On 3–4 February 2026, EMODnet participated actively in the CS-MACH1 Marine Citizen Science (MSC) Data Network workshop held in Ostend (Belgium) and online. The workshop formally launched the Marine Citizen Science Data Network (MCSDN), bringing together over 350 citizen scientists, data experts, cost-effective technology developers and data users from across Europe and beyond to strengthen collaboration and accelerate FAIR marine data flows.
Citizen science contributes to improving the quality and impact of research by ensuring transparency of processes and results, promoting scientific culture and critical thinking among citizens, and increasing trust in science. Anyone can participate in a citizen science project on a voluntary basis, regardless of education level, previous skills, thematic area, or type of proposed activity. All activities must meet scientific standards and be supervised by an expert scientific team.
Inspired by the speed of sound, Mach 1, the Horizon Europe project CS-MACH1 aims to facilitate FAIR data sharing and updates through the development of a Marine Citizen Science Data Network. The project is built on three pillars: networking citizen science initiatives, sharing training materials and best practices, and enhancing citizen engagement in marine science. Strengthening these data flows is crucial for reinforcing every link in the marine knowledge value chain, from citizens to end users such as policy makers.
The workshop brought together leaders of MSC initiatives collecting scientific data, developers of cost-effective ocean observation and marine information management technologies, data managers and scientists using citizen-generated data. The event highlighted the project’s objectives and showcased its contribution to enabling marine data to reach as many users as possible. On the second day, a live demonstration addressed challenges presented by participants. Speakers also shared successful marine citizen science data flow stories and case studies to emphasise the importance of re-using citizen science data.
A central theme throughout the discussions was addressing the practical “data bottleneck” that can limit the impact of citizen science: standardisation, interoperability, quality control and robust metadata. CS-MACH1 is working to tackle these challenges by providing tools, guidelines and training so that marine citizen science data can become Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, and flow sustainably into European marine data services, including EMODnet.
Various EMODnet representatives were invited to share the experience of this long-standing EU marine data infrastructure in managing and harmonising marine data. The EMODnet Secretariat outlined EMODnet as the EUs in situ marine data service, highlighting how harmonised standards, controlled vocabularies and coordinated data flows enable citizen science data to be integrated into trusted European data services. This structured integration strengthens the marine knowledge base underpinning European policies and contributes to the development of the European Digital Twin Ocean.
EMODnet Biology presented how citizen science contributes to marine biodiversity data flows within EMODnet, supporting a wide range of biological observations and monitoring needs. Together with the EurOBIS Data Management Team, EMODnet Biology moderated the case studies session dedicated to marine biodiversity citizen science, providing insights into how citizen-generated biodiversity data can be quality-controlled, harmonised and made accessible for long-term reuse.
For the chemical parameters and litter session, EMODnet Chemistry presented “Litter data management in EMODnet Chemistry & citizen science contribution”, highlighting how marine litter data generated by citizen initiatives can be standardised, validated and integrated into European marine data products. EMODnet Chemistry representatives were also among the moderators of the session focused on marine litter citizen science case studies, facilitating discussions on practical data integration pathways.
Discussions also highlighted the relevance of citizen science across other EMODnet thematics. EMODnet Physics presented on connecting and managing citizen science ocean physics data, while EMODnet Human Activities addressed litter data management in EMODnet and the role of citizen science contributions. Together, these inputs underlined the importance of harmonised standards, transparent metadata and coordinated data management to support the long-term integration and reuse of citizen science data.The launch of the Marine Citizen Science Data Network marks an important step toward strengthening data flows between citizen initiatives and European marine data services.
For more information, see the agenda for the workshop and visit the CS-MACH1 website .
