Support projects from inception to impact
Since its launch in 2022, the IMPETUS Project has aimed to support and celebrate citizen science in all its forms, with a particular focus on providing the structure and funding needed for grassroots, community-led initiatives to grow and thrive through our three IMPETUS accelerator programmes.
As the project approaches its conclusion, we are proud to have helped kick-start 97 new projects and supported 32 ongoing initiatives. Through their work, the people these projects have inspired to take an active role in creating positive change, and the new ideas and follow-on projects they have generated, we are extremely proud of what has been achieved.
Over the past four years, and drawing on the collective experience of the IMPETUS consortium in citizen science, the team has developed a new IMPETUS Toolkit. This builds on the earlier ACTION project and brings together learning and practice developed throughout the programme.
The IMPETUS Toolkit brings together insights gained from training delivered to citizen science initiatives (CSIs) through our IMPETUS Bootcamp, as well as feedback from CSIs and their mentors, who are citizen science experts assigned to each project. It provides practical tools and resources for citizen science projects at all stages, from initial design and setup through to data collection, delivery, and beyond.
The toolkit is available in multiple formats, including an online version for easy navigation, a booklet, and a printable PDF, ensuring it can be accessed in the format that best suits different users.
Online IMPETUS Toolkit: https://impetus4cs.eu/toolkit
Printable PDF: https://zenodo.org/records/20745223
Alongside the toolkit, the team at Nesta has also produced a series of policy briefs and recommendations to help shape the future of citizen science across Europe.
These offer practical, evidence-based guidance for three key audiences: EU and national funders, cultural institutions and public bodies, and practitioners and researchers. Together, they reflect IMPETUS’s ambition to support a more inclusive, impactful, and policy-connected citizen science ecosystem.
They cover topics including water management, inclusion, arts and humanities, and AI, and can be viewed here:
Our Policy Booklet
