In this Q&A, we explore how co-created citizen science is bringing Mexico City’s homeless communities into the heart of research on water, san...

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In this Q&A, we explore how co-created citizen science is bringing Mexico City’s homeless communities into the heart of research on water, san...
In this Q&A, we explore how co-created citizen science is bringing Mexico City’s homeless communities into the heart of research on water, sanitation and hygiene. Learn about this innovative approach through the experiences and insights of the project team.

Carla Liera / Published on 14 November 2023

Citizen scientist undertaking data collection with community member. Photo: El Caracol A.C.
In urban settings, public water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are essential, yet often they are unsafe, poorly maintained or inaccessible. This disproportionately affects marginalized groups, especially the homeless, who depend on these facilities. Homeless populations are typically excluded from decision-making processes, and their needs are overlooked. Co-created citizen science offers a way to include these communities in scientific and decision-making processes, amplifying their voices and contributing to more inclusive solutions.

In partnership with El Caracol, a Mexican civil society organization, we launched a seed fund project focused on co-created citizen science with a homeless community in Mexico City. Our objective was to comprehensively understand their WASH needs. The project utilized different co-creation activities to understand the community’s context and develop instruments for gathering information. These instruments were then employed to assess existing facilities and establish safety standards. Data collection and analysis were collaboratively conducted by citizen scientists and our research group.
https://www.sei.org/features/exploring-citizen-science-water-sanitation-homeless-mexico-city/

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