On October 29–30, the SPOON project held an in-person train-the-trainers event in Bruges to strengthen the skills and capacities of the Citizen Science Lab (CSL) coordinators. The two-day training focused on practical tools, facilitation techniques, and knowledge-sharing approaches to help coordinators lead engaging workshops and meetings.
Hosted by ILVO and supported by Science for Change (SFC), the event brought together the SPOON’s partners coordinating our six pilot sites.
Day 1: Sharing Goals, Tools, and Creative Methods
During the first day, each CSL kicked off the event by presenting their goals, ongoing activities, and challenges using innovative formats. Highlights included the City Tour method with a Card Game for feedback and the Metaphoric Dish exercise with Tasting Notes placemats to collect participant insights.
An ILVO researcher introduced the food environment concept through an interactive storytelling session—“A Day Through the Eyes of Sofia in Lettuceville”—which explored the barriers and enablers to sustainable and healthy eating habits. Participants then took part in a role-play activity using assigned personas to practice moderating focus groups.
The day concluded with a co-design session facilitated by SFC, where participants collaboratively designed an agenda and activities for a mock workshop aimed at developing research questions for the project’s Digital Toolset questionnaire.
Day 2: Defining Roles and Exchanging Knowledge
The second day opened with a workshop led by SFC on the role of Knowledge Brokers where participants defined their necessary characteristics, actions, relation to the project, and potential challenges and solutions.
Next, a structured peer-exchange session encouraged participants to revisit and prioritize their “freezer questions”—the topics and uncertainties still awaiting discussion in CSL activities.
The training wrapped up with a reflective “Takeaway Placemat” activity, where participants summarized their key learnings, new skills, and areas for further growth.
To close on a sweet note, the group enjoyed dessert at Otto Waffle Atelier, a Bruges Food Lab participant known for its sustainable, seasonal, and natural ingredients.
Inspiring Progress and Collaboration
The event was both productive and energizing. Participants left with greater clarity on the role of the CSLs and a wide range of creative tools to draw on when designing their own activities across SPOON’s pilot cities.
Stay tuned to see how these new methods and insights take shape in the months ahead!
