Step 9: Recognition of the citizen’s efforts/rewards

 Many citizen scientists volunteer their time and effort out of personal interest or passion, and offering rewards or other types of awards can further motivate and recognise their valuable contributions. It is important to highlight the objective and the overall aim of this data collection in the communication. Incentives and rewards motivate citizen scientists because they offer recognition of their role and achievements, make them more aware of their impact, give their contribution a greater sense of purpose, and boost their motivation and participation.

Tools to encourage feedback are:

Possible rewards could be:

• Provide financial support
  
• Provide sensors for free
• Provide travel costs to workshops/ meetings
• Provide access to software and dashboards
• Provide small gifts
  

Possible awards could be given for:

• participation
• outstanding volume of data collected
• young citizen scientists
• outstanding data quality
• long-term contribution
• self-initiative participation