• Citizen Science in European UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Workshop Proceedings.

From 3rd to 7th February 2025, 33 participants from 17 European countries gathered on the Isle of Vilm, Germany, to explore the potential of citizen science (CS) in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs). Hosted by the Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI) and funded by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), the workshop aimed to advance the Lima Action Plan and the Eberswalde Declaration by exploring how CS in BRs can increase collaboration with local communities, support environmental education, advance data collection and analysis and strengthen research. The workshop programme included presentations, discussion rounds, group work and opportunities for informal exchange. While some presentations focused on conceptualising CS, most shared and reflected on practical experiences with it in BRs. It was noted that CS encompasses a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from citizens using apps to collect data (e.g., on birds) to research projects initiated and conducted by non-(academic) scientists. Participants shared a strong belief in the power of CS to generate data, engage communities and inspire action. Furthermore, some presentations revealed an intrinsic motivation among local communities to be involved in CS. In terms of education, it was revealed that CS can foster a sense of locality and place attachment, as well as trigger community action through experiential learning. Many speakers emphasised collaboration on both local and global scales as essential for ensuring effective CS, emphasising the value of existing networks, early engagement and transdisciplinary partnerships. Identified challenges included difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled participants, ensuring data quality and long-term data governance and the lack of (long-term) funding. The case studies revealed that the co-creation of knowledge through CS requires spaces of respectful communication, which often means that scientists need to leave their disciplines to acknowledge different knowledge domains and framings of issues. Participants also called for more meaningful collaboration with schools, policymakers and local groups, while the need for user-friendly tools, training, expert validation and inclusive communication was repeatedly stressed. Furthermore, it was revealed that evaluation criteria specifically designed to assess CS projects and their impacts are still lacking. Additionally, participants called for increased promotion of CS by UNESCO. Solutions proposed included the better identification of local research needs, the continuous reflection of the research process and evaluating to what extent different expectations have been met. Participants emphasised the need for better platforms to exchange knowledge and good practices across BRs, and special attention was given to providing opportunities for youth to be part of CS in BRs, which would contribute not only to the production of knowledge, but also nurture the emotional connection to nature and create opportunities for lifelong learning. Many participants highlighted the need for BR-specific research guidelines, and these were further developed during the workshop, with a focus on the synergies between research and CS. Importantly, as a result of this workshop, the German Commission for UNESCO decided to add CS as a criterion for the designation and evaluation of German BRs. Overall, the workshop showed that CS holds great potential for BRs to bridge science and society and to foster inclusive, participatory sustainable development.