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What criteria do you use to distinguish a promising idea from a project truly ready to be transformed?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ We are fond of "out of the box" ideas. Our expertise lies precisely in identifying viable business models behind proposals that fall outside classical frameworks. We require that the idea addresses root causes rather than symptoms. The Forum offers a highly dynamic process: whether an idea is still very early-stage or already advanced, we know how to transform it into an applicable prototype. Because the Geneva Forum is focused on action, on the concrete, on impact.
What minimum indicators do you require to assess the initial maturity of a project?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ Since 2025, we have relied on the five families of criteria of the AGILE tool published by the Geneva Foundation for the Future. It is both innovative, simple, and pragmatic. But above all, we look at the people: who is behind the idea, how much real time their organization can dedicate, and what level of commitment they bring.
How do you support idea holders in structuring their value proposition?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ An idea follows the dynamic journey of the Forum: it is challenged, half-day after half-day, by each of the 7 major leverage themes. These are interactive sessions: design thinking, crowd innovation, bootcamps, world cafés, experienced co-chairs. At the end of the week, the operational roundtable provides a clear roadmap. One year later, the same teams return with projects ready to scale.
What methods do you prioritize to evaluate the technical, social, and financial feasibility of an idea?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ Common sense, field experience, and the expertise of the professionals present. For example, an NGO testing a water access solution in Kenya may directly exchange with a Swiss industrial in filtration and an investor specialized in infrastructure. The mix of perspectives is our method.
What types of experts do you mobilize to challenge ideas?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ The Forum’s partners are numerous: foundations, incubators, European and global federations, citizen science networks, fab labs, investors, communication and business development agencies. Each idea benefits from multi-sectoral feedback.
What role does co-creation with stakeholders play in this transition from idea to project?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ A central role. The entire Forum is designed that way. Participants co-construct, from long-time attendees who know the process well to newcomers bringing fresh perspectives. This co-creation is what grounds projects in real-world reality.
How do you prevent ideas from remaining too theoretical?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ Each annual international conference frames its theme with a solution- and action-oriented statement. This ensures focus. For example, on Rights of Nature, we don’t discuss philosophical utopias but concrete cases of integration into constitutions or economic models.
What are the minimum alignment conditions for an idea to be considered an “impact project”?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ The idea must contribute to real changes in practices, fuel an economy that generates jobs and prosperity. But we know disruptive ideas often meet with “this is impossible.” The Forum is precisely the place where such ideas can be translated into concrete projects, enriched by the wealth of international partnerships.
What role does the Forum play in the international visibility of projects?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ The Forum acts as a global showcase: Palais des Nations, UN anchoring, participation of ambassadors, NGO leaders, and institutional investors. A project emerging here immediately benefits from international recognition and targeted funding opportunities.
What tools and methodologies do you integrate into this transformation process?
’’Thomas Egli:’’ The AGILE tool, of course, but also the logical framework, the business model canvas, due diligence, benchmarking, market studies. We also emphasize contradictory debate, which allows projects to move from draft to pre-project, to full project, up to fundraising or entrepreneurial launch.
Through its 7 thematic conferences, proven methodologies, and the richness of its networks, the Geneva Forum demonstrates that it is not only a place for debate but a true propeller of impact projects. For high-level leaders, it is where breakthrough ideas become concrete, credible, funded, and visible projects. In short, a valuable tool to accomplish the strategic missions their organizations expect of them.