The DCitizens project successfully built research and innovation capacity in the field of Digital Civics in Lisbon. The project established a collaborative network among IST-ID, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, the Italian Institute of Technologies, and the University of Siegen to foster scientific excellence.
Major outcomes
DCitizens achieved the three major outcomes:
1) Enhanced scientific and organisational capacity of ITI and its scientific profile
The DCitizens project has significantly transformed the Interactive Technologies Institute into a pole of excellence in Digital Civics through three key pillars. First, the project established a professional Research Management Unit with six staff members, improving competitiveness in funding calls and resulting in an increase from one to eight EU proposals in Digital Civics. Second, the project enhanced training and created a critical mass through MSc/PhD co-supervision, the recruitment of 18 new students, 129 weeks of staff exchanges, 17 short courses for early-stage researchers, four summer schools, and a guest lecture/seminar series featuring 23 experts. Third, the project increased scientific activity, resulting in 32 international publications, including a notable rise from 2 full papers related to Digital Civics in 2022 to 7 full papers in flagship venues in 2025 alone.
2) Reinforcement of international collaborative networks, visibility, and attractiveness of ITI
DCitizens strengthened ITI’s international profile and research capacity in Digital Civics. The project exceeded its targets across multiple key performance indicators, organising 11 high-visibility scientific events (target: 2), hosting 27 invited lectures (target: 9), supporting 44 conference participations (target: 30), and submitting 15 EU project proposals (target: 5). These activities resulted in 7 new funded projects at ITI, extensive digital presence, and increased scientific attractiveness evidenced by growth in PhD students (from 1 to 4) and MSc students (from 2 to 14) working on Digital Civics. The project also contributed to the launch of a new doctoral program in Digital Media at Instituto Superior Técnico, industry partnerships through an executive training program, and the relocation to a new lab space in ULisbon’s Interdisciplinary Complex.
3) Contributions to the Smart Specialisation Strategy for the region of Lisbon
The DCitizens project also contributed to the Smart Specialisation Strategy for the Lisbon region through a series of community-led commissioned research projects (e.g., Balcão do Bairro and WearAccess). The project exceeded its target by implementing 5 commissioned collaborative projects (target: 3) alongside 10 roundtable discussions with local stakeholders (target: 3). Through its Commissioning Model, DCitizens successfully established a relational approach to research that positions citizens as co-creators rather than clients or consultants. The five collaborative projects addressed diverse community needs, from empowering marginalised communities through neighbourhood walk-in services to creating bespoke accessibility solutions for people with disabilities. These projects demonstrate how digital technologies can support social transformation by amplifying human capabilities and enabling citizens to actively shape research agendas. The project has institutionalised a new model of research at ITI, creating a sustainable framework for community-led innovation beyond the project’s duration.
Looking ahead: Democratisation of Research & Innovation
Unlike traditional research universities that primarily serve academic disciplines or respond to economic incentives, the proposed research paradigm was highly attuned to the aspirations and needs of communities. Rather than an academic-led agenda, we empowered local communities to set priorities and influence research efforts. We anchored ourselves in place, committing to long-term relationships with surrounding communities while maintaining rigorous scholarly standards. Moreover, we trained the next generation of technologists not merely for career success but for democratic citizenship, equipping individuals with both technical expertise and ethical frameworks for addressing societal challenges.
DCitizens built on participatory and action research approaches by deploying a Commissioning Model informed by community aspirations, needs, and assets. The model was grounded in the principles of relational ethics, specifically Feminist Care Ethics, which emphasises understanding, trust, relationships, interdependency, reciprocity, and solidarity. These were enacted through the proposed commissioning model, where Universities act as Participatory Platforms to serve their local communities through civic projects.
Looking forward and beyond the DCitizens timeline, the consortium plans to lead efforts in scaling the commissioning model to other research institutions. The Interactive Technologies Institute in Lisbon currently have the critical mass, facilities, network, results, and tools to expand such a community-led research model to other academics, NGOs, and governmental partners in the Lisbon region. In the long term, the consortium aims to establish a pan-European network of Civic Centres for Digital Innovation that utilise relational models of research to promote civic innovation. We intend to restructure power structures between universities and citizens, enabling local communities to systematically engage with digital innovation projects. We envision a future where technological development is driven by the collective forces and aspirations of citizens.
We thank our community partners and all the people who engaged with the project, from all the students who participated in our summer schools to governmental employees and NGO volunteers who engaged in the civic events in Lisbon. DCitizens wouldn’t be possible without all of you. Thank you all, we will keep in touch.