Workshop: Blended REsearch on Air pollution using TecHnical and Educational solutions workshop

Air pollution is a significant environmental and health risk, contributing to approximately 500,000 premature deaths annually in Europe alone, according to the European Environment Agency. It is a critical issue in highly industrialized regions and areas like North Macedonia, where air quality frequently exceeds safe limits. In response to this growing threat, the CleanBREATHE project has developed a comprehensive solution to make air pollution more visible and actionable through mobile crowdsensing, advanced prediction algorithms, and public engagement.

This workshop will highlight the innovative strategies developed by the highly successful CleanBREATHE project, which has not only raised awareness of air pollution in both Macedonia and Germany but also made significant strides in combating it. Participants will learn how citizen involvement has been key in gathering air quality data using low-cost sensors, promoting behavioral change, and increasing public understanding of the health impacts of pollution. This approach has been supported by a network of partners, including local authorities, schools, and environmental NGOs, who have helped bring these solutions to the public through interactive workshops and media engagement.

The workshop will also cover technical advancements, including developing convolutional neural networks (CNN) to predict air pollution levels and how the expanded sensor network provides granular real-time data. The newly developed mobile app, designed with a user-friendly interface, integrates these technical solutions to offer a commercial service that empowers users to monitor air quality in their environment and take informed actions to mitigate risks. Participants will also get hands-on experience with the app, sensor kits, visualization tools, and insights into the CleanBREATHE business model, all shaped by real-world testing and feedback from over 150 citizens and students.

Attendees will also hear about the project’s educational outreach, including workshops held for schools and university students and its impact on raising public awareness. By fostering a deeper understanding of air pollution’s effects and engaging citizens in monitoring and mitigating, CleanBREATHE demonstrates how blended research combining technological innovation and educational initiatives can lead to sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Join us to explore how you can contribute to this dynamic effort to combat air pollution. We offer practical tools, educational frameworks, and cutting-edge technology that empower you to monitor air quality in your environment and take informed actions to mitigate risks. Together, we can make a difference.

 

– Mila Dodevska, UKIM Skopje

– Petre Lameski, UKIM Skopje

– Vladimir Trajkovik, UKIM Skopje

– Michael A. Herzog, Magdeburg-Stendal University, Germany

 

Project Website: cleanBREATHE.eu