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How can art and culture move citizen science from the margins to the centre of society? PULSE-ART shows how Cultural Awareness and Expression (CAE) empower people to reflect, connect, and act together—bridging disciplines, communities, and cultures.

Abstract

Citizen science thrives when people see themselves as active participants in knowledge creation. Yet many remain at the periphery of science, disconnected from processes that shape their lives. PULSE-ART explores how considering Cultural Awareness and Expression (CAE)—one of the EU’s eight key competences for lifelong learning—can bring new voices and perspectives into the centre of participation.

Through arts-based education and public engagement, PULSE-ART mobilises educators, artists, policymakers, citizens and youth across Europe to co-create spaces where creativity and science intersect. These “MOSAIC HUBs” and Case Studies act as laboratories of cultural and civic participation, where art becomes a method for inquiry, dialogue, and collaboration.

By integrating the reflective power of the arts into science, PULSE-ART redefines participation—not only as data contribution, but as shared interpretation and meaning-making. Creative practices become tools for questioning systems of knowledge, making invisible experiences visible, and connecting communities across social and geographic peripheries.

This pitch argues that fostering CAE is crucial to strengthen and widen citizen science impact, to strengthen democracy itself: enabling people to express their realities, bridge divides, and participate as co-creators of Europe’s cultural and scientific future.

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Embedded in Barcelona’s public libraries, we ran pop-up housing games where neighbors faced dynamic rents under regulated vs unregulated rules. Findings show coordination patterns and lived perceptions; citizen-generated data and open models informing the Catalan rent debate.

Abstract

Jocs per l’Habitatge (Games for Housing) is the result of a co-creation process with users and professionals from the public libraries of Olesa de Montserrat, Granollers, and Fort Pienc (Barcelona). Participants first identified a pressing social concern: housing access. Affordable housing has become one of the most urgent challenges, with rising rents and limited supply. Together, library users, professionals, and academic researchers framed a research question aligned with current debates on rent regulation following the recent Catalan law, which establishes reference price indices and sets both maximum and minimum rent values. Neighbors were invited to outdoor public spaces next to each library for a pop-up behavioral experiment. In groups of six, participants played a “housing game” simulating renting opportunities under dynamic prices: if at least one participant accepted the rent offer, the price increased in the next round; if none accepted, the price decreased. Regulated and unregulated price environments were tested. Basic results were discussed locally, and a public report was issued. We have since revisited the dataset using new scientific methods and models to exploit this unique citizen-generated data. Our analysis explores how the urgency of housing access is perceived and identifies distinct behavioral patterns. This work highlights both the potential and limitations of ad hoc citizen experiments. Despite smaller sample sizes compared to conventional behavioral studies, the direct connection of participants to the local problem gives the data exceptional relevance. Advanced modelling techniques extracts meaningful insights and contribute scientific arguments to the public debate on housing price regulation.

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The ECODOC project engages citizens through slam poetry workshops on forest ecology, promoting dialogue, knowledge sharing, and participatory democracy.

Abstract

The ECODOC citizen science project asked itself how citizens could be truly integrated into the project. We hypothesized that engagement depended on the possibility of appropriating the subject, of allowing for a personal and unique interpretation that would enable participants to grasp it according to their own concerns. Our aim was therefore to encourage the expression of all existing points of view on the research topic, to reject asymmetries of power and knowledge (Owen, 2023), and ultimately to engage our project in a form of dialogical democracy (Callon et al., 2014).

Because the relationship between the arts and sciences has long shown that their synergies play a social role in both scientific transmission and the renewal of the imagination, we decided to use poetry as a tool for reformulating the scientific narrative, enabling the encounter and dialogue between emotions, ideas, and knowledge. To this end, we have set up, in partnership with the slam association Street Def Records, “science slam” writing workshops and invited participants to write slam texts based on the research data of forest ecology researchers as a prerequisite for joint research work on access to scientific information on forests.

This pitch will be an opportunity to present these scientific data slam workshops and share the initial results in terms of collective creation.

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In the remote Marshall Islands, youth at Spartan Camp turn microscopes and lagoon water into lessons on curiosity, culture, and climate. Citizen science emerges not from data alone, but from listening, learning, and building bridges at the edge of the world.

Abstract

Join me at the edge of the world, where science begins with listening, not data collection.

I work with Spartan Camp, a summer program for 35–40 middle school students on the remote islands of the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. I arrived with plans for water monitoring, climate experiments, and ecological observations — and a small set of microscopes. But students spoke varying levels of English, resources were limited, and daily life demanded flexibility and cultural sensitivity. What emerged was not the project I planned, but a foundation for future projects through mutual learning and living.

Together, we explored the lagoon. I taught students to use microscopes and collect water samples. Captivated by the tiny organisms — “germs,” the only Marshallese word for microscopic life — students’ curiosity overcame barriers. They wanted to collect more samples and save them, not knowing the organisms would not survive the heat. Through these observations, they connected science to lived experience: hotter summers, changes in the water, and the fragile food web of their lagoon.

This experience reframed citizen science as something that must be invited, not implemented — a partnership requiring trust, cultural understanding, and adaptation to local realities. By centering student curiosity and lived experience, the project demonstrates how citizen science can empower remote communities, connect diverse knowledge systems, and create pathways for meaningful engagement.

At the edge of the world, science is not just about data — it is about listening, learning, and building cultural bridges.

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Citizen science with experts is full of potential (and personality). When researchers meet professionals, ego meets ego. This showcase shares lessons and laughs from projects where everyone is an expert and gives recommendations on how to turn separated know-how into shared discovery.

Abstract

Citizen science often invites “everyone to participate”. But what happens when everyone already knows a lot? Many projects work with expert groups: beekeepers tracking bee viruses, patients contributing their lived experience to medical studies or native speakers documenting their language. Ideally, these collaborations bring together academic and practical knowledge, enriching both research and real-world practice. However, when professionals and researchers meet, so do different forms of knowledge and different egos.

This showcase pitch explores the dynamics of citizen science with experts and professionals, where collaboration sometimes turns into a clash of confidence. Researchers may guard their “academic method”, while participants defend their practical wisdom. Between mutual respect and mutual correction, fascinating learning moments emerge.

Drawing from real project experiences, this showcase pitch highlights the joys, the pitfalls and the “know-it-all” moments that make expert participation both challenging and rewarding. It provides practical recommendations for balancing power dynamics, building trust and creating spaces where every form of expertise (from academic and local to experiential) contributes meaningfully to the joint generation of knowledge. Because when handled well, citizen science with experts does not inflate egos but expands horizons.

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In 2025, Fundación Hazloposible studied talent risks and needs in Spain’s Third Sector, exploring satisfaction, workflow, and relations beyond pay or hours. The findings aimed at a co-created, accessible self-assessment tool to turn workplace data into insights on well-being and sustainability.

Abstract

In 2025, Fundación Hazloposible conducted a study to identify the risks and needs related to attracting, retaining, and losing talent within the Third Sector in Spain. Beyond quantitative indicators such as salaries or working hours, the research explored how professionals perceive their work, focusing on satisfaction, workflow, and relational aspects. The results informed the needs for designing a self-assessment tool and questionnaire aimed at helping organizations and workers understand their position within these dimensions.

Building on these findings, the project intends to develop a co-creation system involving professionals from diverse roles across the sector — from management to general services. This participatory process will focus on revising and adapting the questionnaire items, and developing an inclusive UX and UI design. Accessibility and digital literacy will be central principles, ensuring that the tool can be widely used and continuously refined with participant feedback.

Aligned with the principles of citizen science, the co-creation process fosters active involvement across all professional categories. It seeks to transform complex risk factors into accessible and meaningful indicators that reflect lived experiences within the workplace. Ultimately, the project aims to translate quantitative data into narratives that inform organizational decision-making and improve collective understanding of well-being and sustainability in the Third Sector.

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This citizen science project answers the question: does climate change impact the arrival of spring? The project has gathered data in Denmark since 2023 with clear indicators that butterflies, birds and flowers appear earlier.

Abstract

The goal of 'Signs of Spring' is to gather new knowledge about spring phenology (the annual cycle of natural events in plants and animals) and get more Danes out into nature. The researchers are specifically looking for 20 signs of spring to investigate whether spring is affected by climate change. Anyone who wants to help learn more about spring in nature can register their findings and photos in the nature registration app Arter or at Arter.dk.

Signs of Spring is a collaboration between six natural history museums in Denmark: Naturama, Aarhus, Gram Lergrav, Museum Mors, Fur Museum and the Natural History Museum Denmark and is supported by the 15. June Foundation.

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We present the National Education Nature Park project, where we imagine all schools in England as one big connected ‘Nature Park’. We showcase how young people are transforming their educational sites into outdoor laboratories, carrying out authentic research and taking nature recovery action.

Abstract

The National Education Nature Park project is a government-back initiative led by the Natural History Museum London that aims to embed nature-based learning in the curriculum, and empower children and young people in all educational sites in England to take evidence-based action to improve their site for people and wildlife.

Here we imagine all educational sites across the country as one big connected ‘Nature Park’ - spaces that prioritise the natural environment alongside the practical needs of young people. In taking part, teachers are putting nature and climate education at the heart of their lessons while young people are developing green skills, taking evidence-based action and transforming their educational sites to improve biodiversity.

Children and young people are carrying out authentic scientific research in collaboration with Museum scientists, by exploring their grounds, recording wildlife, mapping the habitats on their sites and making habitat enhancements to demonstrate a biodiversity gain. To date, more than 1 in 4 primary and secondary schools in England are taking part and have mapped an area more than 13 million square metres of habitat across the education estate i.e. an area bigger than the size of 10,000 Olympic swimming pools.

We will pitch the vision of the Nature Park project and showcase inspiring example stories from individual schools.

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IDEAr investigates urban biodiversity in Arezzo (Italy) through citizen-based monitoring of butterflies. As the first study on urban butterflies in the city, it promotes citizens’ connection with local biodiversity and awareness of the effects of human disturbance on urban ecosystems.

Abstract

IDEAr is a research project developed in Arezzo (Italy) within the framework of the Green City Accord, a European Commission initiative aimed at creating a network of cities committed to environmental protection and urban sustainability. IDEAr is structured around three main actions: assessing the condition of urban vegetation, investigating and monitoring selected ecological relevant animal groups (i.e., butterflies, ants, and birds), and promoting environmental education activities in schools to raise awareness about environmental issues.

Part of the project is the study of urban diurnal butterflies, carried out through active citizens involvement. Under the framework of the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (eBMS), three transects were identified in three urban parks differing in the degree of human disturbance within Arezzo Municipality. Between May and October 2025 citizens and researchers, performed about 30 surveys during which they observed more than 200 individuals and identified 43 species. Several volunteers and local associations took part to field activities, helping to increase public understanding of the role of butterflies as bioindicators of urban environmental quality.

IDEAr represents the first collaborative study on diurnal Lepidoptera in the Arezzo city. The collected data represents a valuable starting point for monitoring urban biodiversity trends in such a changing environment, and for understanding the influence that human activities (e.g., recreational activities, lawn management, mowing) may have on urban and peri-urban parks and their inhabitant species. Finally, this project also aims at deepening and sharing with people the knowledge about the ecological dynamics of Arezzo’s urban and peri-urban environments, fostering a stronger connection between citizens and the biodiversity that surrounds them.

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Citizen participation in conservation builds lasting awareness and action. Before-and-after studies show volunteers in wildlife monitoring gain stronger values, attitudes, and behaviours for conservation, fostering long-term responsibility and commitment to protecting nature.

Abstract

An essential challenge in addressing both local and global conservation issues is how to effectively engage local stakeholders in conservation efforts. Citizen science has emerged as a valuable tool to complement professionally based monitoring while also promoting public participation in biodiversity conservation. However, limited research has systematically reviewed the extent to which participation in monitoring programmes influences local communities’ attitudes toward conservation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that societal engagement in wildlife monitoring fosters conservation awareness and encourages positive values, attitudes, and behaviours toward biodiversity protection. To explore this, we conducted a global systematic review of studies published between 1995 and 2023. A total of 56 case studies were analysed, representing four vertebrate groups across 16 countries worldwide. The most notable monitoring initiatives were conducted in the United States and Australia, with birds being the most frequently monitored taxonomic group. Among monitoring metrics, population trends were the most commonly assessed. Our findings show that involving local volunteers in monitoring programmes can positively influence awareness, values, attitudes, and behaviours toward conservation. Evidence from before-and-after assessments highlights that citizen participation can foster long-term conservation consciousness and willingness to act on conservation issues. Importantly, this positive effect is closely linked to supportive measures such as training, access to monitoring materials, and financial incentives, which enhance local engagement and build trust. Overall, this study underscores the importance of fostering collaborative relationships with local stakeholders to ensure the long-term success of biodiversity conservation through wildlife monitoring initiatives.

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Citizen science is a powerful force in ecology, but even good data can be swayed by subtle biases. How do the resources we create shape the data people collect? Our study shows that different field guides influence which birds participants notice, identify, and record.

Abstract

Citizen science has become a powerful tool in ecological research, harnessing the collective efforts of the public to generate valuable data. Although such projects often yield high-quality results, individual projects must be evaluated to identify and account for potential biases and variations in data quality. Our study focuses on the influence of field guides on reporting frequency of urban birds within the Big Backyard Bird Count. We compare observations facilitated by three versions of the field guide presenting varying bird species. Our analysis revealed a significant difference in observations reported by participants using each field guide. In particular, differences were observed in the reporting of birds with similar features and potential for confusion (e.g. Myna and Blackbird). Dominant species which were omitted from the field guide were found to be underreported or misidentified whereas rarer species present in the guide were often overreported, even when absent from the observation site. These results underscore the need to critically assess the role of participant-centered resources, in shaping citizen science data and species identification, and better understand biases in species reporting and observer behavior.

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Despite being essential for our ecosystems, fungi are often neglected in nature conservation and monitoring. By engaging 400 citizen scientists from 29 European countries in coordinated campaigns, we collated 3089 occurrence records of rare fungal taxa across the continent, majority as specimens.

Abstract

Fungi are essential for our ecosystems but are often neglected in nature conservation and monitoring. Even in Europe, where research on fungal diversity has been ongoing for centuries, the distribution of many species remains unknown, restricting effective conservation practices inclusive to fungi. In FunDive, a collaborative project funded by Biodiversa+, we aim to raise awareness about fungi as crucial components of ecosystems and to engage people in fungal conservation by coordinating efforts of hundreds of citizen scientists with 42 research partners across 29 countries. Through targeted collaborative sampling campaigns with citizen scientists from local mycological groups and societies, the development of tools for data integration and publication to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and the provision of broad access to DNA barcoding, we recorded 3089 fungal (mostly macromycetes and lichens) occurrences (251 observations, 2810 specimens) from 29 countries and generated 886 ITS sequences during our first sampling season. Preliminary analysis of sequence data has already uncovered fungal species new to science and new records for several countries. These recorded occurrences will greatly increase our knowledge of the distribution of rare species in Europe. If you are interested in joining our efforts, please visit our webpage: https://fun-dive.eu/en/get-involved/. We believe that this collaborative endeavor will improve our knowledge of pan-European fungal diversity and distribution patterns, which is crucial for understanding macroecological processes and will help with data-driven European Red Listing decisions.

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By using x-ray tomographic 3D-scans, we can make efficient use of drill cores for the mining industry. However, information in these 3D-scans is overwhelming. We are now developing a global citizen science platform to allow classification of what’s visible in these 3D-scans.

Abstract

The love of geology takes many forms. Literally looking for gems is one such activity, but the learning about and fascination for geology and geological history may lead you down fascinating paths. Ask Charles Lyell …The mining industry also stirs up many emotions with its truly fascinating history and future, promises of local development, job opportunities, and environmental burdens. To contribute to a more efficient use of drill cores in the mining industry, Orexplore AB has developed a new method of 3D-scanning drill cores. The rendering of the 3D-scans are visually attractive and allow you to see the structures set in the stone. Classifying these visualizations of the 3D-scans will allow for a more efficient use of the drill cores and will develop the science of ore geology. Experts in gamification aim at developing a web portal, where we hope to engage volunteers in a research and learning experience based on these 3D-scans. Interpreting the structures, textures and colours of drill cores is a truly complex exercise, where four geologists might give five answers! Our expectation is that by bringing large numbers of engaged citizen scientists into this classification exercise, much more data will be gathered from these drill cores and 3D-scans.

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This work focuses on upscaling RiverWatch: a citizen science initiative to monitor pollution in the Sarno River, Italy to four demo sites in the Philippines where citizen scientists were engaged in three phases covering co-creation, co-design, and co-development in river plastic monitoring.

Abstract

The growing interest in incorporating citizen science into various research domains and decision-support tools provides a huge opportunity to integrate natural and social sciences and generate a greater societal impact. Citizen-led initiatives related to global issues such as environmental monitoring are increasing, especially when the citizen scientists are also direct stakeholders (e.g., in water quality). However, scientific confidence in these projects where data are collected, generated, or analyzed by citizen scientists still remains low. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a citizen science research framework that incorporates diverse geographic contexts to reveal various sources of knowledge and confidence gaps.

In this study, we enriched the RiverWatch initiative by introducing it to four demonstration sites in the Philippines to promote a global citizen science observatory on river plastic pollution. RiverWatch is a citizen science initiative that was developed to monitor pollution in the Sarno River in Italy utilizing a web app that allows users to collect plastic image data, tag the type of plastic (e.g., plastic bottle), and report simple turbidity levels using their smartphones. Building a rich image database is key to training accurate, and generalizable AI models. We engaged the citizen scientists in three phases: 1) data collection (co-creation), 2) improvement of the RiverWatch web app (co-design), and 3) development of the Philippine Citizen Science Research Framework for river monitoring (co-development). The overarching goal is to empower citizens to support decision-makers in water management, building on previous work and advancements in river water quality monitoring, and citizen science.

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The Catchment Systems Thinking Co-operative (CaSTCo) proves citizen science can generate credible data for decision-making. Through co-design and open standards, communities, businesses and regulators are developing a shared evidence base for improving river health. https://castco.org/roadmap

Abstract

The Catchment Systems Thinking Co-operative (CaSTCo) has spent four years demonstrating that properly resourced and coordinated citizen science can generate credible, decision-ready data for improving river health in the UK - we'll summarise the recipe for success in three minutes.

Co-designed with communities, NGOs, water companies, regulators, researchers, and technology providers, CaSTCo has built a framework of standardised robust methods, quality assurance processes, and open governance structures that allow local monitoring data to be used by water companies, regulators and catchment partnerships to target collaborative action and investment.

The CaSTCo Roadmap (https://castco.org/roadmap) sets out how this approach can be scaled: by 2035, all rivers in England and Wales could be monitored within a unified, open data system where citizen science sits alongside professional monitoring. By co-designing trust — in data, in process, and in people — CaSTCo shows how participatory science can turn information into action and shared responsibility for the health of our rivers.

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“Bloomiverse – Sow Seeds, Gather Data” allowed Laimburg Research Centre to bring its research to the peripheral areas of South Tyrol, transforming the territory into a scientific variable. By connecting people through seeds and data collection, the project studied the growth of five native plants.

Abstract

“Bloomiverse – Sow Seeds, Gather Data” is a citizen science initiative developed by Laimburg Research Centre in collaboration with the citizens of South Tyrol (Italy), who selected it through a public vote.

It enabled Laimburg Research Centre to bring its research outside the laboratories and experimental fields and into gardens and balconies of people across South Tyrol. Participants received a kit with seeds of native wildflowers and were asked to sow, observe, and record data on plant growth throughout the summer of 2025. The geographical distribution of the 164 participants, living in city centres, mountain villages, and remote areas, turned the whole region into a living laboratory. Different locations meant different altitudes and climate conditions: no single laboratory or greenhouse could ever reproduce this variability. The data collected by participants will help researchers study how native plants respond to diverse environmental conditions across the region.

But this widespread participation also created challenges. The same geographical diversity that enriched the research data made coordination more complex. How to reach everyone, keep interest high, and distribute materials and information effectively? The answer to these questions lies at the heart of Bloomiverse: people building bridges between centre and periphery, while turning distance and difficulty into added value for the project itself.

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Invasive Tapinoma magnum ants are a nuisance in homes and can damage infrastructure. Through citizen science and their sharp nose, dogs may find hidden colonies to help protect native biodiversity.

Abstract

Tapinoma magnum is an invasive ant species in Europe which forms large supercolonies, represents a major nuisance for affected homeowners and causes damages to infrastructure. Through citizen science, we found that the species is much wider spread in the Baden-Württemberg area than anticipated. One problem is that the ant colonies are often only found when they have reached an already large size, which makes the species difficult to manage. Ants are small insects that are difficult to identify. This likely contributes to the difficulty in limiting this species’ spread through the soil of ornamental plants as small colonies often go unnoticed. To solve this, we want to involve our best friends: dogs. With their highly sensitive sense of smell, insect detection dogs can sniff out different species of insects, even if they occur in small quantities and/or are hidden. Together with dog trainers as citizen scientists, we want to investigate whether detection dogs can locate Tapinoma ants in flower pots and if they can distinguish between the invasive and native species. The citizen scientists and their dogs contribute to investigating new ways to limit the spread of this invasive species by detecting colonies that are too small or inactive to be found by the human eye. This would not only help protect native biodiversity by stalling the spread of this invasive species, but also lower the amount of insecticides often involved in managing large colonies.

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BOB – Behavioural Observation in Beetles is the first citizen science project on beetle behaviour. In 2025, volunteers collected more than 700 observations from most of the Italian species distribution area, unveiling the hidden lives of stag beetles and engaging citizens in behavioural ecology.

Abstract

The stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) is one of the largest and most charismatic beetles in Europe. Protected under the EU Habitats Directive this species is strictly associated with dead wood and ancient trees—habitats that are rapidly disappearing globally.

While much is known about its ecology and distribution, its natural behaviour still reserves unexplored aspects. This is where BOB – Behavioural Observation in Beetles steps in: the first citizen science project dedicated to the behavioural observation of the stag beetle in the wild.

BOB builds upon two successful initiatives—LIFE MIPP and InNat—which mobilized volunteers to collect distribution data on protected insects. From thousands of photos of the stag beetle submitted by citizen scientists, researchers identified key behavioural traits that could be reliably observed, laying the foundation for a new data collection protocol.

In 2025, the project was officially launched in Italy, and volunteers started collecting behavioural data on L. cervus. Through the BOB app, more than 100 citizen scientists contributed over 700 records, providing notable insights into daily activity patterns and behavioural traits concerning courtship and fight between males. This large-scale engagement not only generated valuable ethological data but also strengthened the connection between people and insect ecology.

BOB demonstrates how scientific knowledge, technology, and citizen curiosity can broaden our knowledge even of a well-known and charismatic insect such as the stag beetle.

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At the confluence of cultural heritage, sustainable renovation, and participatory design, we experiment with a novel citizen science methodology, the Talking Buildings, which invites citizens to give a voice to cultural heritage buildings, by using an impersonation game under various framings.

Abstract

We introduce a promising citizen science methodology based on the Talking Buildings Game, which has been launched in Rhodes, Greece, through an open call to the community via local radio and social media. Talking Buildings <talkingbuildings.net> consists of two invitations to engage in the collaborative research process: one public, and one for researchers. The public invitation is to be addressed to active users of schools or universities, which are cultural heritage buildings, who have the personal interest and capacity to engage in long-term processes with their own building.

Building users are confronted with a simple task / challenge: To observe their buildings using all their senses, by focusing at different scales and levels of detail, to identify, frame, and connect with relevant parts of the building that are of special interest, and then to narrate a story or contribute a multimedia account from the building’s perspective or of specific parts of it, to give them a voice. Each outcome of this simple process, observe-frame-narrate, we call a building account.

Researchers have their own task / challenge to fulfill: To describe simple observation challenges guiding the observe-frame-narrate process, and provide account interpretations for those building accounts pertinent to their fields. In Rhodes, people from all walks of life are immersed in the Talking Buildings Game, with encouraging results of the initial experiment. That is setting the scene for co-designing a second phase of engagement in more concrete framings, in cooperation with the local research team and community.

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ClimaGen devises a conceptual framework relying on numerous methodologies in order to demonstrate how climate-resilient regeneration and renaturing help cities and regions in their transition towards net-zero future. Its Belgrade pilot experiments with citizen science and art and science practices.

Abstract

The Horizon Europe ClimaGen project aims to demonstrate how climate-resilient regeneration and renaturing for, by and with vulnerable neighbourhoods, can help cities and regions in their transitions towards net-zero future. Nine cities across Europe serve as testbeds for deploying diverse methodologies in the integrative, holistic manner. Nature-based solutions, citizen science, art-science practices, living labs, they will all act as motivators and practical tools for the involvement of citizens, and their active contribution in different phases and activities (consultation, data collection, reflection, creation).

Five Demonstration cities (Belgrade, Gdańsk, Tartu, Torino, and Trondheim), will implement 25% increased share of newly created and/or restored public green spaces in each city. Four Replication Cities (Cluj-Napoca, Eindhoven, Gernika and Thessaloniki) will experiment with shorter-term co-creative measures with the same objectives, methods and future plans.

Within the Belgrade pilot, The Center for the Promotion of Science creates a conceptual framework relying on several participative methodologies, with the focal ones being citizen science and art and science. Initiated after an open call, the intervention will look for the direct participation of citizens by setting up a local citizen science project in a designated area of Belgrade - a recently designed Linear Park in the Dorcol district. The whole process, further enriched with a selected interdisciplinary art and science research, will culminate with a localised experiment and a corresponding installation, as formal outcomes and permanent testimonies of the ClimaGen aims, as well as a symbolic representation of the joint effort of citizens and experts.

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Youth4Diagnostics empowers secondary school students to explore water safety. By collecting and analyzing samples, create diagnostic tools and contribute to an open database on water biodiversity. The project connects science with community action, fostering innovation and public health awareness.

Abstract

Youth4Diagnostics is a two-year STEAM-based initiative that engages high school students in real-world water diagnostics through citizen science. Students collect and analyze water samples from diverse environments (rivers, lakes, coastal areas, tap water), applying microbiology protocols, rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, and DIY technologies (Arduino, 3D printing, colorimetric assays). By co-designing sampling protocols and diagnostic tools, participants contribute to a shared open database on water biodiversity and pathogens in Crete. The project promotes scientific literacy, hands-on innovation, and community awareness while building long-term citizen engagement in water safety and public health.

Key Objectives:

• Raise awareness of microbial biodiversity and waterborne pathogens.

• Train students in microbiology, diagnostics, and data-driven analysis.

• Co-create innovative POC tools through STEAM approaches.

• Build an open-access database on local water quality.

• Disseminate outcomes at science conference, hackathons, and citizen science events.

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Can rare disease families be scientists? In our citizen science project with the CDG community, patients and caregivers co-designed research priorities, studies, and clinical tools—proving that lived experience can drive scientific and policy impact.

Abstract

This 3-minute pitch shares how the Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG) community transformed from research subjects into research partners through citizen science. In a field where patient voices are often excluded due to complexity and rarity, our initiative—led by CDG and Allies—empowered patients and caregivers to co-create every step of the research process.

Together, we prioritized symptoms, co-designed survey tools, co-led data interpretation, and influenced clinical trial planning. Caregivers identified gaps overlooked by traditional research, such as multisystem symptom clustering and the emotional burden of diagnostic uncertainty. Their insights reshaped protocols to be more meaningful and feasible in real-world settings.

Our pitch will spotlight how this co-creation model fostered trust, accelerated relevance, and sparked regulatory interest—proving that involving rare disease communities is not just ethical, but essential for impactful innovation.

By breaking disciplinary, linguistic, and geographic barriers, we created an inclusive ecosystem where lived expertise complemented clinical and scientific knowledge. This model offers transferable lessons for other underserved conditions and shows that, with the right tools and mindset, even the rarest voices can lead research that matters.

Vote for our pitch if you believe science should belong to everyone.

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Short Abstract

Bridge2Health explores citizen science to align health research with societal shifts towards empowerment and impact. Rooted in practice-oriented research, Universities of Applied Sciences are building bridges between citizens, researchers, and professionals to co-create future health solutions.

Abstract

Bridge2Health is a SPRONG initiative that seeks to transform health research by embracing citizen science as a method for genuine collaboration and co-creation. Across the globe, we have seen a societal shift towards citizens being more equally involved in shaping research and policy agendas. In the health domain, this shift is fueled by the pressing challenge of translating clinical, evidence-based research into practice. Too often, research outcomes fail to resonate within real world contexts, preferences, and needs of the people they are meant for.

Citizen science offers new opportunities to address these challenges. By integrating the insights and assets of citizens, we can design participatory projects that are not only inclusive but also democratic, impactful and sustainable. Such approaches have the potential to reshape health paradigms and optimize wellbeing in real world settings.

This vision aligns seamlessly with the mission of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in the Netherlands. With a strong focus on practice-oriented research and the education of allied health professionals, UAS provide ample experience with participatory methods such as citizen science. UAS have demonstrated that co-creative approaches can produce innovative, practice-ready solutions to complex health challenges.

Bridge2Health aims to become a center of expertise regarding citizen science and health. Inviting researchers, citizens, and professionals to join forces, break down disciplinary walls, and co-create sustainable innovations. By doing so, we are not only advancing health research, but we are collectively building bridges towards a healthier and more connected future.

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This contribution presents a participatory approach to co-design Digital Twins for water management and climate resilience, a growing field still dominated by technical expertise, where local knowledges and lived experiences are often overlooked, underrepresented, and distant from decision-making.

Abstract

The integration of diverse forms of knowledge beyond quantitative and technical data remains limited in many scientific domains, where local knowledges and lived experiences are often overlooked, underrepresented, and kept distant from formal decision-making processes. This knowledge integration gap reduces opportunities to capture context-specific insights that are crucial for designing effective, equitable and socially owned climate resilient strategies. Yet, stakeholder participation has been shown to offer multiple benefits, including enhancing legitimacy and fairness, and building trust and transparency, leading to more robust, innovative and widely supported solutions. This contribution explores how such participatory and collaborative approaches can be applied to the rapidly growing field of Digital Twins, which to date remains largely dominated by technical expertise. We argue that bridging the often abstract, system-oriented concept of Digital Twins with local, place- and practice-based knowledge is essential for effective science–policy integration.

Drawing on the EU-funded AQUA project, this contribution introduces a case study that experiments a co-design approach to Digital Twins for water management and climate resilience across the Adriatic–Ionian Region. Over the next two years, the project will engage a broad range of stakeholders, including local and regional water utilities, research centres, civil society organisations, private companies, and local authorities, across diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts. By embedding local and cross-sectoral knowledge into the development of Digital Twins, the research aims to foster inclusive, transdisciplinary, and context-sensitive tools that support more resilient and adaptive water governance.

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Short Abstract

Do you know how many citizen scientists of your project participate after they have signed up to be a part of the project? We would like to know as well! There seems to be a lack in the reporting of these numbers, so we would like your input into our survey.

Abstract

We are interested in the participation response rates of Citizen Science projects, i.e. the number of people that participate after they have signed up for the project. In our case, participants registered to receive a measurement kit and were asked to carry out 1-5 water quality measurements. However, about half of the people who received a kit actually did the measurements. Fellow citizen science researchers considered this to be a relatively high percentage. However, such participation response rates are rarely reported in the literature. There is existing literature on the response rates of evaluation surveys that participants filled in or on the number of clicks on a link after the first information about the project. However, citizen science researchers do not seem to record the response rate of participants after signing up. In literature it is known how to motivate citizen scientists to participate, i.e. offering training, becoming part of a community or working on a cause. However, how to compare and test if these types of motivational measures result in more participants that will indeed perform their measurements if participation response rates are not published? We realize that this type of participation response rate is not applicable to all citizen science projects, for instance when there is an online form to fill in after doing a onetime measurement. So, we are interested in the type of projects where participants had to sign up beforehand and would like to collect your (unpublished) numbers, estimates, and ideas in our survey.

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'Lost at Night' is a citizen science platform that georeferences astronaut photos of Earth's night lights. It creates a night global map to analyze light pollution and its ecological impacts, supporting the EU PLAN-B project.

Abstract

The systematic monitoring of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is predominantly conducted using satellite platforms such as DMSP-OLS and VIIRS-DNB. However, the extensive archive of high-resolution, multispectral (color) digital photographs captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) offers a complementary dataset with superior spatial resolution in urban centers. The primary limitation of this archive for scientific application is the lack of systematic georectification. This research addresses this data gap through a citizen science initiative designed to study the documented impacts of ALAN on biodiversity and human health.

The Lost at Night (lostatnight.org) platform, developed within the Horizon Europe project PLAN-B, functions as a Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) system to process this imagery. The project engages the public in the manual georectification of the astronaut photography archive. Participants are presented with an image and an interactive map interface to identify and annotate ground control points (GCPs), such as coastal features, road intersections, and urban structures. This crowdsourcing approach leverages human pattern recognition to overcome challenges inherent to automated registration, including oblique viewing angles and atmospheric distortion.

The primary output is a longitudinal, open-access database of georectified nocturnal imagery. This process transforms qualitative visual imagery into quantitative, spatially-explicit data on nighttime radiance and spectral composition. The resulting dataset enables large-scale correlative studies between ALAN metrics and ecological indicators, directly supporting the objectives of the PLAN-B project. This presentation will detail the methodological framework, data validation protocols, and the application of this novel dataset for research into the spatio-temporal dynamics of light pollution and its environmental consequences.

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OPENRED is a citizen science network for monitoring gamma radiation in Spain. Volunteers use low-cost sensors to build an open radiological map, fostering transparency and scientific literacy in collaboration with the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN).

Abstract

Public perception of environmental radiation is often characterized by a lack of information, leading to misconceptions and mistrust. To address this, the OPENRED (Open Radiation Network) project establishes a nationwide citizen science network for monitoring environmental gamma radiation in Spain. Developed through a collaboration between Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) and the Ibercivis Foundation, OPENRED has two primary objectives: (1) to generate a dense, open-access database of radiological data, and (2) to enhance public understanding and engagement with nuclear science and radiation protection principles.

The project equips volunteers from diverse backgrounds—including students, maker communities, and the general public—with low-cost, validated radiation sensors. Participants are trained to collect measurements in their local environments, contributing to a dynamic, real-time radiological map of the country. The platform includes a web portal for data visualization and analysis, as well as educational materials and engagement activities such as hackathons and collective intelligence experiments to foster a robust and informed community.

By actively involving citizens in the scientific process, OPENRED democratizes environmental monitoring and provides a valuable supplementary data source for official surveillance networks. This presentation will detail the project's methodology, from sensor validation and data quality protocols to community engagement strategies, showcasing how a regulatory agency and the public can co-create valuable environmental data and foster trust.

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This pitch presents five Dutch Citizen Science Hubs working on topics like health and biodiversity. CS-NL connects them, fostering mutual learning—offering a model for collaborative citizen science across Europe and beyond.

Abstract

In the Netherlands, five regional Citizen Science (CS) Hubs have been established with funding from Open Science NL. These hubs aim to strengthen the role of citizen science within research organisations by providing local points of expertise, infrastructure, and support. Each hub brings together professional researchers, societal organisations, local stakeholders and citizen scientists to co-create knowledge on diverse societal and environmental topics, including health, biodiversity, and urban living. The hubs offer practical support in areas such as FAIR data management, effective science communication, participatory research design, and navigating ethical and legal issues. By embedding citizen science within institutional frameworks, they contribute to the professionalisation and long-term sustainability of citizen science practices.

To ensure the hubs do not operate in isolation, Citizen Science Nederland (CS-NL) plays a key role in fostering mutual learning and collaboration across the network. CS-NL facilitates regular exchanges, peer-learning opportunities, and joint reflection on methods, tools, and challenges. Through this approach, successful practices and innovations developed in one hub can be shared and adapted by others. This interconnected model enhances the collective impact of the hubs while allowing them to retain their regional or thematic focus. It also offers a scalable and adaptable approach for building citizen science infrastructure in other countries.

In this pitch, we present how mutual learning across Dutch hubs is being shaped and supported and explore how these lessons may inspire similar efforts across Europe and beyond.

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ECSA, ECS and RIECS-Concept strengthen connections between citizens, researchers and policymakers, co-creating frameworks for a resilient, inclusive and trusted citizen science landscape that is open, sustainable, and central to European research communities.

Abstract

How can we create stronger links between policymakers, researchers, science communicators and the vibrant and diverse world of citizen science? How can we better pursue common goals together?

To answer this open question, ECSA, the ECS project and the RIECS-Concept project join forces to bring ideas together and pave the way for a strong and resilient citizen science landscape.

Citizen science has the power to make research and innovation more democratic, open and inclusive. At ECSA, the European home for citizen science, we are working towards this goal. Through the ECS project we aim to expand and embed citizen science across Europe and beyond. We bring together different stakeholders to co-create knowledge and build lasting trust.

ECS includes the European Citizen Science Academy, offering accessible, high quality training, and the citizenscience.eu platform, an open hub for resources, networking and events. The RIECS-Concept project takes us further by co-creating a concept for a European infrastructure for citizen science, enabling long-term sustainability and stronger collaborations that improve accessibility across research communities, and services that support citizen science on an institutional level.

As powerful as it is, citizen science is still only used by a minority of scientists and actively involves a small fraction of people. How can we make it more mainstream?

In this session, we invite multiple actors to connect, reflect and imagine new pathways forward. Let’s build the frameworks and connections to make citizen science not just more visible, but central to the future of science and society.

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Falling Walls Engage connects and empowers those who bring science closer to society. We foster participation and build trust in science by creating global visibility with our collaborative network. Currently, we invite Science Engagement projects advancing climate action to apply in our open call.

Abstract

The Falling Walls Engage Pitches are part of the annual Falling Walls Science Summit, which unites the global science community in Berlin from 6–9 November 2026. The event offers Science Engagement practitioners international visibility and the chance to connect with science leaders worldwide.

Currently, we are looking for innovative approaches and best practices in science engagement that drive meaningful climate mitigation or adaptation efforts (open call until April 15, 2026). Fifteen finalists will present their projects to an international jury and audience for the opportunity to be selected as the “Science Breakthrough of the Year in Science Engagement.”

Beyond the pitch competition, Falling Walls Engage fosters a global network through its Engage Hubs, connecting communities, research institutions and decision-makers to strengthen regional science engagement ecosystems. Hosted by leading organisations across four continents, the Hubs drive local and global collaboration to turn scientific knowledge into public understanding, trust and action.

https://falling-walls.com/engage