- Convenor:
-
Ines Francisco
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- Format:
- Workshop
Short Abstract
This workshop focuses on citizen science funding models, analyzing their sustainability, accessibility, and ethics. It will present a protocol for mobilizing diverse funding sources, engaging stakeholders through interactive sessions to ensure long-term support and inclusive ownership of CS.
Description
This workshop will center on the topic of funding models for citizen science initiatives, aiming to ensure their long-term sustainability and inclusiveness. Building on a comprehensive appraisal of existing funding frameworks—including grant-based funding, crowdfunding, industry partnerships, self-funding, and awards—participants will explore the strengths and challenges of each approach in terms of accessibility, accountability, and adherence to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles.
A key outcome of the workshop will be the presentation and collaborative refinement of a newly developed protocol designed to guide citizen science projects in mobilizing diverse and sustainable funding sources. This protocol has been crafted through extensive research, case studies, and direct input from practitioners, funders, and other stakeholders within the citizen science community.
Through interactive roundtables and group activities, attendees representing quadruple helix actors (academia, industry, civil society, and public authorities) will engage in mutual learning to discuss real-world challenges and opportunities related to funding sustainability. These discussions aim to foster a shared sense of ownership and responsibility across all sectors involved, promoting inclusive governance and ethical practices in funding citizen science.
Accepted contributions
Short Abstract
The amai! program in Flanders demonstrates a four-phase funding model for inclusive, citizen-driven AI research. It combines public calls, co-creation, and citizen juries to foster inclusive governance, empower citizens, and ensure societal relevance in AI innovation.
Abstract
The amai! program in Flanders (Belgium) offers an innovative funding model for citizen science projects in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing inclusivity, societal relevance, and democratic governance. This contribution presents a case study of a four-phase approach that actively involves citizens in formulating research questions, co-creating project proposals, selecting projects through public voting and citizen juries, and implementing the funded proposals in a participatory manner.
The funding structure is based on an open call for proposals, inviting consortia from the quadruple helix (academia, industry, government, and civil society) to submit proposals for societally relevant AI R&I based on citizen-generated ideas. Projects are evaluated on their societal value, AI innovation, and degree of citizen participation. The combination of expert review, public voting, and citizen juries in the selection of proposals ensures both quality and societal legitimacy.
During the workshop, we can reflect on the strengths and challenges of this model and explore how the amai! protocol can inform broader guidelines for sustainable funding in citizen science; as well as formulate challenges we encountered specifically related to the long-term sustainability of funded projects, such as securing follow-up funding, maintaining stakeholder engagement beyond the initial project phase, and embedding results structurally within policy or practice.
Short Abstract
Drawing on my experience coordinating national Open Calls for Citizen Science projects, I aim to contribute insights on funding accessibility and sustainability. My focus is on how diverse actors—schools, NGOs, and research institutions—navigate funding challenges while ensuring inclusiveness.
Abstract
I would like to join this workshop to share experiences and learn from others about sustainable funding models for citizen science. As a program coordinator at the Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN, Serbia), I have been responsible for designing and implementing two national Open Calls for Citizen Science, which funded 17 projects addressing diverse topics, from environmental monitoring to public health, while aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This experience highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of supporting citizen science through grant-based funding in a national context, especially in terms of accessibility, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
My contribution to the workshop will focus on two aspects: first, practical insights from coordinating citizen science funding schemes at the institutional and policy level, including working with schools, research institutions, NGOs, and local communities; and second, reflections on how funding mechanisms can foster participation, strengthen partnerships, and build capacities beyond the project cycle.
I am particularly interested in learning from colleagues about alternative models such as crowdfunding and hybrid approaches, and in discussing how protocols like the one presented at this workshop could be adapted for smaller countries and emerging citizen science ecosystems.
Short Abstract
Interested in how crowdfunding can be used to support citizen science
Abstract
The basic webcomics business model offers free, ad-subsidized content to the consumer, relying on audience loyalty - cultivated heavily through social media—to drive sales of books, merchandise, and original art. Alongside advertising and merchandise, a related patronage model has emerged. This involves artists running crowdfunding campaigns (like Kickstarter) for merchandise or soliciting one-off or subscription donations, even as the comic content remains free-to-view.
Citizen science can directly adopt this powerful model. The foundational principle is to offer the core participatory experience for free while strategically leveraging that cultivated audience loyalty to secure long-term project resources. This commitment, fostered through constant and intentional social media engagement, is then converted into concrete project support through similar mechanisms to those used by webcomic creators.