Citizen observatories: Concept, opportunities and communication with citizens in the first EU experiences

摘要: This chapter discusses the emerging concept of Citizen Observatories (COs), explores opportunities it represents for public authorities to go beyond incremental bureaucratic innovation and presents first generation European-funded experiences, held between 2012 2016. The CO implies, according existing definitions, an open shared information system dedicated collection data on environment natural resources, using ICT, volunteer participation individuals in collection. EU has adopted a more specific projects funded, so that resulting complements earth observation systems (including European Copernicus satellite programme). In 2012–2016 period five have been funded by EU, covering different areas: waters monitoring, odour air quality flood risk management platform citizen science surveys. These COs allowed develop test concept’s implementation, although societal impact is still very limited, involving reduced number users. have, however, established valuable set knowledge expertise. field with interesting perspectives possibilities. Although there economic rationale behind (lowering cost situ networks), encloses possibility ICT creation relation citizens can produce return citizens.