This eDNA Citizen Science project addresses the biodiversity crisis by combining citizen science with environmental DNA (eDNA) for more efficient and scalable biomonitoring of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The project will start in Leiden, where local stakeholders will be involved in the evaluation of the "Tweede Groene Ring," and will then be expanded to a national bioblitz. This approach connects innovative biomonitoring methods with policy-relevant data for a nature-positive society, making it transdisciplinary in nature. By involving citizens and leveraging existing networks, the project aims to be a comprehensive, cost-effective solution to monitor and reduce biodiversity loss from human activities.

In a world of sophisticated observing, measuring, and manufacturing methods, there is a growing need for suitable mathematical modeling tools. Partial differential equations (PDEs) are crucial for describing phenomena, such as water-wave movement or light propagation. Although PDEs have a long history, analyzing them remains among the most challenging fields of applied mathematics. This project seeks to refine analytical techniques that simplify model complexity by focusing on localized structures with heterogeneous tails. Such solutions are expected in relevant applications: solitary waves and wave packets for water wave equations, or pulse-like solutions for PDEs describing light flow in optical media.

EmPowerED aims to deliver a theoretically informed and empirically validated scalable and integrated systems co-creation approach for carbon-neutral heating that can be tailored to the specific local PED context. It addresses key knowledge gaps in citizen engagement, governance and technology. Our consortium of 11 knowledge institutes and 38 societal partners includes diverse citizen groups, civil society organizations, municipalities, grid operators, housing associations and technology & service providers, united in a community of practice. EmPowerED’s novel systems-design toolbox to co-create local heat solutions for PEDs will be tested in real-life use cases and experiments to ensure usability and capacity building.

The project has a ‘citizen-led’ character that enables residents of Leiden to express which healthy & sustainable living environment issues are most important in their neighbourhoods and participate in citizen science activities that provide data and insights that can inform policy, planning and local actions. In doing so we seek to embed these activities in the Leiden City of Knowledge partnership, and expand them to encompass residents, neighbourhoods, existing grassroots initiatives, and civil society organisations, such that all are working collaboratively towards a sustainable, healthy living environment for all residents of the city.