The poster highlights the key results from a case study examining the development of Finland’s first national policy on citizen science. This case study explores the participatory policy- making process, focusing on the development of the Recommendation for Citizen Science (2022) using stakeholder theory, a concept of participatory policymaking that emphasises the importance of engaging stakeholders in the policy development process (Lemke & Harris-Wai, 2015).

The policy initiative, part of a policy publications series by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies, was driven by the Ministry of Education and Culture’s mandate to promote open science. The National Open Science and Research Coordination is responsible for drafting open science policies and recommendations in Finland, aiming to align with the strategic principles outlined in the Finnish Declaration for Open Science and Research (2020). The National Coordination is an inclusive network of Finnish open science experts, divided into four expert panels, led by a steering group and supported by a secretariat operating in the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies. Citizen science is becoming a widely used scientific method that involves the engagement of individuals outside of academia in scientific research activities, contributing to data collection, analysis, and various other stages of the research process (Hicks et al., 2019). The policy development process was initiated to address the need for a comprehensive framework supporting citizen science activities in Finland.

A collaborative approach was employed, involving diverse stakeholders such as academic institutions, researchers, research funders, and citizen scientists. The Citizen Science Working Group, which was part of the National Coordination, conducted background research and facilitated stakeholder consultations, employing an iterative drafting process that included multiple rounds of feedback and public commentary to ensure transparency and inclusivity.

Data collection began at the end of 2020 with a questionnaire targeting citizen science practitioners and potential practitioners to map challenges and obstacles. The survey, conducted in February 2021, received 152 responses and highlighted significant gaps in institutional support for citizen science, including the absence of formal guidelines, training, and visibility in funding mechanisms. These findings informed the policy recommendations, which emphasise enhancing researcher freedom, providing structured training, and integrating citizen science into mainstream research practices.

This case study illustrates the strengths and limitations of participatory policy-making in science by examining the policy-making process using stakeholder theory. The poster presents key findings and shows how survey responses informed successive drafts.

While the approach enhanced the policy’s responsiveness to stakeholder needs, it also revealed challenges in awareness and inclusivity. The findings underscore the importance of fostering inclusive and iterative processes that engage a broader spectrum of stakeholders. The Finnish model’s emphasis on national-level engagement and collaboration offers valuable lessons for global efforts in participatory science policy development.