Bridging Policy and Grassroots Action With Technology: A Framework for Civic Engagement in Environmental Sustainability

ABSTRACT Grassroots and civic organizations are increasingly recognized as “middle actors” in sustainability, leveraging ICT‐driven solutions to bridge top‐down policies with bottom‐up citizen engagement and behavioral change. This study examines how civic organizations in Finland and Singapore integrate digital tools to support sustainable waste management practices aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, and 17. Guided by a Design Science Research (DSR) approach and drawing on Middle‐Out and multi‐level governance theories, we developed and validated the Integrated Sustainability Engagement Framework (ISEF) based on interviews with 21 civic organizations and iterative feedback. Findings highlight the central roles of policy translation, localized practices, digital engagement, behavioral reinforcement, and advocacy in civic‐led sustainability engagement. While civic organizations employ techno‐social tools to bridge regulatory gaps and promote actionable change, persistent economic, social, and regulatory constraints limit their reach. ICT‐enhanced engagement improves decision‐making and sustainability outcomes. ISEF provides a practical, theoretically grounded model for supporting multi‐level governance and accelerating sustainability transitions. The study recommends institutionalizing GCO roles through funding, digital infrastructure, and participatory mechanisms to strengthen civic capacity and create inclusive, adaptive pathways toward long‐term sustainability and impact.