Locorotondo hosts successful Citizen Science event under RealUrbanGreen project

Citizens take the lead in monitoring Urban Green Spaces

On the afternoon of 17 April 2026, more than 20 participants gathered in the urban green area of the Municipality of Locorotondo (Apulia, Italy) for a Citizen Science initiative organised under the RealUrbanGreen project, co-funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme.

The event actively engaged citizens, associations, students, and experts in a participatory monitoring activity focused on urban green spaces and the multiple environmental and social benefits they provide. The initiative represents one of the Italian pilot actions of RealUrbanGreen, with Locorotondo being part of a network of eight pilot areas across Europe. The project aims to develop shared and sustainable models for urban green space management, combining scientific knowledge with local experience and fostering the active involvement of communities.

From awareness to hands-on experimentation

During the event, participants explored the role of Citizen Science as a powerful tool for environmental sustainability and civic engagement. The programme included:

• an introduction to the principles and benefits of participatory science;
• the launch of the first monitoring activities foreseen by the project;
• a series of field experiments focusing on soil, biodiversity, climate, and the quality of urban spaces.

A key highlight of the afternoon was the practical demonstration led by Giuliano Blancato, researcher at the University of Valencia. He guided participants through soil analysis techniques, explaining how to measure and interpret key indicators such as organic matter content, soil pH, and texture, as well as how to classify the results obtained.

This hands-on session represented a crucial step in preparing participants for the monitoring activities they will carry out independently in the coming months, contributing to the collection of valuable environmental data across different seasons

Citizen Science kits and long-term engagement

The activities will be supported by the distribution of dedicated Citizen Science kits, providing all the necessary tools and step-by-step instructions to carry out monitoring activities autonomously. Through this approach, participants will contribute to building an open and shared database on urban green spaces, enabling more transparent, informed, and participatory decision-making processes.

The initiative marks a concrete step towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities, where citizens play an active role in the care and management of their local environment.

The strong interest recorded confirms the growing relevance of participatory approaches in addressing today’s environmental challenges and highlights the value of directly engaging citizens in data collection and environmental stewardship.

🔗 Participation in the initiative remains open and free of charge:
https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/Adesione-Citizen-Science_Locorotondo