Horizon Europe (HORIZON.4.2 – Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System)
01/08/2022 – 31/07/2026
(48 months)
Citizen science (CS) has become an important mode of research and innovation, in Europe and worldwide. Today, CS associations, CS projects, national and international CS platforms, conferences and funding programmes are key promoters of participatory forms of scientific knowledge production. However, the potential of CS has not been fully exploited, and it is still limited in its uptake and acceptance across disciplines, actors and institutions.
The European Citizen Science (ECS) project strengthens and connects the citizen science community across Europe. It builds on initiatives such as EU-Citizen.Science and Cos4Cloud, creating a European Citizen Science Academy, a network of 28 Ambassadors, and new opportunities for training, collaboration and exchange. Inclusivity is at the heart of the project: ECS works with partners such as Public Libraries 2030 to reach audiences who are often left out, and supports regions where citizen science is not yet well established. By linking with the Global Citizen Science Partnership and infrastructures like EOSC, ECS also ensures that citizen science in Europe is aligned with global and open science developments.
The project combines capacity building, peer learning and advocacy to make citizen science more visible, more inclusive and more impactful. It offers spaces for co-design, encourages the uptake of open and FAIR data practices, and engages both seasoned practitioners and newcomers. Through these efforts, ECS aims to secure Europe’s position as a global leader in citizen science.
Stickydot plays a central role in ECS by building bridges between projects, networks and communities. We lead activities that connect citizen science initiatives across Europe, ensuring that tools and resources are widely shared and reused. We also design and guide pilots that test new ways to include underrepresented groups in citizen science, working closely with libraries and community partners. Alongside this, we drive advocacy efforts, helping Ambassadors and partners to engage policymakers and strengthen recognition of citizen science in national and regional systems.
We also contribute to other aspects of the project such as co-creating the future citizen science community, developing training modules and organising cluster events. In each case, our focus is on ensuring that citizen science practices remain inclusive, practical and relevant to diverse European contexts.
ECS will deliver a stronger, more connected and more inclusive citizen science community. Its results include the European Citizen Science Academy, a vibrant network of Ambassadors, new training modules and a richer EU-Citizen.Science platform. Pilots will showcase how underrepresented communities can be actively engaged, while advocacy work will translate insights into concrete policy recommendations.
By the end of the project, ECS will have created the structures, networks and evidence needed to allow citizen science to thrive. This means better opportunities for citizens to contribute to science, stronger collaboration between practitioners, and a more prominent role for Europe on the global citizen science stage.
“It is inspiring to contribute to a scientific research environment that remains anchored in the realities and interests of a variety of individuals. Collaborating with the public takes your scientific knowledge off the beaten track and challenges you to take a creative approach to your scientific practice. Go ahead: once you try participatory research, you won’t look back!”
At Stickydot, Florence provides support on citizen science and public engagement projects. Florence has been applying participatory approaches in the fields of environment and public health for over five years. She cares deeply about making every step of a scientific research project inclusive, creative and sustainable.
