CitiObs is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for citizen observatories and citizen science initiatives to join us and enhance their impact!
Over the past three years, the CitiObs Horizon Europe project has co-created tools and practice-based knowledge to enhance and support existing citizen observatories & citizen science initiatives.
We are looking for 50 active environmental initiatives that are ready to participate in online and live trainings and implement novel tools aimed at amplifying the influence and effectiveness of their initiative.
Why join?
Access to a suite of tools and toolkits to strengthen initiatives, enhance the work, and effectively navigate challenges. Such tools could support data analysis, creative collaborations for environmental protection, or outreach to schools and minority groups.
Opportunity to receive low-cost sensors for environmental monitoring and funds for implementation.
Gain access to workshops & trainings on the CitiObs tools and toolkits, together with other citizen science initiatives.
Opportunities to engage through the CitiObs mailing list and discussion forums with an active network of initiatives collaborating with the project.
Who should apply?
Existing citizen science initiatives that are focused on urban environmental challenges like air quality, noise pollution or urban heat, and that are active in 2026.
What are Citizen Observatories?
Citizen Observatories are community-driven environmental monitoring systems that bring people together to make a real difference right where they live, while also contributing to broader national and global environmental efforts.
Citizen Observatories can empower individuals to use modern mobile and web technologies, along with sensors, to collect and share valuable environmental data. This grassroots approach fills in the gaps and adds rich detail to existing Earth observation systems and official data sources, making our understanding of the environment more comprehensive than ever before. With the proper use of technology and tools, COs can create seamless communication channels between citizens, scientists, and decision-makers. This collaborative flow of data and information not only enhances scientific research but it can also play a crucial role in influencing policy changes and improving environmental governance. Citizen participation in a CO means their observations and insights, if presented properly, can directly impact decisions that shape the health and sustainability of our communities!
About CitiObs
The CitiObs project aims to empower Citizen Observatories across Europe to create, enhance, and scale up inclusive citizen observations. By ensuring that these observations are properly presented and reliable, CitiObs enables them to play a significant role in shaping the future of urban environments and making a tangible difference in community health and well-being! CitiObs isn’t just about gathering data—it’s about recognizing and formalizing the vital contributions that citizens make. To achieve this, CitiObs provides a comprehensive set of tools and methodologies that enable Citizen Observatories to transform co-created data into actionable knowledge. This data, when reliably referenced, can influence relevant policies and decision-making processes. Additionally, CitiObs promotes inclusive participation, ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard loud and clear where it matters most.
CitiObs is a four-year project funded under Horizon Europe by the European Commission. Over its 48-month duration, CitiObs will collaborate with a total of 85 COs involving members from diverse backgrounds, authorities, scientists, and other stakeholders. Working with established COs, CitiObs strives to create, enhance, and scale up inclusive and diverse observatories, fostering citizen engagement in urban environmental monitoring. The project seeks to expand the deployment of COs as part of inclusive multi-stakeholder governance, generating validated data for policy and research, contributing to GEOSS and GEO initiatives, and co-designing local actions to address urban challenges related to pollution and climate change as part of the European Green Deal transition.
For questions, please email: citiobsfellows@lists.nilu.no
