Citizen Science in Africa: How ATRAP Project Adapts to Local Needs for Snail-Borne Disease Monitoring

Citizen Science Expands Globally but Faces Local Adaptations

Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a credible approach for monitoring and reporting on local environmental and health conditions worldwide. However, its effectiveness in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) hinges on adapting to local constraints such as participant profiles, education levels, and available time.

This challenge is addressed in a new study published in Community Science, which examines the ATRAP (Action Towards Reducing snail-borne Parasitic diseases) project in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

ATRAP Project: Lessons from Uganda and DRC

The ATRAP project focuses on monitoring snail-borne diseases in Uganda and the DRC, offering insights into how citizen science can be tailored to local contexts. Researchers highlight the importance of providing material and social benefits to participants while accounting for local social structures and practices.

The study also questions the universal applicability of the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) 10 principles of citizen science, suggesting that these principles may need adjustment to better suit LMIC settings.

Key Findings from the ATRAP Project

• Citizen science initiatives must align with local social and economic realities to be effective.
• Providing tangible benefits to participants enhances engagement and reliability.
• The ECSA 10 principles may require adaptation for successful implementation in LMICs.

Citation and Credibility

Ashepet, M. G., Mulmi, J., Michellier, C., Jacobs, L., Pype, K., Huyse, T. (2026). Citizen science principles in practice: Lessons from Uganda and the democratic Republic of Congo. Community Science, 5, e2025CSJ000149. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025CSJ000149

—Muki Haklay, Editor, Community Science