Citizen Science Network Flanders
Citizen science is growing in Flanders. To further strengthen this movement, Scivil established the Citizen Science Network Flanders in 2026. The network brings together everyone who wants to contribute to a strong, sustainable and impactful citizen science ecosystem in Flanders. It emerged from the 'Samen bouwen aan citizen Science in Vlaanderen' (Building Citizen Science in Flanders Together) initiative, in which participants reflected on the future of citizen science and the collaborations needed to support it through a series of workshops.
How is the network organised?
The Citizen Science Network Flanders deliberately adopts a light and flexible structure:
- Working groups form the heart of the network. They focus on specific objectives and determine their own approach, meetings and activities.
- The core team safeguards the network's overall vision, fosters connections between the working groups and supports the further development of the network.
- The network brings all members together at least once a year for exchange, inspiration and networking.
Anyone involved in citizen science in any capacity and willing to contribute actively to the network is welcome to join.
Working groups
An important part of the network consists of thematic working groups. Within these groups, participants collaborate on concrete challenges and ambitions for citizen science in Flanders.
The following working groups are currently active or being established:
- Making impact visible for policymakers (doc. in Dutch)
- Making impact visible for citizens (doc. in Dutch)
- Citizen science and higher education (doc. in Dutch)
In addition, new working groups can be created whenever network members wish to join forces around a new topic.
Would you like to join one of these working groups? Or would you like to start a new working group within the network? Send an email to info@scivil.be.
Origins of the network
The Citizen Science Network Flanders grew out of the 'Samen bouwen aan citizen Science in Vlaanderen' (Building Citizen Science in Flanders Together) initiative.
During meetings in April, June and September 2026, citizen science stakeholders from across Flanders came together to discuss the future of citizen science. Together, they developed a shared vision, explored possible forms of collaboration and launched the first working groups.
Read more:
- More information about the network, its objectives, principles and members
- Workshop Building citizen science in Flanders together (21 April 2026)
- Follow-up workshop (4 June 2026)
- Launch of the working groups (24 September 2026)