Congratulations, you have completed all parts of the training! You now know all the relevant basics about Citizen Science and have experienced for yourself what it is like to participate in a Citizen Science project. You can check your progress by completing the self-reflection from the Introduction once again.
You should now be ready to start your project as you have the following materials to hand:
- A clear scope and description of your project.
- A clear picture of the target group and the environment in which your project will take place.
- An overview of all relevant tasks.
- A rough plan of the project phases and the team
- A concept for communication with the volunteers.
- An overview of expectations and a strategy for managing expectations.
- Texts for the recruitment of volunteers and partners.
You have also practiced some very important skills for running a Citizen Science project:
- Describe your project in plain language for non-scientists.
- Approach people you don't know outside your organization and talk to them about the project.
- Carry out iterative tests to check whether your materials and procedures work.
- Carry out basic project planning.
- Empathize with people and create a safe space for them.
On the page „Scie Citizens 2.0“ there are further learning modules to help you implement the project.
Further reading
Checklists for Citizen Science Projects
- Set up your own citizen science program https://citizenscience.org.au/set-up-your-own-citizen-science-program/
- Continous improvement: Step 5 — Sustain and Improve Your Project https://www.citizenscience.gov/toolkit/howto/step5/#
Funding a Citizen Science Project
- Ethics in a Citizen Science Project https://crnonline.de/project/success/
- The Citizen Science Funding Landscape – TIME4CS webinar https://yewtu.be/watch?v=wTBJThe1qyc
- Citizen Science Toolkit – Designing your project and securing funding https://www.una-europa.eu/knowledge-hub/toolkits/citizen-science-toolkit/designing-your-project-and-securing-funding#content
Ethics in a Citizen Science Project
- Find out what Responsible Research and Innovation means, why it is important and how to foster it: https://rri-tools.eu/about-rri
- Ethics Resources https://participatorysciences.org/resources/ethics/
- Data Ethics in the Participatory Sciences Toolkit https://participatorysciences.org/resources/data-ethics/
Data handling
- Guide to Data Charter for Citizen Science https://www.scivil.be/sites/default/files/media-library/files/2024-01/Scivil%20Data%20Guide%20-%20EN%20-%20oct2021.pdf
Communication management
- Communication Plan Template: https://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0013/100516/Communications-plan-template.docx
- Social media management for citizen science projects https://eu-citizen.science/resource/265
Quality Assurance & Documentation
Citizen Science Handbook – Quality Assurance and Documentation https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-03/documents/508_csqapphandbook_3_5_19_mmedits.pdf