Life projects and Citizen Science (CSMON-LIFE)

In the framework of the LIFE programme, the European Commission is funding several projects with at least a partial focus on citizen science activities. The Project CSMON-LIFE (http://www.csmon-life.eu) started in June 2014, with the aim of contributing to the dissemination of citizen science approaches in collecting biodiversity data in Italy. Citizen science approaches are well developed in Northern Europe, Northern America and Australia, and are becoming more and more common all over the world. In Europe especially, the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) project in the British Isles, together with other relevant initiatives inm other countries, demonstrated that citizen science activities can produce reliable biodiversity data, and led to the formation of the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA). CSMON-LIFE built on the experience of previous experiences in Italy and abroad to address several environmental problems by monitoring target species. The project aimed also at improving the knowledge base for biodiversity policy in Italy, namely the Italian National Biodiversity Network. Hence, CSMON-LIFE promoted an active collaboration among scientists, public administrations and citizens in discovering, monitoring and protecting biodiversity. Citizens have been involved both in data collection and validation, thus accelerating the progress towards the objectives of the European 2020 biodiversity strategy. While participating to project activities, citizens became more aware of the importance of conservation and management of biodiversity at local and global scale, and gained a better understanding of environmental policies. Furthermore, they become able to ask for new strategic approaches in environmental management, when and where necessary. Progresses in citizens’ awareness and skills have been especially highlighted by some successful activities, which started “from below”, when citizens asked for new, more focused (to their interest/area of influence) monitoring activities, after participating to the project’s original monitoring campaigns.