Lunchtime Inspiration Session: Inclusion in working with citizens

Layers of Values: Exploring Impact in Culture, Art and Education

On 25 September 2025, in the framework of MONDIACULT 2025, Layers of values: Exploring Impact in Culture, Art and Education will take place as an international meeting dedicated to advancing inclusive impact assessment in the arts, culture, and education sectors. In a time when social inclusion, civic participation, emotional well-being, and ecological transition are urgent priorities, the convergence of arts, culture, and education has proven to be a driver for building more diverse, resilient, and imaginative societies. Yet, despite the richness of this field, many initiatives still operate in isolation, and valuable learning remains fragmented. The event will gather projects, practitioners, and researchers working at the intersection of culture, education, and research to address complex evaluation challenges: capturing intangible outcomes, defining success with vulnerable groups or informal settings, and measuring layered impacts that go beyond simple metrics. Drawing on the New European Bauhaus values — beauty, sustainability, and inclusion — it will offer a space for peer exchange, co-creation, and methodological innovation. Organised by the EU-funded PULSE-ART project, in cooperation with European Citizen Science (ECS), the meeting aims to embed diversity not as an optional goal, but as a foundational condition for equitable impact. It will also strengthen connections between cultural, educational, and citizen science initiatives, paving the way for shared tools and collaborative frameworks. If your work touches on culture, education, or citizen science — and you are committed to developing rigorous, inclusive evaluation practices — this event offers a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and shape the future of impact assessment

IMPETUS Open Call For Citizen Science Projects

Empowering Citizen Science: IMPETUS Launches its Final Open Call for Innovative Projects The IMPETUS project seeks innovative and impactful projects that harness the power of citizen science to address critical societal challenges. Two Exciting Opportunities in this Open Call: -European Union Prize for Citizen Science -IMPETUS Citizen Science Accelerator Programme This open call runs from January 7th to March 10th, 2025 (23:59 CET) for the European Union Prize for Citizen Science and until March 13th, 2025 (23:59 CET) for the IMPETUS Accelerator Programme. European Union Prize for Citizen Science: IMPETUS wants to put outstanding citizen science front and centre with the European Union Prize for Citizen Science. IMPETUS celebrates the success and diversity of Citizen Science across Europe and ensures that this fantastic work gets the recognition it deserves. The European Union Prize for Citizen Science consists of three main awards. A Grand Prize of 60,000€ and two additional prizes for projects that best demonstrate how citizen science can be used to promote Diversity and Collaboration, and Digital Communities, each will be awarded 20,000€. But we also know that there is so much excellent citizen science happening in Europe right now, so IMPETUS will give honorary mentions to 27 additional projects, who will have their work showcased alongside the winners of the three prizes at the 2025 Ars Electronica Science and Technology Festival, on September 3-7, 2025 Linz, Austria. IMPETUS Accelerator: do you have an idea for a citizen science project or are coordinating an initiative that focuses on: Citizen Science to Promote Circular Communities. -Resource Management. -Infrastructure and Housing. -Disaster Resilience. Citizen Science for a Fair and Just Society. -Democracy and Peace -Inclusion -Public Trust and Empowerment. If your project could benefit from funding, mentorship, and training to take your work to the next level. Then, the IMPETUS Accelerator programme could be for you. To learn more about the Open Call, head over to the IMPETUS website or join us at one of our explainer webinars on the 22nd of January (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/impetus-open-call-2025-webinar-1-tickets-1145437537509?aff=oddtdtcreator) or the 19th of February at 10:00 CET to have all your questions answered. The IMPETUS project aims to promote citizen science at all levels and to help these projects achieve their impressive goals. Head over to the IMPETUS website to learn more- https://impetus4cs.eu/opencall/.

YouCount: Save the dates for Final Conference 4-5 December 2023

Youth Citizen Social Science contributing to social inclusion How can we shape an inclusive society for young people at risk of exclusion in Europe? What role can Citizen Science play in this endeavour? The Horizon 2020 research and innovation project YouCount explored these questions through co-creative research with youth and local stakeholders in nine countries across ten cases. After two years of hands-on Youth Citizen Social Science work, YouCount will share experiences and look ahead to discuss findings and potential impacts on EU policies and beyond. Program: The first day includes a seminar focusing on hands-on Youth Citizen Social Science and a welcome reception. The final conference takes place on the second day where we will discuss implications of key findings with stakeholders and policymakers. On both days, the voices of our young co-researchers will be amplified during presentations, interactive sessions, round table discussions and an exhibition. The event will be free of charge and partly hybrid. Event location: DECEMBER 4, 2023 | 14.00-17.00 & 18.00-20.30 | Nordic House, Rue du Luxembourg 3/5 DECEMBER 5, 2023 | 09.00-17.00 | Hotel NH Brussels EU Berlaymont, Bd Charlemagne 11/19 - tagg "YouCount"

Stories from the YouCount Youth - On new perspectives, being heard more deeply and belonging.

YouCount is working to co-create new knowledge and innovations to increase youth social inclusion. Since 2020, 100s of young people from local communities and 30 students from universities have worked with researchers on 10 research questions in 9 different countries. This webinar is a unique opportunity for you to learn about the YouCount project. 16 of these young people co-created this webinar and some of them will share their stories from the YouCount project. This includes lessons learned and what you should consider for future work with youth like them. Join us to learn about their important work, their results, and their valuable perspectives on engaging youth in citizen social science.

Citizen Science Summer School: Transforming research through public participation

What are the potentials of citizen science for increased dialogue between science and society? How can citizen science contribute to solving societal challenges and transforming science? How do I improve equity and inclusion in and through my participatory research project? What skills and competencies do researchers and citizens need to do citizen science? The Citizen Science Summer School tackles these and other issues from 04-09 June 2023 in Zurich, Switzerland. We welcome researchers from all research institutions and disciplines. However, we also encourage practitioners who work in the field of citizen science to apply! The School is organized by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich. The fee of 290 CHF incl. tax entails access to 5 days of lectures and practical course work, accommodation, lunch and coffee breaks. In cases of special financial burden, we are able to grant a participation fee reduction of CHF 100 for a limited number of applicants. Apply by March 1st, 2023!

Citizen Science: New ways to engage people for more liveable cities [CitiMeasure Final Event]

Join us to celebrate the completion of the CitiMeasure project! For the past two years, our mission has been to engage citizen science practitioners in developing tools and instruments for more liveable cities. In doing so, we launched the first online inventory of participatory air quality initiatives in Europe; we developed guidelines on behaviour and policy change in citizen science; and we came up with competencies and recommendations to increase digital inclusion in citizen science projects. As we look back on past achievements, we will also discuss what the future holds for citizen science. What does it take to make it more mainstream? How do we ensure that citizen science projects are accessible to all? And why is citizen participation so crucial for shaping the cities of tomorrow? Register here: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/Cokv0QqVgEaMp1o28Iic0w,E8q7IUWJ2UyrJtA3WOrCQg,n3HBKWnCMkOaOOMTvBoenw,R9aTRagBfEeG-filZ_e6zw,yVg_cplABk-qc1YciY5iOQ,QeFCcgy2_0mnXv0qE-1Z_Q?mode=read&tenantId=d12f890a-950a-4680-8ca7-5a36f0889cd3

Launch of the CitiMeasure Behaviour & Policy and Digital Inclusion e-guidelines

The CitiMeasure team invites you to join the online webinar where the CitiMeasure Behaviour & Policy and Digital Inclusion guidelines will be launched! These guidelines include recommendations for cities and the citizen community. They result from almost two years of co-creation with more than 40 volunteers from different European organisations and cities. Μore information and the link for registration is here: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/Cokv0QqVgEaMp1o28Iic0w,E8q7IUWJ2UyrJtA3WOrCQg,n3HBKWnCMkOaOOMTvBoenw,6pk4AjYipU6J99quHjk1Pw,rYpPVDddpU6szMeNyQbORA,rz7Fw5ZyJEytfSdAA-ntjw?mode=read&tenantId=d12f890a-950a-4680-8ca7-5a36f0889cd3&skipauthstrap=1

2022 Ecsite Conference

The 2022 Ecsite Conference will be a unique professional development opportunity, offering an intense mix of intellectual stimulation, purposeful and creative sessions, business opportunities, and unparalleled networking …. all true to the spirit of the Ecsite community - creative, engaging, open and professional. The 2022 Conference edition will be held at a very special place with a unique atmosphere: at a camp in the city of Heilbronn, hosted by experimenta science centre. With its surprising and unusual spaces, it will provide places and moments for stopping to take a deep breath, for reflection, for manifold inspiring encounters – and it will allow us to look at the things we do from new perspectives. Browse the Conference programme, full of sessions submitted by your peers and curated by the Conference Programme Committee. This year the programme focuses on topics of the biodiversity and climate crisis, 21st Century Skills, as well as equity, diversity and inclusion, with much more to discover!

YouCount webinar: Transformative & Innovative Impact

Young people in Europe are facing many challenges with regard to social inclusion (e.g. social participation, employment, social belonging). There is a pressing need to develop more knowledge and innovation to create more inclusive and youth-friendly societies. One way to contribute to this is through Citizen Social Science with young people - Youth Citizen Social Science (Y-CSS). The YouCount project has organised a series of three webinars to discuss central questions of Y-CSS and to create a network of interested people. The third and last webinar "Transformative & Innovative Impact" will take place on the 4th of November. These webinars are for practitioners of Citizen Science, Community-based Research and youth engagement, but people without prior experience are also very welcome. These are exciting conversations, and YouCount is working hard to make them happen in inclusive and equitable ways.

Methodologies & Evaluation: Setting up Youth Citizen Social Science

Young people in Europe are facing many challenges with regard to social inclusion (e.g. social participation, employment, social belonging). There is a pressing need to develop more knowledge and innovation to create more inclusive and youth-friendly societies. One way to contribute to this is through Citizen Social Science with young people - Youth Citizen Social Science (Y-CSS). This webinar offers an opportunity for exchange on doing Y-CSS in practice and it seeks to mobilise your expertise and feedback for the YouCount project. Members of the project are developing a framework for setting up case studies in several countries. The challenge is to translate the many ideas surrounding youth citizen social science into practical research and innovations. They will present their concepts and seek your feedback and discussion on how local case studies and integrating frameworks can be designed. Claire Murray (ECSA) will get us started with essential points for practically preparing for youth participation. To illustrate an ambitious ways of how this can be done in a European project, Julie Ridley (UCLan) will give us an overview on the multiple case study approach that is used in YouCount. Then there will be a series of in-depth discussions on key aspects of setting up Y-CSS projects in practice.

How to open up research & innovation to young people?

Young people in Europe are facing many challenges with regard to social inclusion. Social participation, employment, social belonging are important examples. There is a pressing need to develop more knowledge and innovation to create more inclusive and youth-friendly societies. One way to contribute to this is Citizen Social Science with young people - Youth Citizen Social Science (Y-CSS). We organise a series of three webinars to discuss central questions of Y-CSS and to create a network of interested people. The webinars are for practitioners of Citizen Science, Community-based Research and youth engagement. We would be happy to learn from your experience and the questions you bring. We would be particularly grateful for young researchers and youth organisations to take part. We want to learn from their work and perspectives. People without prior experience are of course also very welcome. These are exciting conversations and we are working hard to make them happen in inclusive and equitable ways. Participation in the webinars is open to everybody and free of charge.