GEOVACUI-2

Honorary Mention

ucm.es/geovacui

Citizen Science and cooperation initiatives against depopulation of rural areas

GEOVACUI-2: citizen science and cooperation initiatives against depopulation in rural areas is a citizen science project, following the work started in the GEOVACUI-1: rural societies in empty territories and their productive potential. Both have tried to deepen the knowledge of the phenomenon of depopulation.

GEOVACUI presents, from its beginnings, a geographical approach, and a practical spirit that enhances the value of community work. It is an opportunity to keep open a debate that allows deepening, in a collaborative way, the knowledge of the causes, consequences, problems and opportunities linked to the situation of depopulation in rural areas. In addition, the project promote scientific culture in society.

To do this, scientists have shared information through different channels of participation. The most frequent method of gathering data was the use of an online questionnaire, but there were also workshops carried out with agents and the civilian population. All the information gathered and agreed upon has been essential for the achievement of the project and the generation of deliverables.

In the second edition, the researchers leading the project wanted to give visibility and voice to a lesser-known rural Spain, active and rich in values and initiatives. To do this, through citizens, it seeks to learn about the initiatives that favor population fixation. The results have materialized in a repository of bibliographic materials; a repository of good practices, consisting of an interactive geovisor with which to view the collaborative map with the initiatives and a platform for personalized consultation; a document with the basic elements of good practices and a decalogue of conclusions and recommendations.

GEOVACUI is a NEWSERA pilot project, and it is included in the Observatorio de la Ciencia Ciudadana en España and eu-citizen.science. The project is supported by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (Ministry of Science and Innovation).

Jury Statement

To meet the challenge of rural depopulation in Spain, this citizen science project aimed to support conversations and debate around the issue besides wider public engagement activities to foster a culture of scientific curiosity with affected communities.

It aimed at giving visibility and voice to a rural Spain that is less known, active and rich in values and initiatives. The results are a repository of bibliographic materials; a repository of good practices (an interactive geo-viewer with which to visualise the collaborative map with the initiatives and a platform); a document with the basic elements of the good practices and a decalogue of conclusions and recommendations.

European Union Prize for Citizen Science Jury 2023 (Kat Austen, Lewis Hou, Pedro Russo, Andrea Sforzi, Stefanie Wuschitz). View full Statement here.

Credits

The project is grateful for the financial support of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the universities of the team members and the Ars Civilis Foundation. We would also like to thank the active participation of the Santa María de Albarracín, Pueblo Viejo de Belchite and Ibercivis Foundations, the town councils of Benaoján, Benarrabá, Calasparra, Genalguacil, Jimera de Líbar and Valdealgorfa, the Congress of Deputies, political platforms and associations against depopulation, as well as local and regional development institutions and schools that have welcomed us in their facilities, provided essential information for the development of the project and collaborated in the dissemination of the results. We would also like to thank all the anonymous citizens who have actively participated in the different phases, enriching the project.

Biographies