The ERICA (Environmental monitoRIng through Civic engAgement) project started in November 2023, with the aim of improving environmental awareness and civic engagement.
This project participates in a consortium of seven partners from the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland and France:
- Erasmus University Rotterdam (International Institute of Social Studies), the lead partner;
- Cova Contro, a non-governmental organization based in Basilicata;
- Social IT, a software and consultancy company from Trento;
- University of Barcelona;
- Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan;
- Source International ONLUS, non-governmental organization based in Tuscany;
- ALDA, the French European Association for Local Democracy.
At the heart of ERICA is a new educational approach to citizen science for environmental monitoring, with the primary goal of enabling citizens to actively participate in safeguarding their environment.
The kickoff meeting took place from 12 to 15 December 2023, hosted in Corleto Perticara (Basilicata, Italy) and organized by Cova Contro. The meeting served as a platform for partners to outline their respective roles and contributions to the project, laying the foundation for collaborative efforts in the years to come.
During the meeting, discussions took place focusing on the various work packages and objectives crucial to the success of ERICA.
In addition to the discussions, we had the opportunity to witness firsthand the environmental challenges facing the region. Visits were organized to study sites on pollution, including the Eni oil center known as COVA, and Lake Pertusillo, where research on fish pollution is underway. These site visits provided valuable insights into the real-world implications of environmental degradation, underscoring the importance of initiatives like ERICA in addressing these pressing issues.
