How can everyday experiences help shape better research? TOPFIT Citizenlab shows how citizens and patients can contribute not only as participants, but as partners in defining research questions, methods and outcomes.

How can universities become long-term partners in addressing societal challenges? This question guided "UNICAM Territorio Condiviso", the co-design workshop organised by the University of Camerino on 29 June 2026 within the CIVICLab initiative.

In June, EPiCS partners gathered in Stockholm, Sweden, for the project's third transnational meeting, bringing together consortium members to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and plan the next phases of the project.

How can citizens move from participating in research to actively shaping it? Citizen Science NOW explores how knowledge, confidence and the right support can help people bring their own questions, priorities and expertise into collaborative research.

On Wednesday, 15 April, the University of Palermo hosted the seminar "Università, cittadini e ricerca collaborativa: la piattaforma EPiCS per il co-design di esperienze di Research Service-Learning".

On 31 March 2026, more than 80 participants gathered at the Carlo Urbani School of Advanced Studies in Camerino for CIVICLab – Building Civic Ecosystems between University and Territory.

How can universities and civil society organisations work together to generate greater social impact? This was the guiding question of the UNICAM World Café, held on 5 March 2026 at the University of Camerino.

Universities are increasingly called to create societal impact beyond teaching and research. The EPiCS project responds to this challenge by connecting Citizen Science, Service-Learning, and the Third Mission of Universities into a single framework for community engagement.

Citizen science is changing how knowledge is created by involving people in the research process. From collecting data to sharing local knowledge and lived experiences, citizens are becoming active contributors to research rather than simply its audience.

In recent decades, digital education has experienced rapid development due to the emergence of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platforms

The expansion of online and hybrid learning has significantly transformed educational practices in recent years.

EPiCS partners joined global experts to advance citizen science, research service-learning, and international collaboration, strengthening the project’s impact across Europe and beyond.

UNICAM is committed to democratizing science by integrating citizen science, service-learning, and deliberative engagement into education and research. Through EPiCS, it strengthens active citizenship and dialogue between academia, communities, and society.

“At ACEEU, we believe universities play a crucial role as engines of social, economic, and cultural change.”

“Sustained engagement with local communities requires trust-building over time, not just one-time participation,” the ULBS team highlights during the interview.

Interview with partner organisation: University of Thessaly
A strategic investment to institutionalise citizen science and make it a core competency of the university.

Chaperone’s mission is to empower scientists and research professionals to build meaningful, sustainable, and impactful careers both within and beyond academia.

Citizen Science empowers communities to co-create knowledge, but faces challenges of inclusivity, ethics, and policy impact. EPICS strengthens its democratic potential by linking research to real-world needs and civic participation.

EPICS connects research, dialogue, and community action, empowering students and citizens to co-create solutions and shape their futures.

Through Research Service-Learning, EPICS empowers students to grow from learners into changemakers, fostering skills, empathy, and civic engagement.