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Short Abstract

The EU GREEN Alliance integrates citizen science into projects, courses, and institutional strategies, creating new connections between universities and society. We share experiences, tools, and perspectives to inspire the next generation of citizen scientists.

Abstract

Citizen science is becoming a powerful connector between universities and society. Within the European University alliance for sustainability, responsible GRowth, inclusive Education and ENvironment (EU GREEN), CS is not just a research tool, but it is a driver of educational innovation and institutional change. The Citizen Science Task Force, as part of the Engagement work package, which connects academia, local authorities, and civil society, acts on three intertwined levels. At the project level, initiatives like “BioUNIVERSITY” engage the academic communities (students, teachers, researchers and staff), and the local communities in biodiversity monitoring on campuses, turning university grounds into living laboratories. At the educational level, the blended intensive program “Citizen Science in Action” offers students hands-on experience in designing and running CS projects. Drawing on materials from both the EU-Citizen Science platform and the European Citizen Science Academy, the program combines solid theoretical foundations with creative, practice-based learning. At the institutional level, a survey maps existing CS activities to foster knowledge exchange and guide transformation. To strengthen this process, we integrated the Academy’s “Self-assessment Tool for Institutional Changes and Impact,” enabling universities to reflect on their progress and set shared ambitions. Collaboration with schools, libraries, municipalities, NGOs, and the society further amplifies these efforts, weaving CS into the fabric of local communities. This contribution shares experiences, challenges, and opportunities in embedding CS education across a European University Alliance, highlighting synergies with the ECS Academy’s networks and frameworks, and outlining pathways to inspire the next generation of citizen scientists.