Alliance Cases

Citizen Observatories Enhancing and Expanding CitiObs Approaches

Alliance Cases are newly engaged Citizen Observatories that joined the CitiObs project to expand its reach and impact across Europe.

They collaborate closely with the Frontrunner Cases and the project team to test CitiObs tools, provide local knowledge, and adapt methodologies to diverse urban contexts. Through mentoring sessions, peer exchange, and pilot activities, the Alliance Cases help validate and scale up the project’s solutions. Their experiences and insights will be integrated into the CitiObs Knowledge Platform and Cookbook, ensuring they reflect the needs of real communities.

CitiObs is offering the Alliance cases the following:

📌Online webinars and workshops on how to implement CitiObs tools tailored to meet the specific needs.

📌Networking and peer-learning with other Citizen Observatories in CitiObs and connection to Communities of Practice, FabLabs, Maker Spaces and Creatives.

📌An in-person study travel to one of the cities in CitiObs.

📌Opportunity to connect data to the CitiObs data hub, using our data validation and managing algorithms.

📌Environmental sensors from Smart Citizen.

 

The Alliance Cases

AirCarto

Based in Marseille, France, AirCarto designs open-source air quality sensors and collaborates with NGOs and public administrations to collect data and raise awareness. They focus on urban environmental challenges, including noise levels, climate change, and traffic pollution. Their network of sensors in southern France engages schools and communities to address air pollution.

AiREAS

Based in Marseille, France, AirCarto designs open-source air quality sensors and collaborates with NGOs and public administrations to collect data and raise awareness. They focus on urban environmental challenges, including noise levels, climate change, and traffic pollution. Their network of sensors in southern France engages schools and communities to address air pollution.

BiblioLab Ciència Refugis Climàtics

A Barcelona initiative educating students on heatwaves and climate shelters through workshops and art-science activities. Partnering with public libraries, this project teaches students how to identify cooler, safer routes to climate shelters through workshops and citizen science.

Chios Living Lab

Monitoring PM2.5 in Greece’s Aegean Islands, this lab provides real-time air quality data and educates the public on pollution. Through ENIRISST+, the data is displayed in real time with guidance for public understanding and sensor use.

ClujCitySense

A Romanian initiative engaging citizens in air quality monitoring and environmental education in Cluj-Napoca. Combining education and IoT, ClujCitySense engages citizens in air pollution monitoring and awareness. It promotes sustainability and data literacy among youth.

CS4Fire

Within the CS4Fire project, Smart Citizen Kits will be deployed to selected urban neighborhoods to collect high-resolution temperature data through citizen engagement. This initiative utilizes a citizen science framework to generate hyperlocal environmental data relevant to urban heat and wildfire risk mapping. The collected data will support spatiotemporal analysis, contribute to early warning mechanisms, and feed into integrated urban risk governance models. The methodology aims to bridge community participation with sensor-based monitoring to enhance adaptive capacity and inform evidence-based policy interventions.

De Oorzaak

This Belgian initiative measures environmental noise in three cities, with 10,000 citizens participating in surveys about noise impacts. They also explore heat and drought effects (e.g., CurieuzeNeuzen) and develop citizen science projects on soil moisture and temperature in multiple regions.

GIShub Italy

Focusing on urban heat and air pollution in the Italian cities of Padova and Bologna, this group employs geospatial technologies to support alternative approaches to urban management and planning grounded in the principles of sustainable development, fairness, and equity. The initiative brings together active citizens and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) through participatory processes, making use of geoICT tools and sustainability education to promote inclusive, data-informed urban transformations.

GRAVITAS

A Barcelona-based project studying indoor environmental quality, health and climate justice for senior tenants, combining citizen science with policy advocacy. It focuses on older adults and uses citizen science to create equitable climate solutions. GRAVITAS in Barcelona is part of the larger HEAT project, with study hubs also in Vancouver and NYC.

Haastrecht

A Dutch federation combating motor vehicle noise pollution through advocacy and citizen action. Haastrecht residents advocate for quieter roads by collecting and sharing local sound data.

Ioannina Commons

Ioannina Commons is a grassroots association based in Ioannina, Greece, committed to sustainable urban development through the protection and reactivation of public space as a common good. Τhe citizens' association aims to preserve, improve, and expand public spaces and to foster active civic participation in urban matters. Through participatory and data-driven activities—such as public space mapping— Ioannina Commons empowers citizens to shape their environment collectively, promoting data-driven citizen participation and democratic engagement.

Lichens GO

Built on the success of PartiCitaE, Lichens GO involves residents in monitoring air, water, and land quality. The project adapts to local needs and aims to explore new issues such as land use and climate change effects.

MINKA

A Spanish biodiversity observatory contributing to UN SDGs. With over 267,000 observations, it engages a vibrant community in tracking urban and marine biodiversity and environmental indicators.

MultiPart

A Slovenian project linking environmental pollution to health, MultiPart engages locals, scientists, and stakeholders. Participants use sensors, provide samples, and co-develop solutions to improve well-being and environmental health in anthropogenically disturbed areas.

MykoDovkilja

A Ukrainian educational center studying air/water quality and seismic activity. Based in a children’s library, this observatory uses accessible tools like seismographs and air sensors to engage students and families in environmental monitoring and research.

MySense

Operating in the Netherlands, MySense measures agricultural dust with PM sensors. Despite low political commitment, they test sensors, analyze data, and advise governments, sharing results under an open-source license.

National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Ukrainian researchers from NaUKMA's Department of Environmental Studies conduct interconnected research on a range of critical environmental issues. They study the impacts of war on ecosystems and biodiversity, examine urban heat islands and air quality, explore the ecological and social benefits of urban green spaces, and assess climate change effects on ecosystems. Integrating citizen science, they also engage students in hands-on research focused on climate adaptation and environmental recovery.

OdourCollect / SoundCollect

Global tools mapping odour and noise pollution. OdourCollect addresses health impacts, while SoundCollect identifies quiet areas to improve urban well-being.

Oude Haven Sound monitoring Rotterdam

A Dutch group measuring nightlife noise pollution in Rotterdam’s port area to advocate for quieter neighborhoods. Their aim is to gather solid evidence to advocate for improved regulation.

Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University

A Ukrainian hub for youth-led research on air pollution (e.g., dust, formaldehyde) in Mykolaiv, fostering scientific inquiry and environmental awareness. Their goal is to understand and address the local environmental impact of military actions.

Rákos-patak / ZÖLD XVII

A Hungarian initiative monitoring water quality in Budapest’s Rákos Creek. They aim to restore the watercourse and expand into air quality citizen science.

Roma UP

An Italian project monitoring Rome’s air/water quality and urban heat, empowering communities through participatory science.  It offers training in citizen science and advocacy to address urban environmental challenges.

Samen Meten Zuid-Holland

A Dutch network of citizen science initiatives in Zuid-Holland focused on air quality. They emphasize community building and knowledge sharing among diverse local projects to amplify impact. Each group operates independently but benefits from collaboration and collective learning.

Senzorvzduchu, z.s.

A Czech NGO raising awareness about air quality through citizen monitoring. They build sensors, organize workshops, and collaborate with international organizations to combat air pollution. They’ve measured NO₂ levels in multi-year campaigns and advocate for better government oversight.

SHINE

An Irish project designing sensors, informed by stakeholders' insights, to be deployed in social housing. The sensor will monitor indoor air quality and empower vulnerable residents through technological innovations. SHINE aims to improve health outcomes and support climate resilience in housing for low-income communities.

SmartRadon

A Romanian project monitoring indoor radon, CO2, and VOC levels to improve home air quality. SmartRadon monitors indoor radon and other air parameters. Starting with 100 users, the project aims to scale up awareness of indoor environmental quality in Romanian homes.

Viadukaduk Measurement Action

A Belgian NGO monitoring noise and air pollution near a Ghent highway bridge, collaborating with universities for data-driven advocacy. With 25 Smart Citizen Kits and academic partners, they advocate for removal of the E17 highway in the current form from their neighborhood. The government motivated by their action is currently running a so called Complex Project procedure to achieve this. They monitor and follow-up on this procedure.

Waterland vzw

A Belgian group collecting water quality data via E.coli campaigns, sensors, and biodiversity surveys in Flanders. Their goal is to understand and protect Flemish water ecosystems.

Web2Learn

“AirLimnos” is a citizen science initiative carried out in the remote island of Limnos, Greece. AirLimnos initiative’s objectives are twofold: a) citizen-driven mapping and monitoring of air quality in Limnos through the placement of air quality sensors in areas with high urban density (Myrina, Moudros, and the Limnos airport); b) raise awareness, educate and engage locals in monitoring and advocating for air quality in their island.

Wildfires Citizen Observatory

Addressing Sicily’s wildfire crisis, this platform crowdsources data to improve fire registries and community resilience. It aims to create a real-time registry and support better risk management.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Project Data

  • Project Coordinator: Dr. Nuria Castell, NILU
  • EU Contribution: 4.991.205 €
  • Start Date: 01 January 2023
  • Duration: 48 Months

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