Local Action Guide: a citizen science platform for environmental efforts led by locals

Starting an environmental project can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a background in science. But people who live near the Danube often know their environment best and care deeply about protecting it. These people can play a powerful role in environmental research and action. They just need the right tools and support. That’s where the Local Action Guide comes in! Science is not just for scientists The newly developed Local Action Guide, developed by PULSAQUA, is a digital platform created to empower local communities and organisations to lead their own environmental monitoring and restoration efforts throughout the Danube River Basin. Designed to be user-friendly and accessible, the platform helps anyone (regardless of experience) find relevant information, choose suitable methods, and take action towards local environmental issues. It removes common barriers by offering accessible scientific tools, practical guidance, and educational resources, all in one place. The Local Action Guide is developed by PULSAQUA – a company based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with an expertise in involving the public in science. What can it help you do? Right from the start, the platform shows you what it can be like to be part of a local environmental project in the Danube River Basin with a video of the recent Water Sports Clean Up in Vienna.

Figure 1: Screenshot Local Action Guide website - Landing Page

To support a broad audience, the platform offers background information in various engaging formats. You can explore an interactive website about nature restoration or watch a short whiteboard animation that explains how locals can contribute to science.

Figure 2: Screenshot Local Action Guide website - Follow the River

When you are prepped and ready with the necessary information, you can begin to explore what’s already out there! The Tools & Methods Quiz helps you search through a collection of environmental tools and citizen science methods. You can sort them by theme, location, or material availability.

Did you not find what you were looking for? The AI Resource Helper is here to assist! Query the database of available resources by asking a question. The Resource Helper will provide you with an answer, direct you to the relevant resource, and suggest follow-up questions.

First test is concluded!

The prototype of the Local Action Guide was tested for the first time in May 2025 during the annual DANUBE4all project meeting in Ulm, Germany. During an interactive workshop, project partners used the platform with minimal instruction to simulate the experience of using the guide without any guidance. They worked through example scenarios, such as tracking microplastics, monitoring invasive species, or testing water quality in nearby waters.

Figure 3: Workshop during the General Assembly in Ulm

Picture by Camille Janssen, PULSAQUA

Overall, the first impressions were positive. Participants appreciated the platform’s clean design and structure. They also gave helpful suggestions, such as adding a section that guides users through the next steps once they have gathered scientific insights.

The next phase will be testing the platform directly with local communities and organisations. Their feedback will help ensure the platform truly meets their needs and supports their environmental goals.

Citizen Science

The Local Action Guide is based on the idea of citizen science, which means involving non-professionals in scientific projects. This could include designing research questions, setting up research projects, or analysing results. There are many forms of citizen science, but they all share one key belief: that people with minimal science experience can play a meaningful role in science. The Local Action Guide shows that science really isn’t just for scientists. Anyone with curiosity and commitment can get involved and help protect the Danube.

Interested?

If you are curious about in the Local Action Guide, have a look yourself at https://LocalActionGuide.mykajabi.com/.

See you there!

This article has been written Sharon van den Burg and Grace Saville, developers of the Local Action Guide at PULSAQUA, DANUBE4all partner.