HydroCrowd vs KNOWING Shape Your Future

HydroCrowd is a research project of the Justus Liebig University Giessen, which investigates the potential of participatory monitoring to increase the availability of hydro-climatic data for sustainable water management, especially in remote areas in the global south. The project will test different approaches to engage volunteers through the implementation and evaluation of a participatory hydro-climatic monitoring program in selected mountain regions in Ecuador, Honduras and Tanzania. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how the data collected by the volunteers can be used in hydrological modelling and, therefore, improve the prediction of climate change impact on water resources in data-scarce regions. The project outputs can be used to guide the development of future participatory monitoring programs and stimulate upscaling of the approach to other regions to address the lack of hydro-climatic data for evidence-based decision making and sustainable water management. Volunteers participate by reporting measurements from easy-to-use instruments at weather and water stations installed in the project areas in Ecuador, Honduras and Tanzania. These measurements include rainfall, air temperature and humidity, as well as the water level and turbidity of rivers and streams. To evaluate the quality of the data, the data will be compared with automated reference measurements at selected sites. These are then systematically examined and tested for their suitability for modeling. This app enables easy submission of data by the volunteers and provides instructions on how to collect data. Furthermore, users can view the data previously submitted by other volunteers. As the remote study areas have limited network access, it is recommended to download the map of your region and the locations of the stations before going to any of the HydroCrowd stations. In addition to reporting measurements from the HydroCrowd stations, volunteers also have the opportunity to create spots to record their own rainfall data, and to report weather events using ‘photo notes’. The HydroCrowd Citizen Science App is running on the SPOTTERON Platform.

The climate crisis is reshaping our world, bringing increasing risks to our health, safety, and daily lives. From droughts and wildfires to storms, floods, and urban heat waves, the effects of climate change are already here. It’s no longer just about preventing further damage - it’s about adapting to the changes happening now while working toward a climate-neutral future. This app is your guide to understanding the complex challenges of climate change through realistic storytelling and practical insights. It helps you explore how different factors - like energy use, mobility, and infrastructure - interconnect and impact our environment, society, and economy. You’ll learn: - How different regions are affected by climate change, from coastal flood risks to extreme drought. - Which actions and solutions can help both mitigate climate change and make communities more resilient. - How you can contribute - whether you're just getting started or already engaged in climate action. Designed for everyone who cares about the planet, this app makes it easy to take the first step toward informed, impactful decisions. The app is part of the EU-funded KNOWING project, dedicated to supporting sustainable transitions and climate-neutral pathways across Europe. The KNOWING project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 10105684. Download the app now and start shaping a climate-resilient future!