The European Commission has announced the winners of its 2024 citizen science awards, which aim to promote public engagement and trust in research. The top prize of €60,000 went to a project called Increase, focused on identifying and preserving genetic diversity in agricultural crop species like chickpeas, beans, lentils, and lupins. This project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, involves civil society organizations and citizens from rural areas to improve crop varieties.
Another award worth €20,000, known as Digital Communities, was given to the CoAct for Mental Health project. This initiative utilizes digital technologies to create personalized approaches to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with mental health issues. A third prize, also worth €20,000, was awarded to the SeaPaCS project, which involves scientists and volunteers from local communities in studying the effects of plastic pollution on marine environments in the Mediterranean Sea.
EU R&I commissioner Iliana Ivanova commended the winning teams for their efforts in tackling important challenges and demonstrating the potential of citizen science to drive positive change. She highlighted how these projects not only enhance the quality and impact of research but also strengthen the connection and trust between science and society.
