HEROINES: Heritage of Emancipation, Photo: ISO DUO
Recognizing the role of Citizen Science in Europe
The European Union Prize for Citizen Science makes a statement. It honors, presents and supports outstanding projects whose social and political impact advances the further development of a pluralistic, inclusive and sustainable society in Europe. The European Commission has entrusted Ars Electronica in Linz with the task of staging this prestigious and highly remunerated competition. The Citizen Science Prize is embedded in the large-scale IMPETUS project.
The 2025 award winners
The European Union Prize for Citizen Science – Grand Prize, along with €60,000 in prize money, is awarded to the initiative HEROINES: Heritage of Emancipation—Empowering Roma Women through Building Networks of Solidarity. This participatory research project centres on the voices of Roma women in Serbia and involves them in all phases of the project, documenting their heritage.
The Digital Communities Award, with €20,000 in prize money, goes to the Turkish project Antiquake Risk Hunter Community, which addresses earthquake risks and disaster preparedness in Kuzguncuk (Istanbul).
The Diversity & Collaboration Award, with €20,000 in prize money, goes to the Portuguese project MoFWaste—The Museum of Food Waste where over 500 students and staff in six schools tackled food waste with monitoring and reduction strategies.
In addition, there are 27 Honorary Mentions.
Support for Citizen Science Initiatives
Citizen Science makes a significant contribution to a vibrant civil society – and this is fortunately also being perceived by an increasingly broad public. The European Commission wants to further promote this development and underline the importance of Citizen Science, not least for the sustainability of our society. The “European Union Prize for Citizen Science”, which was awarded for the first time in 2023, is an expression of this concern. The annual prize recognizes outstanding initiatives that put research, innovation, commitment and creativity at the service of our society, empowering us as individuals and strengthening us as a community.
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen Science describes “the general public engagement in scientific research activities when citizens actively contribute to science either with their intellectual effort or surrounding knowledge or with their tools and resources” (European Commission, 2014). Citizen Science projects are scientific projects that are partly or entirely driven by interested and committed laypersons or practical experts. These “Citizen Scientists” formulate research questions, report observations, carry out measurements, evaluate data or write publications – always in compliance with scientific criteria. Read the IMPETUS definition of Citizen Science to learn more about how Citizen Science is defined within the context of the European Union Prize for Citizen Science.
Schedule
| Announcement and call for submissions | January 7, 2025 |
| Final deadline for submissions | March 10, 2025 |
| Jury meeting | April 2025 |
| Winners’ announcement | June 20, 2025 |
| Award Ceremony | September 3 – 7, 2025 at Ars Electronica Festival in Linz / Austria |