Responding to demands for environmental compliance: the role of civic evidence
webinar
24 November 2026
12:00
to
13:00
(Paris time)
ONLINE. Tuesday, November 24⋅12:00 – 1:00pm |CET
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Responding to demands for environmental compliance: the role of civic evidence
ENFORCE your knowledge webinar
“People report incidents but hear nothing back.” An environmental authority representative interviewed by ENFORCE described a frustration that can undermine citizen monitoring: people invest time in documenting environmental problems but remain unsure whether their findings have been considered.
Citizen observations can reveal recurring pollution and environmental changes that might otherwise escape attention. However, even carefully collected information can be difficult for public authorities to use when it sits outside established procedures. Evidence that helps an inspector decide where to investigate is not necessarily evidence that can, on its own, prove a violation. Expecting volunteers to provide the latter may place an unreasonable burden on communities and overlook the value of their observations.
This ENFORCE webinar will bring together perspectives from European research, citizen science and regional environmental administration to examine how civic evidence can contribute to environmental monitoring, decision-making and compliance mechanisms.
What we will discuss
- What kinds of environmental evidence are citizens and communities producing, and what needs or information gaps are they addressing?
- How can civic evidence complement institutional environmental monitoring and compliance mechanisms?
- What makes citizen-generated evidence credible, usable and relevant for public authorities?
- What institutional, procedural or legal barriers may prevent civic evidence from informing environmental decisions or enforcement?
- When is further scientific validation needed, and who should be responsible for carrying it out?
- How should public authorities respond when civic evidence indicates possible environmental non-compliance?
- How can authorities provide meaningful feedback to the citizens and communities submitting evidence?
Speakers
Pieter Beck
Researcher, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Researcher, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Prof. Uta Wehn
Professor of Citizen Science and Sustainability, IHE Delft; Coordinator of more4nature
Professor of Citizen Science and Sustainability, IHE Delft; Coordinator of more4nature
Katerina Vavadaki
Head of the Department of Environment, Heraklion Regional Unit
Head of the Department of Environment, Heraklion Regional Unit
Georgia Tseva
Researcher, University of Thessaly and ENFORCE; webinar moderator
Researcher, University of Thessaly and ENFORCE; webinar moderator
Agenda
12:00–12:05 | Welcome and introduction
Introduction to ENFORCE and the central question of the webinar.
Introduction to ENFORCE and the central question of the webinar.
12:05–12:15 | ENFORCE findings: setting the scene
Key findings concerning environmental compliance, civic engagement and the role of evidence.
Key findings concerning environmental compliance, civic engagement and the role of evidence.
12:15–12:45 | Speaker contributions
Perspectives from European research, citizen science and regional environmental administration.
Perspectives from European research, citizen science and regional environmental administration.
12:45–13:00 | Audience questions and moderated discussion
Discussion of the conditions under which civic evidence can become actionable for environmental compliance, followed by closing reflections.
Discussion of the conditions under which civic evidence can become actionable for environmental compliance, followed by closing reflections.
Who should attend
The webinar will be relevant to public authorities and environmental administrations, citizen-science and community-monitoring initiatives, researchers, civil society organisations, policymakers and practitioners working on environmental governance and compliance.
Practical information
Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2026
Time: 12:00–13:00 CET
Location: Online
Language: English
Participation: Registration required
Time: 12:00–13:00 CET
Location: Online
Language: English
Participation: Registration required
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