RIECS-Concept Supports High-Level Policy Event on the Institutionalisation and Long-Term Sustainability of Citizen Science
📢 RIECS-Concept is supporting an upcoming high-level policy event organised by the European Citizen Science (ECS) project “Institutionalisation and Long-Term Sustainability of Citizen Science”, which will be held on Thursday, 19 February 2026, 10:30-12:00 CET online. We warmly invite all partners and stakeholders to participate by registering here ❗
Why This Event Matters
✳️ Citizen science has evolved from a grassroots movement into a strategic research approach contributing to scientific excellence, societal engagement, and evidence-informed policy.
✳️ However, its long-term sustainability depends on structural integration within research systems and institutions.
✨ This policy event will examine how citizen science can be systematically embedded within national and European research ecosystems – with particular attention to the role of research infrastructures in enabling durable support mechanisms.
📌 Key themes include:
⚫ Improving the visibility, interoperability, and reuse of citizen science data.
⚫ Strengthening institutional capacity and cross-sector collaboration.
⚫ Integrating citizen science into national and European monitoring programmes.
⚫ Developing sustainable funding and governance models.
⚫ Enhancing policy recognition and strategic alignment.
✨ The discussion will bring together experts from research infrastructures, policy institutions, and leading citizen science centres to explore concrete pathways for institutionalisation ✨
Confirmed Panelists
✳️ The event will feature a distinguished panel of experts:
⚫ Kyle Copas – Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
⚫ Georgios Papanagnou – European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD).
⚫ Rosy Mondardini – Citizen Science Centre Zurich (UZH/ETH).
⚫ Margaret Gold – Citizen Science Lab, Leiden University.
⚫ Aletta Bonn / Martin Friedrichs-Manthey – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ).
✨ Together, they will address how research infrastructures and policy frameworks can move beyond project-based citizen science toward durable institutional models ✨
🔗 For any questions, please contact nadia.bates@mfn.berlin.
Published 2026-02-16