Collaborating with CIBioGo
Our RIWET partner from The Limne Foundation participated as a speaker at the CIBioGo (Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Governance) in Torrent, final peer review event in Valencia where the focus was on ‘Stakeholder Consultation’. LIMNE showcased its citizen science programmes and public participation as a governance tool. The Rivers Project, previously recognized as a good practice in our EEW3, was highlighted.
More about CIBioGo
CIBioGo, a four-year project spanning Latvia, Belgium, Slovenia, Romania, Italy, and Spain, has addressed the shared need among its six partner regions to integrate citizen participation into biodiversity governance for nature conservation. This 'sister' project aimed at the restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of natural sites within these regions, with Spain focusing on the Albufera Natural Park through citizen involvement. This participatory approach to biodiversity governance, shared by RIWET, holds the potential to solve user conflicts, improve dialogue between decision-makers and stakeholders, mitigate financial limitations, and increase awareness regarding the importance of biodiversity.
Public participation strategy
Effective communication and dissemination are crucial for the success and impact of citizen science projects, as they heavily rely on public participation. This needs a well-defined strategy that includes identifying the intended audience, choosing suitable communication methods, and using appropriate language. It is important for these projects to move beyond traditional one-way communication and embrace two-way dialogue, especially with participants. Moreover, successful communication requires thorough planning and allocated resources.
Limne emphasized that involving citizens in these projects fosters a closer connection with biodiversity. Furthermore, they suggested that if coupled with systems enabling volunteer-collected data, suggestions, and opinions to influence decision-making and land management, these initiatives could become a crucial aspect of governance.
Bridging the divide
Citizen science initiatives are a core activity in RIWET. These iniitatives involve data collection by volunteers following standardized scientific protocols, offering reliable biodiversity indicators. Such transformative programmes cultivate collaboration between citizens and scientists in an objective setting, potentially bridging the divide between science and society.