The project Enhancing Lower Austria’s Rural Industrial Heritage – New Approaches Through Citizen Science (2025–2028), funded by the FTI programme of Lower Austria, aims to investigate and digitally document the region’s rural industrial heritage while strengthening public awareness of its cultural significance. It considers economic, political, and social transformations as well as heritage conservation perspectives. Methodologically, the project develops and evaluates participatory approaches together with Citizen Scientists – volunteer museum staff, former industrial workers, Topotheque content contributors, local historians, and interested citizens. Building on existing local heritage initiatives, the project advances collaborative knowledge production and formulates criteria for assessing rural industrial heritage.