I-CHANGE Project: leading innovation for climate resilience through a citizen science approach

I-CHANGE is an Innovation Action project launched in November 2021 with a duration of 3.5 years. Its core mission is to raise awareness surrounding climate change and its resulting natural hazards. 

I-CHANGE makes use of citizen science, getting people directly involved in collecting environmental and socio-economic data. To do this, they use innovative tools like sensors and monitoring devices, fostering a co-designed learning approach. This initiative not only enhances citizen understanding of climate-related impacts but also empowers individuals to make meaningful changes towards more sustainable behaviour.

With the participation of 16 organisations from 12 countries, and including academic institutions, enterprises, and think tanks, I-CHANGE is a wide-ranging collaboration aimed at leveraging scientific expertise, citizen engagement, and effective communication strategies to drive impactful change.

Transforming communities into laboratories 

The I-CHANGE project aims to foster climate action and community involvement through innovative citizen science initiatives and engaging media communications. By promoting the activities of its eight Living Labs, it seeks to empower citizens and stakeholders to actively participate in co-creation processes. In this way, they can target climate change, reduce individual carbon footprints, and disseminate research findings to academic communities and wider society.

This is intended to be achieved through:

– Climate change awareness: knowledge of science and the understanding of physical, socio-economic and cultural processes;

– Active participation of citizens in data collection in eight Living Labs through citizen tools and sensors;

– Improvement of data usability and interoperability of the data collected by the citizens.

Main outcomes of I-CHANGE project

Anticipated outcomes of the I-CHANGE project promise significant impact and progress. Among these, heightened collective awareness concerning the environmental impacts of human activities is expected. The delivery of scientifically validated results and evidence-based data is projected to empower local policymakers, NGOs, and citizens in refining climate change mitigation efforts.

Additionally, the project aims to produce comprehensive guidelines and policy recommendations to enhance local climate mitigation and adaptation measures. Innovative methodologies introduced by the project are anticipated to facilitate citizen behavioural change towards more sustainable patterns. Furthermore, the Environmental Impact Hub is expected to serve as a pivotal catalyst for continued usage and research, propelling further advancements in climate action and environmental sustainability.

Collaborate with I-CHANGE project

Central to the success of the I-CHANGE Project is the collaborative engagement of citizens, researchers, and community leaders. They converge to monitor and reduce the collective environmental footprint, fostering a sustainable future. Stakeholders are invited to join forces in gathering data, analysing insights, and taking actionable steps to mitigate the impact on the planet. For inquiries and partnership opportunities, individuals can reach out to the I-CHANGE Project at k.firus@den-institute.org.