48 Encourage use of open-data standards and open-source software. Consider support from third parties and organisations to assist with any technology issues, and to keep things running smoothly while sensing is ongoing. Provide participants with take-home manuals, booklets, guides, and troubleshoot instructions. Experience has revealed that problematic sensors often get left abandoned, and people may disengage when the technology fails. Partner with local community representatives and ask for their help (e.g., with training participants), sharing experiences, and coordinating local action. For example, match participants with environmental interests and those with technical skills. The UrbanAirQ pilot 18 19 20 21 Example 9: The UrbanAirQ pilot The Making Sense project (2015-2017) explored how local communities can effectively use open-source software and hardware, digital maker practices and open design to produce their own sensors. In thepilot UrbanAirQ in Amsterdam, citizen scientists decided what they wanted to measure and why. In this case, they chose NO₂ as an indicator of air quality. The participants raised diverse questions and concerns about air pollution which helped design the approach of the pilot itself. See the full project