Citizen Science Alliances

As part of the 18th Geneva Forum, this annual conference offers a high-level interactive workshop that will take place on Wednesday, December 9, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Geneva, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the potential for large-scale citizen alliances. This event is organized in partnership with the Geneva Forum and the NGO Objectif Sciences International.

 Call for Contributions

We invite:
– scientific institutions and citizen organizations leading projects,
– researchers, engineers, and technical experts from academic and private sectors,
– professors and teachers from university, secondary, and primary levels,
– facilitators and educators,
– science communicators and experts in scientific and industrial outreach,
– travel and tourism professionals, travel agencies, tour operators, federations,
– entrepreneurs involved in participatory or citizen interface projects,
to actively contribute to the discussion on citizen science networks as a leverage point.

Submit your projects!

This call for contributions invites sharing of projects, ideas, or initiatives in any field where participatory science and citizen engagement can form international alliances in citizen science.

You may submit:
– Global networks of basic or applied research projects, citizen observation or action programs on critical topics (environment, health, astronomy, biodiversity, etc.).
– Proposals for sustainable partnerships between institutional research and citizens to ensure quality data collection or for research purposes.
– Collaboration models to strengthen the impact of citizen science globally, either directly in the field, or to serve governmental policy or collaborative governance.

Selected contributions may be presented in conferences, workshops, and roundtables during the event, offering participants the chance to collaborate and create or join international alliances in citizen science. They may also, for instance, be the subject of in-depth discussions with potential for funding.

• If you wish to propose a topic for the short presentations, please fill out the form below on this page.
• If you wish to view the workshop program, please visit the page of the Annual International Conference on Citizen Science, Participatory Research, Crowd-Innovation, and Fab Labs for Peace and Development.

 Workshop Agenda

• 2:00 p.m.: Arrival
• 2:30 p.m.: Welcome
• 3:00 p.m.: Opening lectures (keynotes)
• 3:15 p.m.: Cycle of short presentations (10 talks, 5 minutes each) - see below
• 4:10 p.m.: Introduction of the discussion topic
• 4:20 p.m.: Work in sub-groups
• 5:25 p.m.: Interactive roundtable (feedback session)
• 5:50 p.m.: Closing remarks
• 6:00 p.m.: End of the workshop
• 7:00 p.m.: Networking dinner

 Workshop Goals - Why Participate

Workshop Objectives
– Strengthen citizen cooperation for global science: Encourage sustainable alliances between citizens and researchers to increase data collection capacity and public engagement in scientific projects.
– Create effective interaction and communication models between scientific institutions and citizen science networks to maximize data quality and its usefulness in global research.
– Explore innovative methods and tools to support citizen observation networks: Facilitate data sharing and improve transparency, accuracy, and ease of citizen participation.

Why Participate?

By submitting your contribution, you will benefit from:
– A visibility platform to showcase your ideas and citizen science projects to a committed and diverse audience.
– A space for exchange with experts, researchers, organizations, and potential partners to collaborate and enhance your citizen initiatives internationally.
– The opportunity to actively contribute to the construction of global participatory science networks, participating in the co-creation of innovative methodologies and promoting a more inclusive and accessible science.

This workshop is part of the Citizen Science Conference Cycle, and this year aims to provide researchers, institutions, and citizen organizations with solutions, models, and tools to strengthen global participatory science networks. The goal is to promote initiatives that mobilize citizens around data collection and scientific research, building international alliances to address global challenges.

Based on collaborative dynamics and exchanges between science, technology, and humanities experts, we will collectively explore ways to amplify the impact of citizen science and enhance the quality and accessibility of collected data. The workshop will examine how citizen alliances can become powerful levers for science, fostering not only the advancement of knowledge but also profound and lasting citizen involvement.

To implement this approach, we will first give the floor to 10 professionals from various fields, each having 5 minutes to share their perspectives and practices during the first hour of the workshop. Participants will receive information on the speakers and their projects beforehand. These short presentations will focus on best practices for integrating citizens into scientific initiatives, based on criteria of effectiveness, scientific rigor, citizen mobilization, and international impact.

 Main Theme and Areas of Reflection

• Main Theme: Citizen Science and Global Citizen Alliances – What Major Initiatives for a Participatory and Connected Science? Participatory Research, Citizen Science, Project-Based Pedagogy, Education, Collaboration, Networks, ...

• Scientific Rationale: Since the first citizen science initiatives, such as bird counts by ornithology enthusiasts, participatory science has evolved to become an essential component of global research. Today, large-scale international projects like the Ocean Observation Network and the Global Citizen Water Watch mobilize citizens using digital tools, portable sensors, and collaborative platforms. This model paves the way for a more inclusive science, where citizens play a central role in research, producing useful data for researchers and public policy. By integrating global citizen observation networks, we can transform our approach to major scientific and ecological challenges.

Disciplinary Fields and Research Areas:

• Coordination of Citizen Science Projects Globally: How can data collection methods be harmonized and standardized to ensure their scientific value?
• Technological Tools for Participatory Science: Exploring digital tools (apps, connected sensors, online platforms) that enable citizens to collect and share relevant data while ensuring accuracy.
• Education and Training for Participating Citizens: What educational and awareness strategies can be put in place to ensure informed and engaged citizen participation in projects?
• Impact of Citizen Networks on Policy and Society: What feedback and studies demonstrate the influence of citizen data on policy decisions and collective awareness?
• Citizen Science and Ethics: What ethical considerations and best practices are needed to protect citizen privacy and rights while maximizing data accessibility?

Priority Topics:

• Citizen Alliance Models in Different Scientific Fields: Global projects in oceanography, biodiversity monitoring, atmospheric studies, epidemic tracking, or astronomical observation.
• Technologies for Citizen Science: Exploring emerging technologies (geolocation tools, personal sensors, AI for data analysis) to strengthen participatory science.
• Initiatives for Global and Standardized Data Collection: Ideas and practices to standardize data collection and sharing processes within citizen networks.
• Engagement and Motivation Strategies: Developing programs to increase long-term citizen engagement in participatory science projects.
• Measuring the Social and Environmental Impact of Citizen Science Initiatives: Methods to evaluate and communicate the impact of data collected by citizens on policies and conservation initiatives.

 Submission Guidelines

• Nature of Contributions: 5-minute oral presentation (with slide), sharing a case study or practical experience. This will be preceded by advance information to the audience and followed by an article published online.
• Submission Format: Title + abstract (max. 500 words), followed by an article (max. 3 pages including figures and tables; font: Calibri 11, single spacing, 2cm margins).
• Accepted Languages: French, English (simultaneous translation available).
• Submission Process: Via the online form below.
• Timeline:
  • Deadline for abstract submission: August 15
  • Acceptance notification: August 25
  • Final article submission deadline: December 1
    Submissions made after this date may be considered for the next session of the Forum. Please always submit without delay.

(See the submission form below)

 Expected Outcomes and Deliverables

• Compilation of presentation proceedings and discussions,
• Online publication of an article by each presenter,
• Drafting of a general Position Paper at the end of the workshop,
• Contribution to the development of a White Paper, scheduled for early 2026,
• Initial sketches and pilot operations for citizen alliances.

 Proposal Evaluation

• Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on originality, relevance and potential impact, scientific rigor, and practical feasibility and applicability within the context of regenerative tourism.
• Selection Process: Proposals will be assessed by a multidisciplinary scientific committee based on peer review.

 Practical Information

• Logistics: The Monday morning workshop will be held as part of the Geneva Forum, which takes place from December 8 to 12, 2025. In accordance with the Geneva Forum philosophy, online participation is possible but not prioritized.
• Registration and Memberships: To participate in the Geneva Conferences and Forums, please select the membership of your choice. See the different memberships here.
  Once your membership is confirmed, you will receive all necessary logistical information, as well as the link to generate your event badge, a few days before.

 Contact Information

For any questions regarding the call for contributions, please feel free to contact the organizing team at: contact@geneva-forum.com

 Submission Form