Become an Investigator
Use your investigative skills to make a real-world impact and assist NGOs and other non-profit organisations in their environmental investigations. OSINT investigators of all skill levels and experience are welcomed. Sign up today to get notified of up-coming cases and challenges.
Make an Impact
Environmental crimes often go unnoticed or unpunished due to a lack of actionable intelligence. By volunteering, you’ll be applying your investigative skills to uncover hidden activities such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, or pollution that threatens biodiversity and communities. The intelligence you gather will be used by NGOs, journalists, and environmental advocates to take meaningful action, whether through advocacy, legal processes, or policy change.
Real-World Cases
Our platform provides you with access to real-time, real-world cases. Whether it's monitoring deforestation via satellite imagery, tracking wildlife trafficking networks online, or verifying corporate sustainability claims, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into impactful investigations. Cases come in two formats: time-bound challenges or ongoing investigations that you can review and contribute to at your convenience. Every case you work on makes a difference in the fight against environmental crime.
Develop OSINT Skills
Volunteering with us is not only about making an impact—it’s also about learning and growth. You’ll have access to cutting-edge tools and techniques, from geospatial analysis and satellite monitoring to social media investigations and data analysis. This experience will allow you to hone your OSINT expertise in practical, high-stakes scenarios while collaborating with a global network of like-minded professionals.
Build Your Portfolio
For volunteers, our platform offers opportunities to gain recognition for your efforts. Not only will you be making a positive contribution to the environment, but you’ll also be able to showcase your work, whether that’s through published reports, case studies, or contributions to investigative outcomes. This can bolster your professional portfolio, opening doors for future opportunities in OSINT, journalism, or environmental work.
Join As An Investigator
Beta-Test
We’re inviting intermediate-level OSINT investigators to participate in our beta-test challenge! Beta-testing will take place in late-2024/early-2025
Future Challenges
Future challenges and cases will welcome investigators of all experience levels. Use the button below to get notified of up-coming events and cases
FAQs For Investigators
What types of cases will there be?
OSINT techniques are useful for a whole range of environmental cases. Our focus is on exposing environmental illegality, violations of sustainability standards/commitments, corruption, fraud and hypocrisy.
We initially aim to provide cases relating to illegal deforestation, wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, and pollution. In the longer-term, we intend to conduct investigations which expose corruption and profiteering and links to organised crime. Our focus is directed by our partner organisations with whom we design cases and challenges.
What format will the cases be in?
Investigators will be able to work on two different-types of cases:
OSINT Challenges are online, weekend-long event for volunteers, data enthusiasts, and open-source intelligence experts to tackle environmental crimes together. The operate similar to a hackerthon and are guided by experienced OSINT investigators and subject-matter experts.
On-going Cases: are on-going lists of leads and tip-offs provided by our network. To avoid tipping-off the subjects of investigations, some cases will be available only to those who have participated in a challenge event
What skills and experience do I need?
We are open to all investigators with experience in open-source research, data analysis, and digital investigations. Geolocation, network analysis, trade investigations, corporate document analysis, legal research, and geo-spatial remote sensing are especially useful. We hope to eventually run training events and provide training resources for beginners.
For the beta-test challenge, investigators should have intermediate-level skills in online investigative techniques. You do not need to be an expert, but some basic OSINT skills are required and investigators should have had experience using OSINT for real-life cases. If you are unsure if you have the necessary skills, we suggest signing-up anyway, more details and a survey of investigator skills and experiences will be sent to potential participants.
What if I don’t know much about the topic or issue?
No problem! That's why we are here! We provide support from subject matter experts and liaise with NGOs and field specialists to guide investigations and build relevant knowledge.
Will I get paid for my work?
No, all our challenges and cases conducted in collaboration will be run on a volunteer basis. We are considering offering paid-for cases in the future as part of out long-term plan
Are investigators vetted?
Currently, we do not require vetting to participate. However, as more sensitive cases may arise in the future, we may implement a vetting process for some cases. We also request that government and law enforcement personnel do not actively participate, although all investigation results are made publicly accessible.
Can I participate pseudo-anonymously?
Yes, you are welcome to participate using a pseudonym if preferred.
Are there any rules or ethical guidelines?
Yes, we follow standard OSINT ethical guidelines, which strictly prohibit hacking or any illegal activities. Investigations must solely open-source information gathering, absolutely no hacking or other illegal methods are permitted. Detailed ethical guidelines and a code of conduct will be provided prior to enrolling.
Can I make a suggestion?
Yes, please do! We are looking for input from potential investigators as to the types of cases, resources, training etc. that they would like to see. Please use the contact form to get in touch.
Can I get more involved?
Yes! We are actively recruiting committed individuals to help develop the project further. Please see our opportunities page for more information.