Recording environmental data during armed conflicts and in their aftermath is vital for the protection of people and ecosystems. However, conflicts often disrupt national monitoring programmes, where they exist, or render areas inaccessible to researchers. In response, CEOBS is exploring the potential of participatory citizen science methodologies to contribute towards data collection on environmental harm and risks in conflict and post-conflict contexts.

To date we have worked with academia to explore this conceptual framework for “civilian science”. This has reviewed where gaps in data collection exist, how data could be distributed and utilised, how it could complement remote sensing and formal environmental assessments, and how participatory community research could help empower communities affected by armed conflicts. We have also assessed different low-cost technologies and how they could be used to monitor different forms of harm.

In 2024 our first collaborative project was launched, focusing on citizen science, international law and environmental accountability in Ukraine: the GROMADA project. And in 2025 we helped establish the European Citizen Science Association’s working group on Citizen science in areas affected by armed conflicts, which we co-chair.

For more information on our work, or to get involved in the working group, please contact Doug Weir (doug at ceobs.org).

A cartoon, two figures look at samples in front of a river full of debris backed by bombed out buildings, an oil drum leaks into the river and dead fish can be seen.

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