TOWARDS A PAN-EUROPEAN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EXCELLENT CITIZEN SCIENCE

The RIECS-Concept (Towards A Pan-European Research Infrastructure For Excellent Citizen Science) project officially started on January 1, 2025, thus marking the beginning of an ambitious initiative to build a strong foundation for the future of citizen science in Europe. The project is set for 36 months and will deliver a conceptual design with a feasibility study and a five-year implementation plan. It will tackle technical, societal, and environmental challenges to establish a sustainable and shared Research Infrastructure.

RIECS-Concept aims to conceptualise the new research infrastructure in Europe through the engagement of multiple stakeholders and acknowledging society as a part of the research infrastructure. The projects will bridge typical citizens‘ used resources, such as mobile apps, amateur scientific kits or personal accessibility, with professional scientific resources, such as databases, federated computing and storage facilities, citizen science platforms, and dedicated personnel. The RIECS-Concept will form the base for initiating the unique research infrastructure and consolidating citizen science in Europe.

The RIECS-Concept focuses on three scientific areas – environmental observations, health, and climate change – to facilitate engagement and address cross-cutting issues. These areas serve as a basis for examining citizen science as a scientific case.

RIECS-Concept has three key objectives.

• Assessing Feasibility and Addressing Challenges.
• Developing a Strategic Roadmap
• Fostering Open and Participatory Governance

By addressing the challenges of fragmentation in the citizen science landscape across Europe and globally, recognizing the evolving role of society as an active partner in scientific endeavours, and ensuring long-term sustainable development, RIECS-Concept will foster cross-disciplinary and multilevel collaboration. These efforts contribute to improving the quality of citizen science data and support initiatives striving for meaningful societal and scientific impacts.