U_CAN engages citizens and researchers at the Citizen Science Festival during ECSA2026

Last week, the U_CAN project joined the vibrant community of citizen science practitioners, researchers and educators gathered for the ECSA2026 Conference. As part of the conference programme, the project was showcased at the Citizen Science Festival, an open public event that brought science into everyday spaces and invited citizens to actively engage with ideas for sustainable urban futures.

Held at the Valkea shopping mall in Oulu, Finland on 6 March, the festival created a lively meeting point between conference participants and the wider public. Visitors had the opportunity to explore citizen science projects, participate in hands-on activities and discuss how research and community action can contribute to climate-neutral and resilient cities.

At the U_CAN stand, the project presented an interactive activity inviting participants to co-create a vision of a carbon-neutral city and reflect on which climate investments should be prioritised. The activity was designed and facilitated by U_CAN consortium members Yulia Rozumenko and Paul Sorrell from ECSA, who lead the project’s communication and dissemination activities.

Through the interactive format, visitors were encouraged to allocate resources to different climate actions – from sustainable transport and energy solutions to river restoration and green urban spaces. The stand attracted numerous participants throughout the evening, including conference attendees such as researchers, educators and citizen science practitioners, as well as local visitors curious about how their ideas could shape more sustainable communities.

Many participants expressed strong interest in applying the activity – or a similar interactive approach – in their own work with schools, universities and community groups. The discussions highlighted the potential of participatory tools to spark dialogue, inspire curiosity and help communities reflect collectively on environmental priorities.

In addition to the interactive activity, visitors contributed their perspectives on the project’s Ideas Wall, sharing recommendations for sustainable urban development. Several recurring priorities emerged from these conversations. Participants emphasised the need for more bike lanes that remain accessible even in winter, and suggested that cycling infrastructure should be clearly separated from lanes used by cars and buses. Others highlighted the importance of developing local energy communities in cities, strengthening partnerships with residents, and involving artists to bring creativity and new perspectives into sustainability initiatives.

A key theme across many contributions was the value of urban green spaces. Participants consistently prioritised investments in greener environments and cleaner air, recognising their broader benefits for cities and communities.

As noted by one of conference organisers Anna Rae Heumann, sustainability educator:“Green spaces add eco-social, cultural and economic value to cities.”

The festival demonstrated how citizen science can connect research with everyday experiences and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to engage with sustainability challenges. By bringing together citizens, researchers and educators in an open and interactive setting, the event created meaningful opportunities to exchange ideas and explore practical pathways toward more climate-friendly cities.