Citizen science across all phases of a climate citizens' assembly 

This section outlines practical activities for embedding citizen science in each phase of a climate assembly. Each activity includes two illustrative examples: one focused on air quality and another on sustainable mobility, showcasing how different types of projects can align with climate adaptation themes and community priorities. 

Framing phase 

• Identify and address local concerns through citizen science 

Use existing citizen science projects and data to highlight environmental or social concerns voiced by communities of practice. These insights can guide early agenda-setting in the assembly. 

Air Quality Example: Use citizen-collected data to identify pollution hotspots near schools or main roads and include the community involved in the project in early framing discussions. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Leverage citizen driven initiative (e.g., BiciBus) and citizen-reported data (e.g., BiciZen) on active mobility to spotlight needed intervention for sustainable mobility. 

• Map existing citizen science projects relevant to the assembly topics 

Identify and engage existing citizen science initiatives in your region related to the assembly's themes. This can include organizations, research groups, or grassroots communities actively contributing to projects related to climate action, and particularly in climate adaptation.  

Air Quality Example: Identify local groups using low-cost air sensors (e.g., Luftdaten or Sensor.Community) to monitor air pollution in neighborhoods. Invite them to contribute data or insights to the assembly. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Connect with communities using GPS or mobile apps (e.g., StreetComplete, OpenStreetMap) to document pedestrian and cyclist safety or infrastructure gaps. 

Learning Phase 

• Invite testimonials from citizen scientists and showcase ongoing projects 

Bring in active citizen scientists to share their experiences. This fosters empathy, inspiration, and connection while building trust in citizen-generated data providing an experiential knowledge for all the participants. 

Air Quality Example: Invite a local citizen who installed and tracked air quality monitors to share how it influenced their perception of pollution and health. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Feature a community volunteer who participated in mapping safe cycling routes and how their findings sparked local debate. 

• Facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops and hands-on data activities 

Organize participatory workshops or demonstrations with local citizen science initiatives where participants can engage with data collection, analysis, or interpretation first-hand. 

Air Quality Example: Conduct a workshop where participants use sensors to measure PM2.5 in different parts of the city and compare findings. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Facilitate a participatory mapping session to identify barriers to walkability or accessibility in different neighbourhoods. 

• Engage a core group of citizen scientists in the assembly process 

Invite a consistent group of citizen scientists to act as liaisons or contributors throughout the assembly, bringing continuity and grounded perspectives. 

Air Quality Example: A group involved in long-term air monitoring joins various sessions, contributing their longitudinal data and community insights. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Citizen mappers participate in workshops and deliberations, offering real-time mobility data from their monitoring efforts. 

• Use visual data displays to inform and engage participants 

Create accessible, visual representations (e.g., maps, graphs, dashboards) of citizen-generated data and design interactive activities around them. 

Air Quality Example: Present heat maps of local air pollution levels and facilitate group discussions on patterns and policy responses. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Use route maps showing areas of frequent cyclist-reported incidents and prompt participants to propose solutions. 

• Embed citizen science in public spaces during the assembly 

 Encourage schools, libraries, or civic centres to host citizen science installations, exhibits, or workshops aligned with assembly topics. 

Air Quality Example: Install a live air quality dashboard in the local library showing current sensor readings and educational materials. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Set up an interactive wall map in a community centre where residents can add mobility challenges or ideas. 

Recommendations Phase 

• Incorporate citizen science findings into policy recommendations 

Use the outcomes of citizen science projects as evidence to support or refine the assembly’s policy recommendations. 

Air Quality Example: Integrate localised air quality data into urban planning recommendations (e.g., creating low-emission zones) 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Use pedestrian and cyclist data to prioritise infrastructure investment in underserved or impacted areas (e.g., school streets). 

Follow-up Phase 

• Create or connect with citizen observatories to monitor policy impact 

Establish or involve existing citizen observatories to track the long-term effects of implemented policies. 

Air Quality Example: Launch or support a community air monitoring network to evaluate the impact of new traffic regulations (e.g., low-emission zones). 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Engage citizen mappers to document walkability or traffic safety changes following policy changes. 

• Report back on policy implementation using citizen-collected data 

Provide transparent updates to participants on whether and how recommendations are being implemented, using citizen science data for accountability. 

Air Quality Example: Compare post-policy implementation air quality levels using data from the same citizen sensors deployed before. 

Sustainable Mobility Example: Track and report changes in sidewalk or bike lane infrastructure using before-and-after citizen mapping efforts. 

A journey of a citizen science project on air quality across a climate citizens’ assembly 

In the context of a climate citizens’ assembly, we propose a journey to co-create a citizen science initiative focused on local air quality. The project runs through all assembly phases, from the early framing of the assembly to follow-up on the recommendations, empowering citizens to generate meaningful knowledge and shape policy recommendations grounded in lived experience and evidence. 

Framing the assembly 

At the outset, citizens were invited to participate in a workshop to share their concerns about air pollution. Participants raised issues ranging from childhood asthma and traffic congestion to the lack of green space. These discussions helped identify air quality as a central theme for the assembly. Together with researchers and local NGOs, the organising team co-designed a participatory monitoring project. A task force of volunteers and assembly participants was formed to help define the scope of the project, select locations for air quality monitoring, and determine what pollutants to track, primarily PM2.5 and NO2. 

Learning by doing 

As the assembly moved into its learning phase, organisers assisted by participants, deployed low-cost air quality sensors around key locations: schools, busy intersections, parks, and residential areas. Alongside sensor installation, learning sessions were held to explain what these pollutants mean for health and how to interpret the collected data. Citizens attended data literacy workshops and heard testimonials from vulnerable community members affected by pollution. Real-time maps and graphs were used to visualise air pollution trends, sparking further discussions. These activities helped bridge scientific knowledge with local, everyday experience. 

From evidence to recommendations 

During the deliberation phase, the air quality data collected by citizens was used to inform policy discussions. The results revealed pollution hotspots near schools and along key transit corridors. Assembly members analysed these findings and debated a range of interventions, from low-emission zones and traffic-calming measures to urban greening initiatives. Working groups drafted specific recommendations, such as creating “clean-air school zones” and investing in more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. These proposals were shaped directly by the citizen-generated data and supported by input from environmental health researchers and urban planners. 

Sustaining impact and accountability 

Following the assembly, the monitoring effort transitioned into a semi-permanent community-led air observatory. Sensors remained in place, and a website was launched to publicly share updated air quality data. Local schools integrated monitoring into their science curricula, turning it into a living classroom activity. Regular community check-ins were established to assess the impact of the recommended policies, such as reduced traffic emissions or increased tree cover. Citizens not only helped measure change but also held policymakers accountable by tracking whether air quality improved in targeted zones.