The RIECS-Concept project aims to conceptualise the European Research Infrastructure for Excellence in Citizen Science that will leverage both citizens’ resources (such as mobile phones, desktop computers, etc.) and scientific existing resources (citizen science platforms, data collections, existing research infrastructures, etc.) and will provide transversal services to the research community.

Citizen science is a vital part of research, tapping into the collective power of individuals to gather data and solve complex problems. However, fragmented resources, inefficient workflows, and a lack of integration between diverse platforms and tools limit the potential of citizen science to reach its full potential. Researchers often struggle with the interoperability of data and resources across domains. The RIECS-Concept is a step forward in citizen science.

By addressing the challenges of fragmentation in the citizen science landscape across Europe and globally, recognising the evolving role of society as an active partner in scientific endeavours, and ensuring long-term sustainable development, the RIECS-Concept will foster cross-disciplinary and multilevel collaboration. The project will contribute to improving the quality of citizen science data and will support initiatives that strive to achieve meaningful social and scientific impacts.