Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CROPS (Curating, Replicating, Orchestrating, and Propogating Citizen Science across Europe)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-01-01 al 2025-06-30
Context:
In the past decade, citizen science has become a proven and accepted methodology across a wide range of scientific disciplines, able to collect new and complementary data which both enhances and adds context to existing data collection methods. By upscaling to a transnational level, citizen science could collect, analyse and exploit a vast amount of data across the ERA and beyond, achieving a higher impact through creating a multinational community of citizen scientists. However, many citizen science initiatives start at a small-scale, facing technical, practical and conceptual changes when attempting to upscale to a wider level, with current EU mechanisms and other networks not providing the support, coordination or resources required to assist their effort.
Overall objectives:
CROPS aspires to inform and evolve the EU Research & Innovation system so that it can adequately support the transition of citizen science from small-scale to a Europe-wide level, moving it towards a modern, open-science approach. It will identify the most suitable citizen science initiatives for upscaling to the Europe-wide level, and in doing so will develop protocols, resources and examples of best practice for the upscaling of citizen science activities, helping practitioners to fully realise the potential impact of their activities towards the Horizon Europe EU Missions.
CROPS will also help citizen science practitioners consider inclusivity, public trust and societal impact, whilst being fully aware of data interoperability requirements, sustainability issues and funding approaches when upscaling their activities. These goals will be pursued through four concurrent and interweaving activities: (i) appraisal of existing citizen practices, their activities and their suitability for upscaling; (ii) creation of protocols and guidance for the upscaling of citizen science, replicating and building on best practice that exists; (iii) identification and guidance regarding practical considerations such as open data sharing, sustainability, RRI and diverse funding opportunities; and (iv) development of transnational citizen science communities, including the establishing of societal coalitions and identification of potential citizen science champions to raise awareness of the potential of citizen science when addressing Horizon Europe EU Mission goals.
In the past decade, citizen science has become a proven and accepted methodology across a wide range of scientific disciplines, able to collect new and complementary data which both enhances and adds context to existing data collection methods. By upscaling to a transnational level, citizen science could collect, analyse and exploit a vast amount of data across the ERA and beyond, achieving a higher impact through creating a multinational community of citizen scientists. However, many citizen science initiatives start at a small-scale, facing technical, practical and conceptual changes when attempting to upscale to a wider level, with current EU mechanisms and other networks not providing the support, coordination or resources required to assist their effort.
Overall objectives:
CROPS aspires to inform and evolve the EU Research & Innovation system so that it can adequately support the transition of citizen science from small-scale to a Europe-wide level, moving it towards a modern, open-science approach. It will identify the most suitable citizen science initiatives for upscaling to the Europe-wide level, and in doing so will develop protocols, resources and examples of best practice for the upscaling of citizen science activities, helping practitioners to fully realise the potential impact of their activities towards the Horizon Europe EU Missions.
CROPS will also help citizen science practitioners consider inclusivity, public trust and societal impact, whilst being fully aware of data interoperability requirements, sustainability issues and funding approaches when upscaling their activities. These goals will be pursued through four concurrent and interweaving activities: (i) appraisal of existing citizen practices, their activities and their suitability for upscaling; (ii) creation of protocols and guidance for the upscaling of citizen science, replicating and building on best practice that exists; (iii) identification and guidance regarding practical considerations such as open data sharing, sustainability, RRI and diverse funding opportunities; and (iv) development of transnational citizen science communities, including the establishing of societal coalitions and identification of potential citizen science champions to raise awareness of the potential of citizen science when addressing Horizon Europe EU Mission goals.
________________________________________
Objective 1: CURATE the current citizen science landscape through screening and identifying suitable projects for upscaling
Developed CROPS Upscaling Framework with nine empirically grounded constructs. Implemented systematic review combining desk research and consortium expertise. Created living database with structured metadata.
Achievements: 518 projects screened (target: >500); 487 assessed (target: >100); 76 high-potential projects identified; Deliverables 2.1 2.2 completed.
________________________________________
Objective 2: REPLICATE and use best practices of scalable projects to support impact realisation
Developed evidence-based protocols for user-centred approaches, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement through literature reviews, workshops, interviews, and surveys.
Achievements: Methodological foundation established; six thematic areas identified; >680 webpage visits (target: >300).
________________________________________
Objective 3: ORCHESTRATE the upscaling process through maximising uptake and sustainability
Analysed 34 open data repositories using structured evaluation framework. Assessed repositories against FAIR principles. Mapped funding models through comprehensive research.
Achievements: Deliverable 4.1 completed; critical findings revealed most platforms lack citizen submission channels; >90% projects rely on public funding; evidence-based funding protocols initiated.
________________________________________
Objective 4: PROPAGATE potential through transnational communities and citizen science champions
Designed scalable online community spaces across five EU Missions. Developed champion identification framework. Conducted literature review (36 papers, 30 projects).
Achievements: Deliverable 5.1 completed; 30 curated resources compiled; 11 champions engaged including youth representatives.
Objective 1: CURATE the current citizen science landscape through screening and identifying suitable projects for upscaling
Developed CROPS Upscaling Framework with nine empirically grounded constructs. Implemented systematic review combining desk research and consortium expertise. Created living database with structured metadata.
Achievements: 518 projects screened (target: >500); 487 assessed (target: >100); 76 high-potential projects identified; Deliverables 2.1 2.2 completed.
________________________________________
Objective 2: REPLICATE and use best practices of scalable projects to support impact realisation
Developed evidence-based protocols for user-centred approaches, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement through literature reviews, workshops, interviews, and surveys.
Achievements: Methodological foundation established; six thematic areas identified; >680 webpage visits (target: >300).
________________________________________
Objective 3: ORCHESTRATE the upscaling process through maximising uptake and sustainability
Analysed 34 open data repositories using structured evaluation framework. Assessed repositories against FAIR principles. Mapped funding models through comprehensive research.
Achievements: Deliverable 4.1 completed; critical findings revealed most platforms lack citizen submission channels; >90% projects rely on public funding; evidence-based funding protocols initiated.
________________________________________
Objective 4: PROPAGATE potential through transnational communities and citizen science champions
Designed scalable online community spaces across five EU Missions. Developed champion identification framework. Conducted literature review (36 papers, 30 projects).
Achievements: Deliverable 5.1 completed; 30 curated resources compiled; 11 champions engaged including youth representatives.
Expected Outcomes:
EO1: Identification of high-impact citizen science initiatives for ERA upscaling
EO2: Establishment of quadruple helix stakeholder coalitions
EO3: Protocols for open transnational data repositories
EO4: Diverse funding mobilisation strategies
Medium/Long-Term Impacts:
• Increased stakeholder collaboration leading to responsible R&I
• Enhanced ERA alignment of citizen science efforts
• Transnational community building
• Contributions to EU Mission objectives
• Increased public trust in science
Scientific Impacts: Knowledge generation on CS contributions to 5 missions; design protocols for CS communication/engagement; data interoperability guidance.
Economic/Technological: Funding models identification; enhanced stakeholder engagement; technological solutions for crowdfunding/sustainability.
Societal: Enhanced ownership through stakeholder engagement; addressing environmental/societal issues via EU missions; bridging science-society gap; accelerating cooperation and policy development.
EO1: Identification of high-impact citizen science initiatives for ERA upscaling
EO2: Establishment of quadruple helix stakeholder coalitions
EO3: Protocols for open transnational data repositories
EO4: Diverse funding mobilisation strategies
Medium/Long-Term Impacts:
• Increased stakeholder collaboration leading to responsible R&I
• Enhanced ERA alignment of citizen science efforts
• Transnational community building
• Contributions to EU Mission objectives
• Increased public trust in science
Scientific Impacts: Knowledge generation on CS contributions to 5 missions; design protocols for CS communication/engagement; data interoperability guidance.
Economic/Technological: Funding models identification; enhanced stakeholder engagement; technological solutions for crowdfunding/sustainability.
Societal: Enhanced ownership through stakeholder engagement; addressing environmental/societal issues via EU missions; bridging science-society gap; accelerating cooperation and policy development.