The First National Public Call for Citizen Science Research Projects received 127 project proposals.
More than 70 faculties and institutes, more than 80 civil society organisations, 15 local self-governments and public companies, 30 schools and kindergartens, 10 industry and business representatives and 4 libraries and museums participated in the project applications as holders and partners.
Six projects of scientific and research organisations from Belgrade and Novi Sad were selected for financing, and the programmes will be carried out throughout the country during 2024 and 2025 in cooperation with representatives of civil society and other organisations.
The projects that received funding are: Ecosystem Services Assessment of Ribnica Gorge (Western Serbia) through Citizen Science of the Faculty of Biology of the University of Belgrade, Diabetic Chronic Wounds Prevention and Eradication – Patients Come to the Rescue by the Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering of the University of Belgrade, Cultivating Soil Connectivity: Empowering Farmers and Youth Community as Citizen Scientists to Monitor Soil Health and Biodiversity of the BioSens Institute from Novi Sad.
Other projects that received funding are Heritage of Emancipation: Empowering Roma Women through Networks of Solidarity (HEROINES) of the Ethnographic Institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Citizen Co-Creation: Shaping a Sustainable Future of Wastewater Treatment in Serbia by Pioneering Energy-Neutral & Zero-Waste Approach of the Construction Faculty of the University of Belgrade, and Stay or Leave - Spotlight on Migration Intentions In The Rural Areas (RurSITU) of the Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic" of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation Jelena Begovic pointed out that the topics covered by the awarded projects are important for our society and our country and that such projects affect the progress of the entire society.