Our research hypothesis is that modern IT and on-line tools (such as social networks, community platforms, gamification, games, apps, etc.) can allow more effective and efficient engagement of youth and communities. These tools can encourage people to support certain causes, such as nature conservation and sustainable development. This is driven mainly by the fact that Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are technologically savvy and are used to be surrounded by IT, so that they work with multiple devices and IT tools on a daily basis.

At the same time, many environmental organizations and green startups worldwide have already understood that and are now using IT and on-line tools to support their civil society engagement efforts within environmental campaigns, projects, and other initiatives. It is also assumed that there are organizations and startups, who have pioneered innovative approaches to using IT tools in civil society engagement into nature conservation and therefore have good case practices to share.

Overall, this research seeks to test our hypothesis through on-line surveys and interviews with various environmental organizations and startups. It also includes literature review and documentation of best practices to support our research.