<< Background >>The EU has committed its 27 member states to the promotion of social inclusion to drive social cohesion. It has been deemed essential to promote the full participation of people with disabilities as part of the efforts to strengthen the EU’s new Disability Strategy, including those with sensory impairments. Still, there exists a pressing need to develop new approaches that offer empowerment routes to adults with sensory impairments, ultimately facilitating the creation of more inclusive and friendly societies.Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) citizens should have equal access to the EU’s public sphere. Typically, however, citizenship in the EU tends to be centered on hearing and speaking individuals, constituting a social policy that excludes DHH and promotes a ‘hearing culture that prioritizes audio-centric forms of communication over sign language’ (Turner et al. 2016). CitSci4All aims to create a methodology for DHH adults’ further inclusion in society, through their involvement in Citizen Science (CS) projects for climate change, a pillar that has become central to the EU’s climate action policy. CitSci4All means to help DHH adults become agents of change in their communities, locally and globally. Climate change can make anyone feel powerless, not to mention DHH adults. Yet CS provides mechanisms for citizens to take that power back. According to the EC (2020), “Citizen Science is a broad term, covering that part of Open Science in which citizens can participate in the scientific research process in different ways: as observers, as funders, in identifying images or analyzing data, or providing data themselves. This allows for the democratization of science, and is also linked to stakeholders’ engagement and public participation”. CS is one of the 8 Pillars of Open Science (European Citizen Science Association, ECSA) and as such, it contributes to new knowledge and innovation through the inclusion of DHH citizen scientists as well as strengthens efforts to make societies more inclusive for DHH individuals. CS can help citizens ‘improve their own local environments and drive a new, more participatory form of democracy’. Through science-society collaborations, exchanges, and the active engagement of citizens in this type of research, we can involve DHH adults who are almost entirely excluded from participation in such initiatives. However, CS is less developed as an approach to empowering disadvantaged populations specifically; it is very rarely used as a method to enable greater social participation by DHH people. Therefore, under the present conditions, social justice becomes highly necessary. Within CitSci4All, DHH adults are given opportunities to not only enhance their social participation and inclusion, but are also given the methodologies and tools to contribute to a social goal that brings about both personal and societal growth, and not solely for the scientific value of CS. DHH adults will contribute to CS projects that fit their aspirations.To measure and demonstrate social inclusion achievements, an evaluation base of the actual implementation and outcomes of such change will be provided. While the EU’s Green Deal points to the importance of citizens as catalysts for change, no specific mention is made for disadvantaged adults, much less so for those who are DHH. Yet, there is a tremendous opportunity for the inclusion of these populations so that they become part of a bigger societal goal.<< Objectives >>“CitSci4All - Social Inclusion and participation of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults in Citizen Science for Climate Change” project aims to empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) adults to engage with Citizen Science (CS) through rigorous scientific research, data collection and analysis of results in relation to climate change. This project sees CS as a means for social and environmental justice with an immediate impact on people’s living conditions, with citizens taking an active role, but not solely for the scientific value for CS, but also to exercise their rights for equal participation in societal life, including scientific initiatives of Open Science. Oft-excluded groups, like DHH adults, should be given opportunities to become both recipients as well as providers of information, especially within the context of environmental and climate action which is currently a pressing priority for the EU and will be so for the coming decades. The General Objectives of CitSci4All include: 1. Develop both deaf and hard of hearing adults’ skills and competences in CS for climate change2. Enhance DHH adults’ accessibility to Open Science initiatives, especially for climate change3. Promote the social inclusion and democratic participation of DHH adults (35+) in CS4. Strengthen DHH trainers, institutions and associations and relevant professional skills5. Create innovative, DHH-accessible methodologies for DHH trainers and DHH adults to enable their contribution to CS projects for climate change6. Strengthen the participation of disadvantaged groups in all project activities through the provision of inclusive services and psychosocial support by the relevant project partners<< Implementation >>The following activities will be implemented throughout the duration of CitSci4All project: Target groups will participate in surveys and interviews in PR1 to provide insight into the needs, gaps and experiences of DHH populations in relation to their inclusion and involvement in CS (especially for climate change). The entire PR2 Toolkit will be transmitted to DHH trainers of local/regional/national DHH institutions of each country. It’s been estimated that 75 DHH trainers from all partner countries will participate during the national workshops.At least 100 DHH adults (in total) will participate in CS projects for climate change during PR3.At least 12 DHH trainers and adults will participate in roundtables with CS experts and project partners for reflection and awareness-raising in PR4.5 Transnational Meetings in total, with the participation of 1 individual per partner organization.4 Multiplier Events,E1: Final International Conference in France with at least 35 local participantsE2: National Symposium in Cyprus with at least 25 local participantsE3: National Symposium in Italy with at least 25 local participantsE4: National Symposium in Greece with at least 25 local participants<< Results >>The CitSci4All project aims to empower DHH adults (35+) to participate in CS activities for climate change through creating and facilitating inclusive methodologies to do so. Its impact is addressing both the need for further inclusion of DHH individuals in scientific endeavors but also the advancement of CS for tackling climate change through the participation of wider parts of the general population. All PRs as well as project activities are designed to enhance and facilitate this 2-way process, by setting the fertile ground for the simultaneous involvement and collaboration of DHH adults and trainers in inclusive CS projects, whilst advancing CS data on climate change. Main Resultsa) The creation of an inclusive and innovative methodology for enabling the participation of DHH adults in CS for tackling climate change. DHH trainers will be given guidance (through R1-R4) on giving support and access to DHH adults who wish to engage in CS, while DHH adults will be given the tools to contribute to CS projects and analyze their results as well as engage in roundtables and reflection opportunities with partners and CS experts.b) The familiarization and upskilling of DHH trainers with DHH-inclusive Toolkits, Guides and Reports on CS for climate change for the equal participation of DHH adults in these scientific endeavors without barriers c) The design and implementation of an inclusive educational approach suitable for Deaf/Hard of Hearing adults Project Results * 1 Guide under the context of “PR1 - Guide on DHH Populations’ Engagement in Citizen Science for Climate Change”, which informs DHH trainers about the opportunities of CS for the social and scientific inclusion & participation of DHH adults for tackling climate change.* 1 Toolkit under the context of “PR2 - Customized Citizen Science Toolkit for DHH Trainers”, which aims to offer a methodology for planning, contributing to/constructing a CS project for climate change for DHH adults. R2 will be made up of digital learning nuggets and 30 inclusive multimedia resources, including bite-sized Elearning videos, interactive presentations, infographics, case studies. * 1 Report under the context of “PR3 - Comprehensive Report on Citizen Science Project Implementations by DHH Adults for Climate Change”, which aims to realize practical opportunities for adopting the inclusive methodologies created for the participation of DHH in CS. 100 DHH adults will participate in CS projects, collect, analyze and synthesize data to form the basis of the R3 report. *1 Report under the context of “PR4 - The Way Ahead to Open Roads: A Report on the Lessons Learnt and Gained Through the Inclusion of DHH Adults & Trainers in CS Projects for Climate Change”. R4 is aimed at outlining the key competencies, lessons and reflections of DHH trainers & adults through their participation in inclusive methodologies and exchanges related to CS for climate change. DHH-adapted video testimonials will accompany the report as maps of social change.