The Beyond Lab is the collaborative space at the United Nations in Geneva where people and organizations come together to creatively shape a more sustainable future.
Initiated by the United Nations in Geneva and the Government of Switzerland (i.e. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) in partnership with Civil Society (i.e. the International Institute for Sustainable Development IISD), we embody a new, collaborative model of multilateral engagement.
That means we don’t just talk about cooperation, we practice it every day, by working side by side with governments, youth, researchers and academia, NGOs, international organizations, the private sector and other innovators.
We are a trusted, evolving and creative space where new ideas are tested, honest conversations happen, and diverse voices are heard, across sectors, generations, and disciplines. Everything we do is about helping the world move toward real, long-term and regenerative sustainability.
Inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we look ahead and ask: What comes next for global development after 2030? To answer that, we focus on four big areas of systemic change:
At the heart of it all is a simple but powerful goal:
To bring alternative and new ways of relating and thinking — the “Beyonds” — into the center of how policy and decisions are made.
We believe in a future where both people and the planet can thrive — not just today, but for generations to come.
Our vision is simple but bold:
A sustainable world where current and future generations flourish, together, and in solidarity. A world where we don't only sustain, but regenerate.
Creating long-term change means shifting how we think, how we measure progress, and how we make decisions. That’s why we put intergenerational equity and planetary well-being at the heart of everything we do.
Sustainable development must go beyond fixing problems, it should be regenerative. That means restoring what has been harmed, building what’s missing, and imagining new ways of living that are fairer, healthier, and more connected.
Today’s biggest challenges, from climate change to inequality, are deeply intertwined. They won’t be solved by quick fixes or working in silos. They require collective action, imagination and honest reflection, and the courage to question and go beyond the status quo.
We see ourselves as part of a growing global movement calling for a paradigm shift, one that balances short-term with long-term thinking and promotes a values based approach to development where the well-being of people and planet is placed at the centre, and not as an afterthought.
At the Beyond Lab, we have five core values, our ‘5Cs’. They are the bridge between who we are and what we do: they ensure our work and our transformative impact are of the highest quality and integrity.
Our vision is rooted in a deep sense of care for people and planet. This means valuing inclusion and diversity. We care that our activities reflect the plurality of humanity and the planet.
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We foster creative thinking to develop new perspectives, approaches, solutions, and partnerships. Our creativity drives us to break boundaries and introduce fresh ideas that pave the way for long-term sustainability.
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Our quest is fueled by curiosity. We explore uncharted paths, eager to better comprehend the complexity of the systems which bind us.
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We embrace regeneration. Rather than simply focusing on sustaining or maintaining systems, we focus on restoring, renewing, and revitalizing as a framework. To do so, we approach our work with circularity in mind.
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We believe in the power of collaborative engagement and partnerships to amplify impact as well as better understand it. By pooling collective intelligence, we help unlock approaches and solutions that harness the strength of being united in addressing complex challenges.
