ERICA Project: Citizen Science for Environmental Monitoring

• A European project that combines science and citizen participation to improve environmental monitoring 

Citizen science becomes a key tool to protect the environment with the ERICA project (Environmental monitoRIng through Civic engAgement). This international initiative, running from 2023 to 2026, seeks to promote collaborative environmental monitoring through innovative tools and the active participation of society. Coordinated by several European institutions, the project involves researchers from the IRBio of the University of Barcelona, Martí Orta and Gorka Muñoa. 

ERICA's main objective is to empower society in monitoring the socio-environmental impacts caused by the fossil fuel industry, making the collection and analysis of environmental data accessible to any interested person. In this way, the aim is to reduce the gap between scientific knowledge and local decision-making. The project aims to provide citizens with tools and resources so that they can initiate and manage their own initiatives, collecting information on environmental quality and converting it into applicable knowledge for communities, administrations and environmental organizations. 

An international consortium to promote citizen science 

The project leader is an international consortium made up of universities, NGOs and companies from different European countries, including the University of Barcelona, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland. In addition, entities such as Cova Contro and Source International in Italy, as well as the European Association for Local Democracy in France, also play an active role. In Catalonia, the Cel Net Platform, through Dr. Neus Roig, is participating as a collaborating entity in one of the pilot tests of the project in the petrochemical complex of Tarragona. 

The initial meeting was held in December 2023 in Italy, where the main objectives were established and environmental monitoring areas were visited, such as the Eni oil center and Lake Pertusillo. Throughout 2024, a comprehensive analysis of existing citizen science initiatives at European level and the tools available for environmental data collection was carried out, concluding with the publication of a good practice manual. 

Currently, in 2025, the project is entering its second phase, focused on the development and implementation of online learning modules to train citizens in environmental monitoring. These materials will be published on the ERICA platform and will address key aspects such as accessible monitoring technologies and the use of data in environmental decision-making. The training will be completed with a meeting in Poland, where specific training on the methodology and tools developed will be provided. 

By 2026, the project will reach its final phase, in which the impact of the actions carried out will be evaluated and the future and long-term sustainability of the tools and methodologies promoted by ERICA will be debated. 

Environmental and social impact: towards a more involved citizenry 

The expected results of ERICA are diverse and of great social and environmental impact in the conservation of the environment and people's health. Through this project, the aim is to increase knowledge and awareness of climate change and its consequences, as well as promote the use of technology in community monitoring: the project focuses on free access to environmental data and its application in educational activities, citizen actions and processes for creating environmental policies. 

With this initiative, ERICA wants to demonstrate that collaboration between scientific research and society can be a powerful tool for addressing global environmental challenges. At a critical time for environmental conservation, this project offers a unique opportunity for citizens to become active agents in the protection of ecosystems and the fight against climate change.