The project ERICA (Environmental monitoRIng through Civic engAgement) started in November 2023, with the aim to improve environmental awareness and civic engagement.
This project brings together a consortium of seven partners from The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Poland, and France:
- Erasmus University Rotterdam (International Institute of Social Studies), the leading partner;
- Cova Contro, a non-governmental organization based in Basilicata;
- Social IT, a software and consulting company in Trento;
- Universitat de Barcelona;
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan;
- Source International ONLUS, a non-governmental organization based in Tuscany;
- ALDA, the french European Association for Local Democracy.
At the heart of ERICA lies a new educational approach to citizen science for environmental monitoring, with the primary goal of empowering citizens to actively participate in safeguarding their environment.
The kickoff meeting took place from the 12th to the 15th of 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 groundwork for collaborative efforts in the years ahead.
During the meeting, discussions took place centered 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 pollution study sites, including the Eni oil center known as COVA, and Lake Pertusillo, where ongoing research on pollution in fish is being conducted. 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.
