Abstract

The resolution of environmental problems and the minimization of environmental degradation is a major challenge. In this context, the role of civil society organizations is crucial in order to promote collaboration of several entities and also to enforce citizens’ participation. The present article aims to explore volunteerism in the context of Greek Environmental Non Governmental Organizations (ENGOs). In particular, civil society in Greece is characterized as weak and with low levels of volunteerism compared to other European countries. However in the past years an increase of volunteerism has been observed indicating a shift in civil society organizations. In the present article the results of a survey will be presented aiming on volunteers from 16 NGOs functioning in Greece. Through the survey several issues are investigated. regarding the social characteristics of Greek volunteers, means of participation and motivation and sources of information. Through the results of the study it is observed that although there is an increase of participation in the past years, a lack of information aiming on citizens’ motivation remains.