Citizens' sustainable engagement in Citizen Social Science (CSS) projects: The experience of the YOUCOUNT project

Citizen Social Science (CSS) is a methodological framework which implies the involvement of non-professional researchers – that is, citizens scientists (CSs) – in scientific projects along with professional researchers. Citizens voluntarily decide to engage in these projects with no expectation of economic rewards; thus, understanding the factors sustaining their motivation and commitment, as well as the enrichments stemming for them and for the beneficiaries represent relevant issues for sustaining their engagement in such projects. Aim of this study was deepen CSs' experience within the project "YouCount - Empowering Youth and Cocreating Social Innovations and Policymaking through Youth-Focused Citizen Social Science", funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 programme. Nine interviews were conducted and analyzed using the Thematic Analysis methodology. Intrinsic motivations seem to be the most relevant for CSs' involvement in CSS projects as well as to maintain their engagement over time. Even though difficulties may arise during project activities, flexibility and positive relationships represent key resources to overcome them while avoiding dropouts. Overall, CSS can produce impacts and relational goods both with reference to their beneficiaries and to the CSs involved. A better understanding of these aspects can provide professional researchers, CSs, and project beneficiaries with further enrichments, as it will be discussed.