<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /></head><body style='font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif'>
<p>Dear all, </p>
<p> </p>
<p>here is a message from Kyle for discussion</p>
<p>best regards</p>
<p>anne-sophie</p>
<div> </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left; color: black; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: #b5c4df 1pt solid; border-right: medium none; padding: 3pt 0in 0in 0in;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">From: </span>Ana Cristina Cardoso <<a href="mailto:ana-cristina.cardoso@ec.europa.eu">ana-cristina.cardoso@ec.europa.eu</a>><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Date: </span>Monday, 8 May 2017 at 17.56<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">To: </span>"<a href="mailto:bernat.claramunt@uab.cat">bernat.claramunt@uab.cat</a>" <<a href="mailto:bernat.claramunt@uab.cat">bernat.claramunt@uab.cat</a>>, "<a href="mailto:dcogalniceanu@univ-ovidius.ro">dcogalniceanu@univ-ovidius.ro</a>" <<a href="mailto:dcogalniceanu@univ-ovidius.ro">dcogalniceanu@univ-ovidius.ro</a>>, "<a href="mailto:elena.tricarico@unifi.it">elena.tricarico@unifi.it</a>" <<a href="mailto:elena.tricarico@unifi.it">elena.tricarico@unifi.it</a>>, "<a href="mailto:emarchante@uc.pt">emarchante@uc.pt</a>" <<a href="mailto:emarchante@uc.pt">emarchante@uc.pt</a>>, "<a href="mailto:Gaia.Agnello@mfn-berlin.de">Gaia.Agnello@mfn-berlin.de</a>" <<a href="mailto:Gaia.Agnello@mfn-berlin.de">Gaia.Agnello@mfn-berlin.de</a>>, "<a href="mailto:hele@ceh.ac.uk">hele@ceh.ac.uk</a>" <<a href="mailto:hele@ceh.ac.uk">hele@ceh.ac.uk</a>>, Kyle Copas <<a href="mailto:kcopas@gbif.org">kcopas@gbif.org</a>>, "<a href="mailto:melanie.josefsson@naturvardsverket.se">melanie.josefsson@naturvardsverket.se</a>" <<a href="mailto:melanie.josefsson@naturvardsverket.se">melanie.josefsson@naturvardsverket.se</a>>, "<a href="mailto:Peter.Brown@anglia.ac.uk">Peter.Brown@anglia.ac.uk</a>" <<a href="mailto:Peter.Brown@anglia.ac.uk">Peter.Brown@anglia.ac.uk</a>>, "<a href="mailto:quentin.groom@plantentuinmeise.be">quentin.groom@plantentuinmeise.be</a>" <<a href="mailto:quentin.groom@plantentuinmeise.be">quentin.groom@plantentuinmeise.be</a>>, "<a href="mailto:tim.adriaens@inbo.be">tim.adriaens@inbo.be</a>" <<a href="mailto:tim.adriaens@inbo.be">tim.adriaens@inbo.be</a>>, "<a href="mailto:zenetos@hcmr.gr">zenetos@hcmr.gr</a>" <<a href="mailto:zenetos@hcmr.gr">zenetos@hcmr.gr</a>><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject: </span>Contact for preparation of a joint COST project proposal on Invasive Alien Species and citizen science </div>
<div> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div style="direction: ltr; font-family: Tahoma; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">Dear Colleagues,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">We are contacting you about the preparation of a joint project proposal on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and citizen science (CS) to be submitted to the COST Association under the currently open call. <br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">It is widely recognised that the effective management of biological invasions, including the implementation of legislation such as the EU Regulation on IAS, requires accurate, detailed, and timely information on occurrences and distribution of IAS for their efficient prevention, early detection, rapid response, and also for evaluating the effectiveness of management measures. <br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">In recent years, the contribution of citizens in the context of IAS monitoring has escalated worldwide, in association with the development of supporting telecommunication tools and the internet. <br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">A recent Communication of the Commission (COM(2017)198 final) acknowledges the benefit that nature protection can obtain from engaging citizens in the implementation of environment legislation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">Engaging citizens entails knowledge exchange, training, awareness raising and involvement in monitoring and implementation of control measures. In addition, awareness raising and educational aspects of engaging citizens in scientific research can also positively affect behavioural change.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">The workshop on "Citizen Science and Open Data: a model for Invasive Alien Species in Europe´, held in Brussels on 8<sup>th</sup> February 2017, delivered key recommendations for researchers, policy makers and implementing authorities, indicating future research and policy directions/ opportunities regarding CS and IAS:</span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">In the project proposal we would develop, we suggest to give a follow up to these key recommendations:</span></p>
<p class="Default"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">Organisational and governance issues</span></strong></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Ensure the long-term sustainability of CS projects, e.g. by identifying and acknowledging local "IAS champions", providing feedback to participants to maximize their involvement, developing reward systems, anticipating technological advances, and refining the CS projects to the users' needs.</span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Promote reuse and sharing of interoperable CS data, avoiding duplication by enhancing the use of standards in CS data (e.g. Darwin Core) and licensing, at least at EU level. </span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Encourage dissemination of existing tools, by promoting free and open IAS smart apps, re-usable source code, ease translation into multiple languages (e.g. as in JRC's Invasive Alien Species Europe), and aligning and coordinating CS efforts within Europe and beyond.</span></p>
<p class="Default"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">Technical issues</span></strong></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Enhance timely CS data flows, in particular for issuing alerts on IAS of Union concern to MS competent authorities. </span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Improve quality assurance and decrease bias of CS data about IAS through a) automated mechanisms where possible, b) exploit trends in filtering systems to select data with specified confidence level, c) use of dedicated training, including guidance on validation criteria for the IAS of Union concern coming from CS initiatives. </span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Coordinate and aggregate validated CS data about IAS to open repositories, such as GBIF and EASIN, where managers can find all data in one place and analyze them through web services</span></p>
<p class="Default"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">Strengthening interactions between citizens, scientists and policy-makers </span></strong></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Tackle the scepticism of governmental authorities in relation to CS data by highlighting successful showcases. </span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Promote available expertise and share guidelines about the use of CS for IAS related matters across all MS.</span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Increase public participation in targeted IAS field campaigns that use good experimental designs and appropriate methods and tools, including the smooth use of smart apps (e.g. collecting as less personal information as required).</span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">- Address legal and ethical issues by clearly stating the terms of participation, and following data protection obligations.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">The next deadline for collection of proposal is the 7<sup>th</sup> September 2017, for instructions on participation see <a href="http://www.cost.eu/participate/open_call">http://www.cost.eu/participate/open_call</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">We have roughly 4 months, including the summer holiday period, to complete and submit a proposal. This entails the development of the compilation of a technical annex, establishing the participant's network and completion of e-COST profiles. Therefore, and to guide the preparation of the proposal, we suggest the following schedule:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> 9<sup>th</sup> May: 1<sup>st</sup> contact, request of participation intent and propose timetable of proposal development</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> 16<sup>th</sup> May: feedback on email of 9<sup>th</sup> May, including interest participating to the proposal and to the drafting meeting at JRC</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> 9<sup>th</sup> June: Draft proposal shared </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> 21<sup>st</sup> June (indicative date): Drafting meeting at JRC</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> ...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"> 31<sup>st</sup> August: final draft proposal <br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">I am looking forward to receiving your feedback.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">With best regards,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;">Ana Cristina<br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /> <span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></p>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><a name="_MailAutoSig"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><strong>A</strong></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><strong>na Cristina Cardoso (Ph.D.)</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><strong> </strong></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><strong>European Commission</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">DG Joint Research Centre</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Directorate D- Sustainable Resources</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Unit D.02 Water and Marine Resources</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Via E. Fermi 2749, Building 27 (TP 270)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">I-21027 Ispra (VA)/ Italy</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Tel: +39 0332 785702</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Email: </span></span><a href="mailto:ana-cristina.cardoso@jrc.ec.europa.eu"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">ana-cristina.cardoso@ec.europa.eu</span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><a href="http://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/</span></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><a href="http://mcc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://mcc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/</span></span></a></div>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Tahoma',sans-serif;"><br /> </span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>-- <br />
<p><img src="http://www.gbif.fr/sites/all/themes/bootstrap/gbif_theme/img/signature/signature_ASA.png" alt="" width="420" height="129" /></p>
</div>
</body></html>