Surveys & Research - Ground-Level Environmental Data Collection
Surveys & Research is a vital data-driven initiative by Ecoparsec NGO. While our platforms like Ecomap and Zoomap aggregate spatial and environmental metrics, this project focuses on the human and social dimension of ecology. Through rigorous offline field surveys, community interviews, and ground-level sociological research, we gather raw data directly from residents across Armenia.
This research allows us to look beyond satellite images and sensors, helping us deeply understand public perception, systemic local environmental violations, and the real ecological challenges faced by urban and rural communities.
Key Research Focal Points
Our current and upcoming research campaigns are designed to address both general ecological metrics and highly targeted infrastructure questions across different regions of Armenia:
- Comparative Waste Sorting Analysis: We are conducting comparative studies between cities where separate waste collection infrastructure already exists and municipalities where it has not yet been introduced. This helps us map local barriers to recycling, evaluate public readiness, and identify infrastructure gaps.
- Attitudes Toward Composting: Organic waste makes up a significant portion of landfills. Our surveys gauge public openness, awareness, and willingness to adopt home or community composting solutions in both urban and rural settings.
- Civic Engagement & Eco-Volunteering: We study the public's relationship with eco-activism and volunteerism to understand what motivates citizens to participate in community cleanups and greening initiatives, as well as what barriers prevent them from getting involved.
- Environmental Enforcement & Fines: We collect public feedback on municipal environmental regulations, specifically examining how citizens perceive the severity and effectiveness of current fines for littering, illegal dumping, and other ecological violations.
Current Project Challenges: Infrastructure & Growth
To ensure our research is statistically valid and scientifically rigorous, we need to scale our operations. Currently, the Surveys & Research project is operating under restricted conditions. To unlock its full potential, we are actively looking to resolve three critical shortages:
1. Hardware & Field Equipment
Our volunteer teams operate directly in rural regions, streets, and community centers. We urgently need field hardware to transition from paper-based surveying to instant digital logging.
- Immediate needs: Tablets or smartphones for field researchers, portable power banks, and basic environmental field-testing kits.
2. Specialized Software
Processing large volumes of sociological and geographical data requires modern software infrastructure to ensure data security, accurate statistical processing, and seamless GIS mapping.
- Immediate needs: Licenses or pro-bono access to data analysis software, advanced surveying platforms (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK, or premium GIS modules), and data visualization tools.
3. Human Resources & Field Personnel
Data collection requires boots on the ground, and data processing requires analytical minds. We are facing a shortage of specialized team members to carry out widespread regional campaigns.
- Immediate needs: Field interviewers, regional coordinators across Armenia, data scientists, and research analysts.
How You Can Support This Project
We are actively seeking sponsors, institutional partners, and dedicated volunteers to turn this grassroots initiative into a powerful, national research engine.
- For Corporate Sponsors & Donors: You can sponsor a specific regional research campaign or directly fund the purchase of necessary hardware and software licenses. Your support will be credited in all published research reports and whitepapers.
- For Tech & Software Partners: If your company develops or distributes data analytics, surveying, or mapping software, providing pro-bono licenses to Ecoparsec NGO will directly empower citizen science in Armenia.
- For Volunteers (Local & Global): We need field interviewers on the ground in Armenia, as well as remote data analysts, statisticians, and report writers from anywhere in the world.
- Financial Contributions: You can support the project financially via the Donate module on our website. Every donation helps fund transport costs for field trips, print educational materials for interviewees, and upgrade field kits.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, software donations, or to join our research team, please contact us directly at [email protected].