Project Description:
The EcoVoce project aims to enhance the impact of the EcoVoce app within the local communities and increase citizens’ engagement in monitoring and reporting environmental problems in the Aries River Basin in Romania, a region of great historical, natural and cultural wealth. This area has undergone industrial (mining) production periods, leaving specific traces of pollution and socio-economic deprivation.
Newer consumption-related waste issues currently overlay these old problems. Due to these circumstances, the environmental problems are highly complex, accruing over several decades and negatively affecting various stakeholders. The main stakeholders are citizens (local residents), local authorities, regional environmental authorities and SMEs, particularly tour operators and outdoor recreation and leisure providers. To achieve our goal, we will employ citizen engagement strategies that we will decide upon with our IMPETUS mentors to achieve the best engagement results and social and environmental impact.
Project Type: Sustaining Grant
Theme: Sustainable Lifestyles, Waste
Mentor: Jacqueline Goldin
EcoVoce Speak Up! – A Voice for the Romanian Environmentally-Concerned Citizens
Lucrina Stefanescu, Monika Meltzer, Andrei Firtala-Cioncut Andrei
Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca Romania
EcoVoce Speak Up! is a citizen science initiative based in the Arieș River Valley, Romania. Initially funded by the Ministry of Education and Research, the project has continued to grow through support from the IMPETUS Accelerator program. Spanning 46 towns and villages, the project aims to involve local citizens in monitoring environmental pollution by collecting data on illegal waste burning, waste dumping, asbestos presence, and water pollution.
Raising Awareness Through Community Engagement
One of the project’s main activities is raising awareness among local communities about environmental issues. To achieve this, EcoVoce Speak Up! developed infographics that presented the global distribution and occurrence of the environmental challenges present in the region. The project aimed to foster a deeper understanding of these problems by connecting local issues to a broader, global context.
Community meetings were held to share this information, offering a platform for discussion and education. Many participants expressed surprise at the environmental risks they face and appreciated the knowledge gained. As one child remarked during a session,
”I will advise my friends to never burn plastic because it is toxic.
Additionally, interactive activities like a waste-sorting game brought together children and their parents to learn about sustainable waste management in a fun and engaging way, with exciting prizes to encourage participation.
Promoting Awareness Through Online Campaigns
To extend the project’s reach, EcoVoce Speak Up! ran five online campaigns highlighting local environmental problems. Each campaign was designed to maximize engagement within the study area, drawing attention to pressing issues such as illegal dumping and water pollution.
In some cases, a more collaborative citizen science approach was adopted, with students participating in the initial stages of research. They contributed to the creation of sub-research questions and the development of data collection tools (Photo. 2).
Exploring Technology for Environmental Monitoring
Another cornerstone of the initiative was organising two workshops focused on using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) – commonly known as drones – for pollution monitoring. These workshops combined theoretical presentations with hands-on activities, allowing participants to explore the potential of drones in environmental science.
The workshops were well-received, particularly by students, who appreciated the balance between practical and theoretical learning. One high school student from Câmpeni shared their thoughts:
”I liked the hands-on activities and the theoretical explanations because I learned more about pollution and technology.
Capacity Building Through IMPETUS Support
The IMPETUS program has provided EcoVoce Speak Up! with vital professional training, mentorship, and opportunities to network with other Citizen Science Initiatives (CSIs). This support has strengthened the project’s ability to evaluate its impact, refine its activities, and adopt a more global perspective on environmental monitoring.
Looking Ahead: Expanding and Deepening Engagement
EcoVoce Speak Up! has ambitious plans for the future. These include expanding the initiative to additional communities and fostering connections among diverse local groups. The project also aims to deepen its citizen science approach by engaging participants more actively and meaningfully.
This strategy involves offering advanced training sessions, incorporating participant feedback into project design, and empowering community members to take on leadership roles. By scaling up and fostering sustained participation, EcoVoce Speak Up! seeks to build a stronger connection between citizens and the environmental issues they address, creating lasting impacts for the Arieș River Valley and beyond.
