Youth Sensing

A youth exchange coordinated by Buinho that brought citizen sensing — citizen science with low-cost sensors — into the Youth in Action programme. Young people learned to build their own instruments and to use environmental data to discuss real issues in their territory, with field visits and public-space interventions in the municipality of Castro Verde.

Planned before the pandemic, the project was adapted to the health rules and the exchange took place in the summer of 2021, open only to young people with fewer opportunities. For many it was their first Erasmus experience — and, after 18 months of lockdowns, their first chance to spend time with young people from other countries. The project sparked interest from municipalities, schools and residents, who took part in the visits and interventions.

The method developed in Youth Sensing has since been used in schools in Baixo Alentejo and in training for youth workers, and it is the root of the work that continues today in Sentir Europa and Invisible Cartographies.

• 42 participants: 35 young people with fewer opportunities and 7 youth leaders
• Low-cost sensors for noise, air and water pollution, built by the participants
• Workshops on 3D modelling and printing, Arduino and programming, and participatory methods

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