion: The five recommendations for co-creation from this thesis are: (1) In Co-creation a common understanding between citizens and key stakeholders and among key stakeholder should be established. (2) The citizens should be gradually. (3) Co-creation activities should form a community for the citizens in the area. (4) Key stakeholders should create a local sec-retariat. (5) Co-creation should involve relevant stakeholders. These recommendations should be implemented in a super setting in order to enhance the prevention of type 2 diabetes melli-tus.