The European Union Prize for Citizen Science recognises the work of projects that encourage citizen participation to advance knowledge
Servet has reached 10 editions thanks to the joint work of Ibercivis and the Aragon Engineering Research Institute (I3A) of the University of Zaragoza
The citizen science and space exploration project Servet, the result of the collaboration between the Ibercivis Foundation, the University of Zaragoza through its Aragon Engineering Research Institute (I3A) and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), has been awarded an Honourable Mention in the prestigious European Citizen Science Prizes 2025, recognising its contribution to space exploration that is accessible to the public.
This honourable mention highlights the innovative infrastructure deployed by the project, which in the words of the jury “allows citizens to take an active part in the exploration of the stratosphere”. The project consists of carrying out scientific experiments designed by citizens that are then launched into space. The balloons are inflated with helium and carry the capsules that house these experiments. In their launches these balloons usually reach more than 30,000 metres in altitude, entering the stratosphere.
The European Citizen Science Prizes are organised by the European Commission, within the IMPETUS project, and reward and promote excellent projects with social and political impact in favour of a plural, inclusive and sustainable society. The Honourable Mention was announced at an event held in Brussels and organised by Ars Electronica on 19 June. Francisco Sanz, Executive Director of Ibercivis, received the news in the presence of Marc Tachelet, Director of the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Tachelet stressed the importance of “making research more impactful, closer to citizens and allowing greater trust in science”.
Servet, citizen science in the stratosphere
At all times the Servet participants have scientific advice to refine their research and analyse the data obtained. This model has made it possible that, over the ten editions of the project – the first balloon was launched in June 2017 – hundreds of people and dozens of schools across Spain have immersed themselves in this citizen science initiative, with an approach inspired by the maker communities and Do It Yourself. What makes this project special are the citizens, who set the scientific challenge, decide what to analyse and how to develop it,
always with the support of the organisation.
The Servet coordination and advisory team has been made up of the I3A researchers Enrique Torres and Natalia Ayuso, together with members of the Ibercivis Foundation – Francisco Sanz, Laude Guardia – and a good handful of citizen scientists who have put their time and knowledge at the service of the project in each of its editions.
Enrique Torres, principal investigator of the project, says: “Over these 10 editions we have held 8 launch events in different towns, with the participation of more than 1,000 schoolchildren from nearly 100 schools across Spain. This has allowed experiments near space in stratospheric conditions, very diverse projects that cover all aspects of STEAM with broad participation by girls and women”
The RIECS-Concept project, led by Ibercivis, was also presented at the awards event, to develop the new pan-European research infrastructure for excellent citizen science.