Launched on 1 January 2025, the RIECS-Concept project aims to design a pan-European research infrastructure for citizen science. Funded under the Horizon Europe programme, the 36-month project has a budget of almost EUR 3 million and works on the conceptualisation of future research infrastructures for excellent citizen science. It focuses on addressing both technical and non-technical challenges.  

Led by Ibercivis (Spain) and the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA), the project brings together 13 partners from eight countries: Spain, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Serbia, Lithuania and Switzerland. The consortium aims to bridge the gap between different citizen science stakeholders by integrating resources such as mobile applications, databases, computing facilities and dedicated personnel. The RIECS approach focuses on three scientific areas - environmental monitoring, health and climate change - to facilitate engagement and address cross-cutting issues. These areas serve as a basis for investigating citizen science as a scientific case. The three main objectives of RIECS-Concept are to assess the feasibility of developing a future citizen science research infrastructure, to develop a strategic roadmap for implementation, and to promote open and participatory governance. 

The official kick-off meeting took place on 30 January 2025 in Brussels, where the partners discussed the project objectives and strategies. The project coordinators emphasised the need to recognise the potential of citizen science and to create a common infrastructure for long-term sustainability. The RIECS-Concept aims to overcome the fragmentation of European citizen science and to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. It will involve a wide range of stakeholders from science, technology, policy and society in co-designing and road-mapping activities. Over the course of the project, it is expected that the collaboration between scientists and the public will be strengthened, thereby improving the quality and impact of citizen science in Europe for the implementation of a dedicated research infrastructure. 

Further information can be found on the project website.