The CoAct project is a research initiative funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program. It explores the application of Citizen Social Science (CSS), a methodology in which non-professional researchers contribute to knowledge development. The project investigates how this approach can address complex social challenges, focusing on mental health, youth employment, environmental justice, and gender equality.
The project emphasizes citizen participation in scientific inquiry, departing from traditional academic-led research models. It establishes co-research mechanisms integrating direct stakeholder involvement in data collection and analysis. These processes allow affected communities to provide insights based on lived experiences, shaping research outcomes and policy recommendations.
In the domain of mental health, CoAct has conducted research in Barcelona, focusing on the role of social networks in supporting individuals facing psychological distress. The findings contribute to evidence-based policy development to improve access to community support structures. Another key research area is youth employment, with a study in Vienna addressing the challenges faced by young individuals not engaged in education, employment, or training. The research examines barriers to labour market entry and proposes strategies to facilitate inclusion.
CoAct has also contributed to environmental justice research through its activities in Buenos Aires. Communities in polluted areas participated in the study, providing data on health risks and environmental conditions. The project’s participatory approach ensures that affected populations have a role in shaping interventions and policy responses to reduce exposure to environmental hazards.
The initiative has produced multiple outputs, including policy briefs that summarise findings and outline recommendations for policymakers. These documents address strategies for integrating citizen participation in research-driven decision-making. Additionally, CoAct has developed a Global Perspective on Citizen Social Science publication that brings together voices from around the globe to unpack what CSS needs to account for to be truly inclusive.
Beyond all the videos created to showcase the project, it’s final video documentation overviews key findings, presenting perspectives from citizen co-researchers involved in various studies. It is a resource for stakeholders interested in implementing similar methodologies in other research contexts.
After its funding cycle concluded, CoAct continued collaborating with civil society organizations and academic institutions. It has established a foundation for further developing Citizen Social Science as a discipline, contributing to frameworks facilitating active public engagement in knowledge production and policy development.
Further details, including access to research outputs and publications, are available on the official CoAct website.
This project is funded by the European Union
under the grant agreement 873048 of the Horizon 2020 programme.
