1️⃣Driving Energy

How do we drive enthusiasm within the CO?

The urgency of environmental issues is often a powerful reason for communities to get involved. However, keeping that motivation high over the long term in a Citizen Observatory can be challenging. The goal of this section is to help your community feel empowered to brainstorm ideas and step up to lead and take collective action.

Taking action doesn’t need to wait until you’re collecting data. Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in community science processes, you can integrate meaningful action at any stage.

A vital first step is to create an inclusive environment where people feel welcome to contribute ideas, share perspectives, and participate actively. This kind of supportive space is essential for creativity and collaboration to thrive.

Why does this matter?

Communities are more likely to stay engaged when they feel empowered and involved in shaping the response to the issues they care about. While environmental concerns often trigger participation, maintaining momentum requires deliberate strategies. Here, we explore ways to keep that momentum alive—recognizing the long-term effort it takes to sustain engagement.

How can this be done?

Designing settings where ideas can be shared, refined, and acted upon is key. Whether online or in person, giving participants time and space to contribute in a judgment-free atmosphere strengthens collective energy and encourages innovation. Below are two practical tools to kick-start this process:

Brainwriting

Brainwriting is a simple yet powerful way to spark open discussion and surface diverse perspectives. Each participant writes down ideas on a large piece of paper or post-it notes using different coloured pens, within a set timeframe. The session can be self-organised or led by a facilitator, but the key is to ensure a judgment-free atmosphere where all contributions are welcome. Afterward, ideas can be evaluated using a pre-agreed method—like a voting system—to identify the most feasible, impactful, or intriguing suggestions. This method works just as well in person as it does online using tools such as Miro, Coggle or Mural.

More on brainstorming strategies available here.

Problem Definition Framework

Before jumping into solutions, it’s critical to clearly define the problem. This framework helps teams break down an issue from multiple angles, allowing them to understand the broader context and related challenges. It provides a structured, time-efficient way to analyse a specific problem using key criteria. This clarity helps align the group’s focus and makes it easier to generate targeted ideas and define relevant objectives—ensuring that your efforts are actually addressing the root environmental concern.

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