On September 9th, a landmark event titled “Promoting Citizen Science for a Sustainable Future” took place in Plovdiv. The forum convened a diverse group of stakeholders—civil and environmental organizations, government officials, academics, active citizens, and private sector specialists—with a unified goal: to integrate scientific data into urban planning processes.
The event commenced with the official signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between BG Be Active and the Medical University of Plovdiv (MU-Plovdiv). This partnership is set to promote sustainable urban development based on scientific evidence of its public health impact. The collaboration will facilitate access to expert services for health impact assessments and the use of sophisticated scientific tools, such as interactive maps and web-GIS platforms.
The program structure moved seamlessly from conceptual understanding to practical application. Laska Nenova from BG Be Active introduced the P4CM project, explaining how placemaking can be integrated with citizen science. This synergy allows residents to participate as active researchers and co-creators of their urban environment.
Experts from MU-Plovdiv provided essential scientific context. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angel Burov discussed the Urban Environment and Microclimate, contrasting the “top-down” approach of official air measurements with citizen-led initiatives that use diffusion tubes to collect data on Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels, offering a more comprehensive picture. Prof. Dr. Donka Dimitrova emphasized that project sustainability depends on the engagement of all relevant parties, citing survey data that highlights air pollution and heavy traffic as the most prioritized issues for citizens.
In the practical segment, participants engaged in an Air Monitoring Session, gaining direct, hands-on experience with air measurement devices.
A key element of the day was the panel discussion, “Challenges and Opportunities for Citizen Science in Bulgaria.” Experts from MU-Plovdiv, Plovdiv University, BG Be Active, and the Plovdiv Energy Agency shared a mutual recognition of a crisis of trust between citizens and institutions, as well as between citizens and the academic community.
The experts stressed that people who live in a specific area possess a unique understanding of its needs—”local knowledge” that is currently underutilized. To address these challenges, several solutions were proposed:
*Early Education: Teaching children from primary school onwards that they can participate in and influence their environment.
*Placemaking: Using this approach to engage people naturally through collective problem-solving.
*Transdisciplinary Approach: The academic community must recognize that complex problems require the participation of experts from diverse fields.
Ultimately, citizen science was framed as a powerful tool for building sustainable partnerships to achieve positive change.
Placemaking for Climate Mitigation is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.