"The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. " - https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Citizen Science Data that matters
Participation in a Citizen Science App always means contributing to a data-set together with others. By submitting observations and data points, the knowledge within the topic of the project increases and a basis for analysis and research expands. Understanding a problem - or a chance - is the first step in developing an approach to solving the issue or applying a solution. Data from Citizen Science projects can support many areas - from biodiversity over food safety to social inclusion. And the UN Sustainable Development Goals rely on such data.
But public participation is not only data alone. By being active in a Citizen Science App, users will gain insights and learn about our world and the Sustainable Development Goals. By Science Communication and Community Building, Citizen Science Apps educate and provide a digital space for doing good.
Citizen Science Projects themselves further contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals with their research and the generation of new knowledge. Tackling today's issues and creating solutions is a central part of Citizen Science. Examples on the SPOTTERON Platform range from Road Ecology in Project Roadkill to using AI for analyzing worldwide coastal changes due to climate change in CoastSnap.
Core SDGs addressed in our work with Citizen Science and Public Engagement projects:
Good Health and Well-Being
Quality Education
Clean Water And Sanitation
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Climate Action
Life below Water
Life on Land
Another SDG, which is essential within Citizen Science projects, is Gender Equality. Gender aspects and fostering diversity are part of our mission for creating a non-toxic community space for everyone.
Partnerships for Sustainability
With currently 70 Partner entries active in our online partner listing, a broad spectrum of worldwide institutions and stakeholders are active partners in SPOTTERON projects. Partners range from Universities to Government entities to NGOs and the private sector.
While the majority of active Apps on SPOTTERON are coming from a background from the natural sciences, a growing number of projects are tackling social inclusion, youth wellbeing (YouCount), EU food safety (IPM Popillia) or cultural heritage conservation (Bio4Heritage), which address Sustainable Development Goals in the research and innovation funding framework of the European Union like Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.
At SPOTTERON, we are actively working to create a more sustainable future together with stakeholders, institutions and organizations by addressing emerging problems and immersing people directly in science and change. Be also a part of that transformation.