Project Description:
We are building a Europe-wide network of citizen scientists to collect and interpret real-life experiences using a specially designed online tool called ‘SenseMaker’. The aim is to understand the complex nature of our societies and, in particular, the growing polarisation around emerging issues. Based on a scientific approach, the tool’s design allows people to make sense of their experiences rather than having scientists or data analysts do it for them. This is a vehicle for democratic innovation, where people’s voices can be heard at every level of political representation and influence responses by politicians.
The innovative “SenseMaker” tool goes beyond traditional surveys, uncovering each story’s underlying reasoning and emotions. With captivating visual images and interactive elements, the stories and experiences become visible and understandable within a societal complexity. The stories are not just heard – they become part of a larger movement to understand patterns, trends, and needs across countries. Volt Sense empowers people to shape European politics by ensuring their voices are not only heard but valued for political decision-making.
Project Type: Kick Starting Grant
Theme: Citizen Science For and With Society
Mentor: Carolina Dopico González
EuroSense: Tackling Europe’s Complex Challenges with Citizen Voices
Launched in 2023 by Volt Europa and its partners, EuroSense is a European initiative designed to harness citizen experiences to address complex societal challenges. Funded by the IMPETUS Accelerator, the project brings together citizens, researchers, and policymakers to foster democratic innovation and generate actionable insights. Utilizing the SenseMaker® tool, EuroSense collects real-time citizen stories, facilitating collective sense-making to inspire local actions and inform policy decisions.
What Does EuroSense Do?
EuroSense is establishing a citizen sensor network across Europe, beginning with Volt activists. Citizens contribute their experiences through the SenseMaker® collector, which immediately uploads their stories to a centralized dashboard. Facilitated sense-making sessions are then organized, where groups analyze these narratives to identify patterns, trends, and compelling stories. This interactive process empowers citizens to explore practical steps for creating positive change in their communities.
Currently, around 10 activists are actively gathering stories at various events across Europe. So far, 560 micro-narratives have been collected, capturing insights into citizens’ emotions, concerns, and hopes—nuances that traditional surveys often miss.
Photo: Francesca Romana D’Antuono (Co-president of Volt Europa) collecting stories from citizens in Berlin
Why Is EuroSense Important?
Europe faces multifaceted challenges such as polarization, climate crises, and social inequality. Traditional policy-making approaches often fail to incorporate the lived experiences of citizens, missing crucial context necessary for effective solutions. EuroSense bridges this gap by capturing and analyzing citizen narratives. This bottom-up approach enables communities to identify small, actionable steps that contribute to broader change while providing policymakers with a deeper understanding of how issues impact people on the ground.
Photo of our Sense Making Cafe Sessions in Tirana 2024
The Role of IMPETUS
The IMPETUS Accelerator has provided essential support to EuroSense, offering resources, training, and networking opportunities. This backing has enhanced the project’s use of the SenseMaker® tool, improved data analysis techniques, and helped scale operations. EuroSense is now exploring how its data can contribute to measuring progress on Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to peace, justice, and strong institutions.
What’s Next for EuroSense?
EuroSense has initiated sense-making sessions within the Volt movement and plans to expand its network to include broader civil society. This expansion will involve training additional citizen scientists to facilitate sessions, thereby amplifying diverse voices. The ultimate goal is to integrate these insights directly into EU policy discussions, starting with Volt’s MEPs, who have expressed strong support for the initiative.
Additionally, EuroSense aims to develop open-access resources for civil society organizations and citizen participation specialists, fostering wider engagement and empowering diverse communities to tackle Europe’s challenges collectively.
A Voice from the Project
“Damn, this is just what we need! Politicians need to listen stronger to peoples’ experiences, and their interpretation of what’s happening. Eurosense allows us to connect again with every European that wishes to engage by sharing a story, and by making sense for the collective. With citizen voices at the heart of the project, EuroSense is helping Europe navigate its complex challenges—one story at a time.”
One of our elected MEPs Kai Tegethoff shared.
