A joint EPA network/EEA citizen science project is performed in two project phases.
- First project phase (Phase 1) from autumn 2018 to February 2019
- Provide a ‘proof of concept’ and formulate the overarching question and scope for the initiative;
- Define the overall brand image:
- Organise webinars and/or face-to-face meetings;
- Define minimum requirements and additional recommendations for the measurement campaigns;
- Develop harmonised protocols for the measurement campaigns (as far as feasible);
- Discuss communication approaches (local and European-wide);
- Organise technical assistance with regard to measurement equipment;
- Provide and exchange general communication info on air quality issues;
- Link to existing initiatives (including European Commission activities);
- Provide a common communication platform (web portal);
- Compile a common project plan for 2019.
- Second project phase (Phase 2) March 2019 to end of 2019
- Refine the project plan (continuously),
- Run measurement campaigns at/around local schools based on the project plan;
- Report on status, progress and plans of the local initiatives/projects via the common web portal (discuss the ‘how’);
- Develop a European-wide database and data viewer hosting the results of the local initiatives/projects etc.:
- Support to EPAs by facilitating the development of harmonised protocols for the monitoring campaigns, exchange of data, data processing and analysis. This could include for example, collecting and processing the data from the citizen science monitoring campaign(s) in an EEA air quality database, and using this to present results in online maps and data viewers that can be embedded by national EPAs in their webpages.
- Set up the EEA communication support:
- A web page on the EEA website under the air pollution topic, describing the initiative and giving visibility to participating entities (preferably linking to their web pages providing more detailed information about specific local undertakings).
- A unique hashtag for the initiative (e.g. #AirInMyCity) and other thematic hashtags (#CleanAir) to be used jointly in participants’ communication efforts.
- Assisting EPAs with the coordination of communications with participants.
- Coordination of communication efforts with the European Commission-DG Environment’s social media teams.
- Relevant information on ongoing communication activities at European level.
- Coordination of communication efforts with NGOs active in air quality communications (e.g. European Environment Bureau and its network of national and local NGOs).
- News highlights published on the EEA website and disseminated through its communication channels-when the initiative starts and ends.
- A mini media package including overarching messages on air quality in Europe, main sources of air pollutants, health impacts, as well as potential ‘defensives’ (e.g. discrepancy between official measurements and diffusion tubes).
- Agreed messaging to be used where elevated values are measured, especially where they may be perceived to exceed the NO2 limit value.
- Social media promotion through EEA channels with relevant news hooks before, during and after the initiative.
Participating EPAs might choose to take part in phase one of the project, phase two, or both.