OBJECTIVES
The project leverages citizen science to promote climate action and environmental protection. Objectives: strengthen citizens’ understanding of monitoring for climate change; build skills to organize and join initiatives; improve digital literacy for technology use in community monitoring; raise awareness of fossil fuel impacts; and broaden access to environmental data for education, campaigns, events, and policy co-creation.
TARGET
Main target are environmentally aware adults wishing to play an active role in assessing fossil fuel impacts. They form a community of practice, co-design activities and exchange knowledge with local partners. Other stakeholders include policymakers, NGOs, networks, schools, universities, extractive companies, and scientists. All contribute to awareness, youth engagement, policy uptake, peer learning, and stronger monitoring impact.
RESULTS
The project delivers four main results. An e-booklet collects EU best practices in citizen science, bridging research and society. The ERICA training methodology, with modules on monitoring, sensing and data advocacy, empowers adults in climate action. The e-learning platform ensures wide access, sharing results and fostering peer learning. Finally, the pilot evaluation plan assesses fossil fuel monitoring and overall impact.
About the platform
The ERICA e-Learning Platform was created to provide a clear, accessible, and practical pathway for understanding and applying citizen science methodologies in environmental monitoring, with a special focus on fossil fuels impacts. Its main goal is to empower learners – citizens, students, practitioners, and civic organizations – to engage meaningfully in data collection, interpretation, and decision-making processes.
The platform offers a structured training programme composed of three thematic modules: citizen engagement in environmental monitoring, technologies for air–water–soil pollution tracking, and the production of actionable knowledge.
The three module blends theory and practice through lessons, real-world case studies, and guidance on implementing citizen science approaches using open and frugal technologies. All modules include a set of learning resources: an overview, a curriculum, short video lectures, FAQs, and a short final quiz test. The modules are organised as follow:
Module 1: Citizens Science and Modes of Engagement
Lesson 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction to citizen science
1.2 Introduction on four main modes of participation
Lesson 2: Citizen engagement in practice
2.1 Interview with Giorgio Santoriello (Cova Contro)
2.2 Interview with Adrià Pallejà (Cel Net)
Module 2: Technologies for environmental monitoring
Lesson 1: Tools for monitoring air pollutants related with fossil fuel industries
1.1 Commercial low and medium cost sensors
1.2 DIY sensors
1.3 Other citizen science approaches for air monitoring
Lesson 2: Tools for monitoring water and soil pollutants related with fossil fuel industries
2.1 Commercial tools
2.2 Other citizen science approaches for water and soil monitoring
Module 3: Actionable knowledge in citizen science
Lesson 1: What is actionable knowledge?
1.1 Definition of actionable knowledge in citizen science
1.2 Challenging dimension of actionable knowledge: legitimacy, credibility and uncertainty
Lesson 2: Actionable knowledge and uncertainty
2.1 Navigating Uncertainty
Modules
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Project partners
ERICA Project – No 2023-1-NL01-KA220-ADU-000154929
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 Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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