D-NOSES and OdourCollect awarded in the second edition of the European Union Prize for Citizen Science 2024

Odour pollution is a significant environmental issue that often goes unnoticed by the governments due to the lack of regulations and data. This fact, leaves the citizens unprotected against this type of pollution. Yet, it has a profound impact on public health, accounting for 30% of environmental complaints worldwide, according to the WHO. 

The project titled “OdourCollect and D-NOSES: Citizen Science to Foster Environmental Governance and Tackle Odour Pollution” exemplifies how citizens can contribute to solving complex environmental issues. The initiative has successfully filled this gap by developing a methodology that empowers citizens to track odour pollution using their most powerful tool— their noses!

Through 10 case studies, this innovative project has brought together public administrations, industries, researchers, and citizens to co-design effective solutions to mitigate the impact of odour pollution. The result? Reliable data gathered using the citizen science app “OdourCollecct”. With the help of OdourCollect citizens have been able to monitor odour pollution, making their voices heard and driving change at multiple levels of government.

Thanks to this huge amount of data, D-NOSES and OdourCollect have been able to inform public policies at different levels. At European level, D-NOSES organized the event  “Revisiting odour pollution in Europe” in the EU Parliament to call for a common regulatory framework and for the recognition of odour as an environmental pollutant. As a direct consequence, the CoR requested an amendment to the “EU Action Plan: Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil” to incorporate citizen science to monitor odour pollution.

OdourCollect continues to empower citizens to tackle odour pollution and encourages policymakers to take action. But, most importantly: it makes visible the invisible, by putting all types of smells in the map, thanks to citizen science. Together, we are making a difference, one smell at a time.

OdourCollect has also developed scientific educational projects, workshops and activities at schools, libraries or Museums, creating artistic experiences focused on smells as a source of inspiration.

This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, especially our CEO, Rosa Arias, creator of OdourCollect, who coordinated the D-NOSES project at Fundación Ibercivis, who helped steer this remarkable European initiative.