Can Geneva Help Shape the Future of Global Cooperation?
Over the past weeks, as I’ve reconnected with Geneva, I’ve had a steady stream of conversations—with policy leaders at the UN, philanthropic leaders, sustainability heads in corporations, impact investors, academics, and the many ecosystem builders who keep Geneva’s networks alive.
And across these conversations, I hear a recurring theme: global cooperation is shifting—how can we make Geneva a hub for the future of international cooperation?
With major powers retreating from global leadership, most visibly the United States, international institutions feel increasingly constrained just as the world’s most complex challenges accelerate: climate disruption, biodiversity loss, democratic erosion, and rapid technological change.
Yet amid this global turbulence, Geneva’s ecosystem—while it currently experiences the negative impacts of this retreat—also feels ready for something different. This city—small, dense, globally connected—could become one of the places where the future of cooperation is reimagined.
This is the question animating this post: Can Geneva step forward as a home for the next chapter of global collaboration?
Not by replicating the past, but by extending its DNA into the transitions shaping the next 20 years.
A Unique Ecosystem—Deep Roots, Growing Branches
Geneva’s history as a global hub is well known: the ICRC, the Geneva Conventions, the League of Nations, and today one of the world’s three main UN centers. But the scale and density of today’s ecosystem are striking:
Over 1,300 public-benefit foundations in the canton of Geneva alone.
More than 700 NGOs and international nonprofit organizations, including the world’s largest concentration of global governance institutions.
35+ international organizations and 180+ diplomatic missions.
A cross-border region of over one million people, anchored by multiple universities, research institutes, and an expanding innovation economy.
This density creates the conditions for a new kind of cooperation—one that moves beyond traditional silos.
Where New Energy Is Emerging
Across climate action, democracy and rights, philanthropy, science, and economic innovation, a wide set of Geneva- and Geneva-region–based initiatives are beginning to form a more interconnected landscape.
1. Climate & Ecological Transformation
This is perhaps where Geneva’s momentum is strongest—and most urgently needed.
Geneva Environment Network (GEN): a network of 100+ organizations working on climate, biodiversity, chemicals, and environmental governance.
Building Bridges: an increasingly influential global platform that brings together finance, policymakers, civil society, and philanthropy to accelerate the sustainability transition.
WWF International: headquartered in Gland, playing a major role in global biodiversity, climate policy, and conservation finance.
Earthworm Foundation (Nyon): pioneering regenerative agriculture, forest restoration, and responsible supply chains.
MAVA Foundation (until its strategic closure) and the Oak Foundation: two of the most influential environmental and social foundations in Europe, both historically anchored in the region.
Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI): building stronger pathways between cutting-edge research and international decision-making—critical for climate governance.
EPFL (Lausanne): one of Europe’s top science and engineering universities, with major research centers on climate tech, sustainable materials, energy systems, and digital innovation.
Together, these actors point toward the possibility of a Geneva-based hub connecting climate science, policy, finance, philanthropy, and on-the-ground solutions.
2. Democracy, Rights & Governance in the Digital Age
In discussions with UN leaders, academics, and civil society organizations, I heard a shared concern: democratic backsliding and digital disruption require new forms of governance.
Geneva is beginning to respond:
The Geneva Human Rights Platform: fostering dialogue across institutions and civil society.
The Graduate Institute (IHEID): producing influential research on governance, peacebuilding, security, and global policy.
UNIGE’s interdisciplinary centers—including the Geneva Centre for Philanthropy—link research with governance, law, social innovation, and philanthropy.
Numerous NGOs and think tanks working on digital governance, AI ethics, media integrity, and civic space.
This is a space where Geneva could lead globally—if it intentionally builds the right platforms.
3. Regenerative & Inclusive Economic Thinking
While Zürich is the country’s financial powerhouse, Geneva’s niche is becoming clear: connecting finance with purpose.
Building Bridges plays a central role, increasingly attracting global attention.
Philanthropy advisory groups like WISE, Philanthropy Advisors, and Impact Hub Geneva support donors, social enterprises, and ecosystems aimed at systemic change.
EPFL’s Innovation Park and UNIGE entrepreneurship programs help incubate social and environmental ventures with global relevance.
Foundations such as Oak and others in the region are investing in systemic transitions—climate, justice, rights, and livelihoods.
These building blocks hint at the emergence of a regenerative, impact-oriented economic ecosystem along the Geneva–Lausanne arc.
What Would It Take for Geneva to Fully Step Into This Role?
This question surfaced repeatedly in my conversations. The ingredients are here. The history is here. The legitimacy is here. The emerging initiatives are vibrant and complementary.
But turning potential into purpose requires intention.
Could Geneva position itself as a laboratory for the future of global cooperation—where climate, democracy, human rights, science, and regenerative economics come together?
If so:
What platforms would we need to build?
What alliances could bridge philanthropy, policy, science, finance, and community leadership?
How do we elevate emerging actors with new ideas?
Where are the most promising starting points?
These are the questions I’m eager to explore next.
And I would welcome your ideas, critiques, and perspectives—because Geneva’s next chapter will depend on collective imagination and collective will.