New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Initiative category

Identify the award category for which this initiative is being submitted
Reconnecting with nature

Email user
a.hudeca@gmail.com

Basic information
Initiative title
Dusts Catcher KIT

Full initiative Title
nature-culture learning toolkit to render human impact upon the environment

Please provide a short, catchy description of your initiative to be used in communication towards the public.
Dusts Catcher Kits are an experimental deployable and fully-recyclable learning instrument that are designed to visually inform communities what kind of dusts, if any, is dominant in the air we breathe. Dusts Institute proposes dusts collecting workshops employing Dusts Catcher Kit; outdoor educational gathering to collect, analyse and sensitise toward invisible air-borne dusts in the air we breathe with the aim to raise awareness about particulate matter and empower local communities.

What was the geographical scope of your intiative?
Cross-border/international

Where was your intiative implemented?
Location 1
Austria

Location 2
Slovakia
Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries
- Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Germany
- Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Czechia
- Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Malta
If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
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Does your initiative address mainly urban or rural issues?
It addresses urban-rural linkages

Does your initiative refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

Has your initiative benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
No

Has your initiative won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Does your initiative has a minimum level of maturity? The minimum level of maturity is exemplified by stakeholder/ initiative promoter commitment to implement the initiative in practice and a clear methodology /approach.
Yes

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organisation
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project)
- Name of the organisation(s): Dusts Institute
  Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation
  First name of representative: Adam
  Last name of representative: Hudec
  Gender: Male
  Nationality: Slovenia
  Function: Founder
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Florianigasse 5A
  Town: Vienna
  Postal code: 1080
  Country: Austria
  Direct Tel: +43 681 10599136
  E-mail: a.hudeca@gmail.com
  Website: https://dustsinstitute.org/
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/dusts.institute/
In case my initiative is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my initiative in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
New European Bauhaus or European Commission websites

Description of the initiative
Please provide a summary of your initiative
Addressing air pollution, which is the second highest risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, is key to protecting public health as a recent pandemic showed. Therefore, Dusts Institute's commitment is to raise awareness about this issue, with the aim of addressing ecological challenges that are the components of a single crisis, which is a crisis of perception. Airborne residues in charge of almost 6 million deaths a year are imperceptible to human senses; it is unlikely we do see or feel higher airborne dusts concentration in the air we breathe. However, without the existence of airborne dusts particles our complex ecosystems become extinct: airborne dusts work as a carrier of many nutrients (minerals) and biological materials (pollen) that are a vital part of the environment. How one could distinguish between airborne dusts that provides benefits and the one that causes human/non-human suffering? In what ways we should learn about complexities of our airly-ecosystems and how do we become aware about processes that are hidden to our perception? Dusts Catcher Kits are an experimental deployable and fully-recyclable learning instrument that are designed to visually inform communities what kind of dusts, if any, is dominant in the air we breathe. Dusts Institute proposes dusts collecting workshops employing Dusts Catcher Kit; outdoor (Do It Together) practice to collect invisible air-borne dusts from the environment. Together with nanofiber company Respion, Dusts Institute has developed a device that can successfully transform invisible, airborne dusts into tangible, aesthetic and artistic objects. Dusts Catchers were inspired by the scientific method of ambient air sampling where pollutants carried by air are captured on special nanofabric and analysed later to determine the amount and composition of air-borne pollutants.

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with 5 key words.
airborne dusts

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
perception

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
public engagement

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
citizen science

Please indicate the main themes of your initiative with key words
air pollution

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of sustainability and how these have been/will be met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
The climate has changed, is changing and will change. But what is going on nowadays? For the first time in the history of the planet Earth, humans are disrupting the climate on a global scale and, in the long term, put their own lives as well as the entire ecosystem under threat. And unlike previous climate change, current anthropogenic atmospheric alteration is unprecedentedly fast. It is caused by changing the chemical composition of the earth’s atmosphere due to burning of fossil fuels. However, residues in charge of raising global temperature are imperceptible to human senses; we can not see or feel higher concentrations of CO2, NO2 or human-made particulate matter in the air. Dusts Catcher Kit successfully translates the ‘invisibility’ of a climate change by collecting not only anthropogenic residues like black carbon or fly ash. Dusts collection walks employing Dusts Catcher Kits as knowledge instruments are designed to educate young people about issues related to quality of air we breathe, complexities of ecosystems and how human activities disrupt the entire climate on a global scale. By raising awareness through experiential learning methods that are based on collecting omnipresent, yet invisible by-products of our daily activities and private lifestyle in public spaces around European cities, we aim to construct new meaningful and engaging knowledge making based on empirical experience with climate change, its implications to human body and the environment.

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
In the past two decades especially, contemporary research movements have given specific focus to the deconstruction of anthropocentric models of knowledge to as archives of human’s altering of the earth’s material systems and flows. But what one can learn by looking at airborne dusts from an aesthetic point of you? Airborne dusts in particular has the ability to visually affect the air we breathe. This specific attribute of Airborne dusts is used as a key aesthetic approach in Dusts Catcher Kits. Based on the colour collected on the nanofabric of Dusts Catcher, one could identify what kind of particular matter is dominant in the air we breathe. By experimenting with knowledge production about the environment and materialising otherwise invisible elements in the air, we can start to understand the consequences of human impact upon the environment. Instead of reading abstract data represented in numbers, Dusts Catchers Kit directly employs human senses and the personal experience with almost imperceptible matter - particles of dusts in the air. This way, aesthetics of airborne dusts is used as a powerful tool to transform young communities and attune their own thinking towards the environment.

Please give information about the key objectives of your initiative in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the initiative can be exemplary in this context.
We know that we have to fundamentally change our life in order to survive on this planet. However, there is a gap between knowledge we have and action we need to take as a society. In Dusts Institute, we aim to bridge the gap with our practice and Dusts Catchers Kit that make visible the interconnectedness of our lifestyle and the environment. By creating experiential learning tools that are available to everyone regarding their location, age or gender, Dusts Catcher Kits aims to raise awareness about a particular atmospheric phenomenon - airborne dusts. Learning about the environmental processes with an instrument - Dusts Catcher Kit - that is equipped with hi-tech nanofibre not only provides straightforward and easy to understand interpretation of complex processes, but it brings hi-tech technology in the format of nanofiber directly to the low income communities usually mostly hit by air pollution that are our long-term target group. By sending Dusts Catcher Kits to viennese communities that suffer the most from bad air quality, the Dusts Catcher Kits became an instrument to empower people to fight for their rights to breathe clean air.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the initiative and civil society have been/will be involved in the initiative and what has been/will be the impact of this involvement on the initiative
The aim of the Dust Catcher Kit project is to educate and learn communities to find out what kind of air they breathe. The implication of such a knowledge leads to environmental awareness and a better understanding of implication of human impact upon the environment. By engaging participants as active ‘citizen’ scientists, we align with Caren Cooper’s analysis of the citizen as: ‘those with {the} rights and responsibilities to participate in some larger collective and citizen scientists are thus people exercising their rights and responsibilities to participate in collective scientific endeavours.’ Merging artistic and citizen science practice, Dusts Catcher Kits operate in the format of interactive educational public engagements throughout the project where learning collective and in public spaces is foundational and at the core of endeavour.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the initiative.
The multidisciplinary learning and design method employed by Dusts Institute in development of Dusts Catcher KIT were engaged with the University of Technology in Vienna, design team of Dusts Institute (multidisciplinary research platform based in Vienna) and nanofabric company Respilon, based in Brno, Czech republic. While the scientific body of University of Technology provided the basic knowledge about visual qualities of different types of dusts particles, designers at Dusts Institute transformed this knowledge through artistic representation to create an instrument that is able to collect and materialise what kind of dusts do we breathe in the air. Respilon provided the project with nano-fabric textiles that works like a medium for dusts collection and translate the knowledge about the environment to the audience.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your initiative. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was
The interdisciplinary team behind development of Dusts Catchers Kit consisted of atmospheric scientist from TU Vienna, architect and designer from Dusts Institute, art mediator and material experts from company Respilon. While atmospheric scientists provided the project with factual knowledge about air pollution and how to collect dusts particles from the air, the team of Dusts Institute transformed scientific knowledge in artistic representation and designed the Dusts Catcher Kit. Art mediator created a dramaturgy for public engagement with Dusts Catchers Kits. Material experts from Respilon supported the team with knowledge about nanofibres.

Please highlight the innovative character of the initiative, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the initiative
Most of what has been produced in regards of public education in air quality has aligned with recurring attention to represent particles in the air in precise and scientific way while employing sensors, counting number of particles in the specific amount of air with laser beam. This method, thus is represented by data only in the format of abstract number and not providing satisfactory results when it comes to raising awareness among general public. Dusts Catcher Kits, contrary, operate with materialisation of these data, with particulate matter as a real material that is able to represent itself, not through sensors or other electronic devices. The innovation lies in different methodology of measuring and identifying dusts particles, not based on visual counting of invisible particles within certain amount of air, but rather on its physical properties captured on high-tech nanofabric. Additionally, Dust Catchers Kits are equipped with an identification tool, where the participants are able to imagine what kind of particulate matter was collected on nanofabrics. Public engagement program, educate the participants about sources and implication of collected airborne dusts particles to human health and the environment. Moreover, commercial air pollution sensor monitor only number and size of airborne particles, while Dusts Catcher Kits are focused on distinguishing among different dusts particles and they role within local and global ecosystem. Not all particulate matter is harmful is a risk to human health and thus must not be subject of removal.

Please describe which elements of your initiative could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and contexts. This may involve, for example, aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings, etc.
The project Dusts Catcher Kit transforms an almost invisible phenomenon that is present globally and calls for international action to change our perception of the air we breathe. Invented methodology of sensitising the public through public learning workshops and educational events might be implemented on global scale since the tutorial of the learning workshops are available in open-source format and Dust Catcher Kits can be ordered online and delivered anywhere in the world.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your initiative.
The methodology employed by Dusts Catcher Kits is based on sensitings the public about an almost imperceptible phenomenon in the air we breathe - airborne dusts. Interdisciplinary approach of the project reimagines social, cultural and environmental aspects of air-borne dusts. Dusts Institute proposes dusts collecting workshops; outdoor educational gathering to collect, analyse and sensitise toward invisible air-borne dusts in the air we breathe with the aim to raise awareness about particulate matter and empower local communities to fight for a basic human right - to have the opportunity to breathe cleaner air. Dusts Catcher Kits can be delivered directly to the communities via post or in person. By unfolding the Dusts Catcher from a kit, placing it in the proper outdoor collection place based on instruction available within the kit, nanofabric in the Dusts Catcher changes its colour from white to gradients representing the airborne dusts types over the period of one day. During the public engagements that lasts around 90 minutes in group of 10-15 people, we analyse together collected samples in different collection stations selected by the workshop leader. Each station is dedicated to different kinds of dusts (black carbon, fly ash, pollen, mineral dusts) and the participants engage inclusively in exercises that sensitise their own senses toward different types of dusts. After each station, there is a discussion held with participants to answer their questions, reflect the feelings or impressions.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the initiative addresses by providing local solutions
Air pollution has dramatic consequences on human health globally. According to WHO, more than 6 million people prematurely die by exposure to toxic levels of particulate matter in the air. However, air pollution is almost an imperceptible phenomenon that can be interpreted by data only. Dusts Catcher Kit educates and raises awareness among the public what airborne dust is, what implication the air pollution has for human health and the environment. Thus, air pollution is part of the earthly ecosystem ever since dust particles serve different important roles within the ecosystems that the public is educated about.

Please detail the scope of progress in the implementation of the initiative. This can include already demonstrated results/outputs related to the chosen Prizes category, and the already achieved benefits from the initiative for direct and indirect beneficiaries. This can also include a development plan of the initiative, with a particular attention to the steps envisaged in the year following the application, and including envisaged results and benefits from the initiative
The number of participants reached in person: 2978,
The number of participants reached online: 1282
The number of participants reached in total: 4260
The number of Dusts Catchers Kits printed: 5000

Please provide documents that demonstrate the maturity level of the initiative and commitment to implement the initiative in practice (e.g.: evaluation report, final or mid-term initiative report, certification, publications, building permit, grant agreement, letter of support, partnership agreement, etc.)
PDF
PDF
- pdf-1-25147.pdf
If relevant, please describe how your initiative contributes to developing new competences, especially in the context of the European competence framework on sustainability.
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Please attach at least 6 high resolution images or visual representations of your initiative to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below.
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By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed initiative has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the initiative and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their initiatives, initiative, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted initiative, initiative is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes