Initiatives

Global challenges demand global co-operation. No single entity will be able to develop and implement the perfect solution to the world's greatest challenges. In line with this principle, a key aspect of our work is to gather diverse actors and assist collaborative efforts to: Explore new decision-making models that better address global catastrophic risks, paying particular attention to their effectiveness, fairness, and implementability. Offer original analysis and summarise existing knowledge in the field. Foster demand for change among institutions and the public.

In focus

Earth commission
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Earth commission

Earth commission website
International Crisis Group
ICG logotype

International Crisis Group

ICG website
Plataforma CIPÓ
CIPO logotype

Plataforma CIPÓ

CIPÓ website

Current collaborations

Previous collaborations

Our Funding Focus

The Global Challenges Foundation supports initiatives that advance systemic reform of global governance to better manage global catastrophic risks. By governance reform, we mean changes to global decision-making architecture, including institutions, rules, norms, and processes.

We fund projects that:

  • Operate at the international or global level
  • Demonstrate a pathway toward structural change in global governance
  • Identify target actors or institutions and explain how they will be influenced

and typically favour projects that:

  • Offer integrated approaches across sectors and risks
  • Bring together diverse actors and perspectives
  • Incorporate a clear science–policy ambition 

Our funding is available only to non-profit organisations.

We currently support projects within the following thematic areas:

  • A safe and just planet, including mitigating and adapting to climate change and halting biodiversity loss
  • Common security, including weapons governance, strengthening international law, and the international peace architecture
  • Reform of the multilateral system to make it more effective, inclusive, and capable of addressing global catastrophic risks. 
  • Governance of new and emerging risks, including AI.

We do not typically fund:

  • General awareness campaigns without a clear pathway to governance impact
  • Events or convenings without defined influence on decision-making
  • Research or publications without a strategy for policy or institutional uptake
  • Capacity-building efforts without a clear link to governance outcomes
  • Local and national projects without a clear pathway to global governance.
Contact us for more information
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