This section explores the wide-ranging impact citizen science projects can have on a global scale, encompassing social, cultural, economic and political aspects. It also examines the impact of these projects on the participants involved and highlights the responsibility of the researchers involved. Our researchers explore the different ways in which they assess the influence of their projects and the potential for further collaboration with project stakeholders. The section also addresses the recognition of citizen participation within these projects, highlighting how their contributions can be acknowledged and how the potential for them to benefit from the project’s results.

Citizen science projects usually aim to have a tangible impact on society. They serve to make the research more relevant to certain societal challenges and empower the public to become active contributors to potential changes. These initiatives not only bridge the gap between research and the public, but also have the potential to reshape the perspectives within the discipline itself. In doing so, they contribute to the democratization of knowledge.

Citizen science projects have the potential to spark a ripple effect, generating a broader movement and inspiring the emergence of new kind of initiatives. It's not uncommon for individuals who have participated in citizen science projects to carry forward their newfound enthusiasm and commitment in various other forms and avenues. Citizen science initiatives frequently act as catalysts, stimulating self-organisation and mobilisation within communities, thereby nurturing a profound sense of agency among both individuals and groups. One of the examples is when a community, emboldened by their involvement in a project, feels empowered to actively engage in dialogues and negotiations with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

It can be therefore recommended to think through the sustainability of the project’s results, ensuring that they can thrive independently without a continuous researcher’s intervention. The underlying principle is to equip communities with the essential resources and knowledge, not merely as recipients, but as active participants in the scientific process. By imparting scientific methodologies, these communities can acquire the capacity to adapt these methods for their future self-organised initiatives, thereby fostering a sense of autonomy, and resilience within the community. Empowering participants is a pivotal aspect of citizen science and can be achieved through acknowledging and highlighting their contributions. A best practice in this context involves crediting them as co-authors in project materials.