The meeting brought together participants from municipalities such as Betxí, Vilafranca, el Tormo, Cirat, Eslida, Forcall, Almedíxer, Benassal, Cinctorres, Altura, the region of l’Alcalatén, and Castellón itself, through the PEU-UJI project.
The Vice-Rector for Culture, Social Commitment, and Equality, Raquel Agost, highlighted that the Network has become a "stable ecosystem for innovation" and emphasized the cooperation that makes the initiative possible, calling it a "benchmark even beyond our country".
The event also featured the participation of Albert López, director of SASC and PEU coordinator, and Marcos García, coordinator of the PEU-UJI Citizen Laboratories Network of Castellón. García noted the project's growth, from seven initiatives in 2025 to 12 in 2026, and highlighted its inclusive and open nature, allowing for new proposals to join.
The protagonists were the participants of the 12 laboratories, this year also integrated into the Iberian Network of Community Culture Laboratories (RILCC), which groups over 30 citizen laboratories from Spain and Portugal. Albert López reminded them that "you are the ones who give meaning to the project".
One of the main conclusions was the strengthening of the neighborhood network in each town and the improved connection between the different laboratories thanks to the initiatives developed.
The 2026 projects include "VISC! Lab" in Betxí, the "Gerialdea" in el Tormo, "DescansLab" in Vilafranca, "Sonoscopi" in the region of l’Alcalatén, "Entreterres" by PEU-UJI, "Forcall Viu" in Forcall, initiatives in Almedíxer, "Suberlab" in Eslida, "Laboratori ciutadà Casa Grande" in Altura, a laboratory on Farm Schools in Benassal, "Mapa sensible de senders naturals" in Cinctorres, and the recovery of traditional crops in Cirat.
The afternoon session included a working space for new laboratories and a presentation by Teresa de Jesús Negrete Arteaga and Dulce María Vargas Paredes, from the National Pedagogical University of Mexico.
The strategic PEU-UJI project began in 2025 with seven citizen science processes and has grown to 12 initiatives in 2026, promoting participation, collaboration, and cultural innovation at the local level.
