The Finnish Association of Citizen Sciences (FACTZ) is a national organization that brings together diverse people in Finland around a single shared goal: to advance knowledge through scientific research carried out by, for, and alongside citizens.

As a methodological approach and a scientific practice, citizen science is growing in scope, scale and impact. It is shifting how data collection, public engagement, and societal relevance are understood in various disciplines and by multiple institutions.

The association seeks to draw attention to citizen science initiatives ongoing and in the future across Finland – at Finnish universities, institutes, schools, municipalities, companies and other organisations. We seek to improve knowledge about citizen science and to showcase the diversity and complexity of ongoing and successfully completed scientific research projects which work with and for citizens and society, in Finland and globally.

Founded in 2022 by engaged researchers at the University of Oulu, the organization is led by an Executive Board of decision-makers, research scientists, institute leaders, municipal officers, and citizens all across the country. FACTZ was inspired by the Envirocent project sponsored by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Biodiverse Anthropocenes research program.

Through FACTZ we seek to bring together people in Finland who design, lead, oversee, research and take part in citizen science. As an emerging, transdisciplinary global practice, citizen science needs such open connections in order to exchange knowledge and methods, identify shared challenges, and push forward innovation in theory and practice. FACTZ will strengthen these connections and networks within Finland so that Finnish and Finland-based scientists and citizens can be better equipped to engage with local, national and global citizen science initiatives now and in the future.

Association members directly support our work to advance the field of citizen science, while anyone leading or involved in citizen science projects can spotlight their projects on our website or solicit participation from citizens. We also look to create strategic alliances with other societies as a means of allowing citizen science research to become part of the common scientific practice of multiple disciplines and fields and to become known by and open to numerous societal groups and individuals.

On this website, you can learn more about citizen science, find out about upcoming related events in Finland, and if you are interested in getting involved in what we do, please feel free to drop us an email by contacting us here.