Geneva Macro Labs initiated a new approach to foster sustainable innovation which was based on a combination of systems theory, collective intelligence, agile development and design thinking. The initiative, called Geneva impACTs, brought together a diverse group of experts, start-ups and investors to develop innovative projects, aiming to make inroads towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. It started at a time when COVID-19 measures made it impossible for groups to meet in person and so the entire process was conducted virtually using a range of online tools. A critical reflection shows the methodological strengths of the Geneva impACTs approach and identifies suggestions for improvement to be considered for future iterations. As an overall result, this new methodology is highly conducive to impact innovation.
International Geneva at a Crossroads: Unlocking Innovative Finance for a New Funding Reality
This paper builds on the discussions held at the WHO Innovation Hub EURÊKA in 2026, co-hosted by Geneva Macro Labs and drawing on the expertise of ge-ni, on how innovative finance can support International Geneva. Through practical examples from UNEP, UNICEF and Medair, it shows how catalytic and blended finance, pre-arranged financing and outcomes-based finance can unlock impact — and how Geneva can move from convening to building the market infrastructure that lets capital flow to where it is needed.
