Citizen science initiatives contribute to change in many different ways, depending on their goals and context.

Projects may influence policy systems directly, shape governance processes, contribute to scientific agendas, raise awareness among wider publics, or strengthen collaborative networks (Bonney et al., 2016; Fraisl et al., 2022). In many cases, influence occurs in less visible ways, such as building trust between communities and institutions or supporting long-term cultural change (Hecker et al., 2018; Moore et al., 2015).

Recognising these different pathways allows projects to define influence in ways that are meaningful and achievable, rather than relying on narrow or externally imposed definitions of impact.

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