⏱ 1 min 30 read
Background
The funding crisis is weighing on multilateralism and on International Geneva. Geneva brings together international organisations, NGOs, foundations, universities, companies and financial institutions. According to Thomas Egli, founder and CEO of the Geneva Forum, these players still too often work side by side rather than together.
The key points
In an op-ed published by Geneva Solutions on 5 November 2026, Thomas Egli proposes a collective response. In his view, the answer lies less in new money than in better connecting the skills and capital already present.
From 22 to 24 June 2026, the Geneva Forum and the Mobilière Forum brought together players such as CERN, UNCTAD, Swiss Banking and the University of Geneva. A consultation gathered 165 contributions. The idea of “Geneva, The Impact Capital” emerged from it.
The concept does not create a new institution. It offers tools: a map of players, an overview of projects, a meeting point for project leaders and funders, and living labs. The aim is to finance more projects, not just organisations.
Key figures
- 165 : contributions gathered during the consultation
- 86 : Geneva players already mapped
- Around 100 : people attending the presentation of the concept on 25 June
What it means for businesses
- Financial centre : it brings an understanding of what makes a project investable, according to the author.
- Geneva companies and service providers : when international activity shrinks, they lose a market for their expertise, according to Thomas Egli.
Analysis
- According to Thomas Egli : one question remains open — how the financial sector can contribute without influencing the organisations' missions.
What's next
- Results to be presented at the Geneva Forum, from 7 to 11 December 2026, at the Palais des Nations.
