Recommendations to mainstream citizen science in policy

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What is this about?

This document provides recommendations on how to integrate citizen science more effectively into policymaking at local, national, and European levels. It emphasizes the increasing role of citizens in generating data, contributing local knowledge, and supporting evidence-based decisions. The report identifies major barriers including limited awareness, inadequate funding, lack of standardized methods, and weak links between policymakers and citizen science practitioners and offers practical steps to address them. Key recommendations focus on establishing supportive legal and institutional frameworks, improving data quality and accessibility, and incorporating citizen-generated evidence into policies related to the environment, public health, urban planning, and sustainability. It urges policymakers to recognize citizen science as a credible source of scientific data, ensure long-term investment, and integrate participatory approaches into strategic agendas such as the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The document also highlights the importance of capacity-building, cross-sector collaboration, and harmonized methodologies to enhance data reliability. It calls for platforms that connect citizens, researchers, and institutions, and for incentives that encourage participation and recognition. Overall, the aim is to shift citizen science from isolated projects to a mainstream, systematic instrument that strengthens transparency, public engagement, and inclusive knowledge in policy development.

Why is this important?

Mainstreaming citizen science is crucial because it enables more inclusive, real-time, and locally grounded data for better policy decisions. Traditional research alone cannot capture all environmental and societal challenges, especially those requiring continuous monitoring such as air quality, biodiversity loss, and climate impacts. By involving the public, governments gain access to larger datasets, improved societal trust, and greater policy legitimacy. It also empowers communities, increases scientific literacy, and supports behavioral change. Recognizing citizen science in policy unlocks funding, long-term support, and institutional acceptance, shifting it from small-scale initiatives to meaningful governance tools. This contributes directly to EU priorities on sustainability, digital transformation, and democratic engagement.

For whom is this important?

Research Institutions and UniversitiesEuropean Union institutions and environmental authoritiesPolicymakers and government agenciesPublic health and environmental monitoring agenciesFunding bodies

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