The importance of citizen science for the climate crisis.

In the face of the escalating climate crisis, citizen science has emerged as a powerful tool, enabling communities to actively contribute to understanding and addressing environmental challenges. This collaborative approach not only empowers individuals but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility, creating a grassroots movement that is essential in the fight against climate change.

The collaboration between citizen scientists and traditional researchers is instrumental in validating and refining climate models. This synergy enhances the accuracy of predictions, enabling more effective long-term planning for adaptation. By bridging the gap between scientific expertise and community insights, citizen science ensures that adaptation strategies are not only scientifically sound but also socially and culturally appropriate, fostering greater acceptance and compliance.

The participatory nature of citizen science also fosters a heightened sense of community awareness and resilience. By involving individuals in the scientific process, citizen science projects act as educational platforms that empower communities to comprehend the intricacies of climate change. Armed with this knowledge, citizens are better equipped to implement localized adaptation measures, from sustainable land use practices to the development of climate-resilient infrastructure.

Here comes the European project ScienceUs. ScienceUs aims to create an EU-wide network of interconnected citizen science projects. A combined support program of direct funding and support services will be provided to a group of high-potential citizen science initiatives. The ScienceUs team is formed by the CIVIS university alliance and MFN that brings its expertise and networks generated thanks to its leading role in EU-citizen science and its successor, European Citizen Science.

The ScienceUs upscale academy will deliver individualized and group support services to the selected citizen sub-projects. The project will implement a 3-phase support program with direct funding (max. € 40.000 supported project) and support services to a group of outstanding citizen science initiatives that have the potential to be upscaled to other EU regions. The main objective of the support program is the creation of European citizen science networks in different research and technological areas related to “Adaptation to Climate Change”.

ScienceUs will assist the citizen science projects by:

  • Seed Phase: defining a transnational citizen science campaign plan.
  • Flourish Phase: Implementing the transnational campaign plan by facilitating the matchmaking between EU citizen science initiatives and the involvement of quadruple helix actors in the projects.
  • Harvest Phase: Facilitating that these supported citizen science projects transfer the best practices and lessons learnt to other initiatives and projects and to quadruple helix actors (mainly policy makers) generating a knowledge spillover effect.

ScienceUs Offerings

Training Repository: Access to a comprehensive repository of citizen science training materials, protocols, and working modalities, open to all stakeholders on the project’s website. Webinars and Face-to-Face Training: Engage in diverse training formats covering citizen science topics and working modalities. Networking and Matchmaking: Facilitate connections with relevant stakeholders from the quadruple helix, fostering collaboration and synergy. Mentoring and Coaching: Receive guidance and support to navigate the challenges of citizen science initiatives. Funding Opportunities: Gain access to additional public and private funding to fuel project growth and impact.

ScienceUs & actions

ScienceUs is led by the Universidad Autonoma De Madrid (Spain). The 7 European partners participating in ScienceUs are Universite D’aix Marseille (France), Ethniko Kai Kapodistriako Panepistimio Athinon (Greece), Universitatea Din Bucuresti (Romania), Universite Libre De Bruxelles (Belgium), Universita Degli Studi Di Roma La Sapienza (Italy), Eberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen (Germany) and Museum Fur Naturkunde (Germany) offering diverse experiences and know-how, which represent a broad, balanced, and targeted geographical area.

As the climate crisis becomes more severe, the significance of citizen science in climate crisis is paramount. Through the active participation of communities in projects such as ScienceUs, we not only improve our comprehension of environmental challenges but also cultivate a shared responsibility. Enabling citizens’ science to actively contribute to climate research is a vital stride in constructing a sustainable future for our planet. The ScienceUs and its actions showcase the power of collective action in lessening the effects of climate change and securing a healthier, more resilient world for future generations.

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”