Global Governance Innovation Platform

The Global Governance Innovation Platform is a multi-year initiative to help United Nations Member States design new multilateral mechanisms that can help address pressing global challenges. This initiative identifies, explores and visualizes innovative governance practices that can serve as templates for new multilateral institutions and platforms or inspire reforms to existing ones. 

The project asks and answers the question: "What can be borrowed, replicated or scaled from existing governance models to address complex transnational challenges?" 

Specifically, the project sets out to: 

• Analyse past and present innovations in global governance. 
• Identify innovative institutions and governance mechanisms that support collective action.
• Explore innovative governance models at both the global (supranational) and local (subnational) levels. 
• Spotlight influential analogs that have shaped or could shape institutional design. 
• Apply past innovations in modelling solutions to complex, global challenges. 
• Increase the supply of governance analogs to broaden options for policymakers and experts.

The initiative’s efforts to examine how institutions have facilitated and sustained collaboration and collective action will help identify best practices for rebuilding trust and motivating different actors to invest in global solutions. Why governance innovations are needed at this critical time and how we can innovate for the future was the main topic of conversation at the project's inception workshop in London (see video below).

Additional benefits for the multilateral system include stronger transmission channels for governance innovations, a more diverse pool of approaches, enhanced cross-constituency dialogue, and support for innovators and capacity-constrained States.

The centrepiece of the initiative is a dynamic digital platform featuring data visualizations, case studies and historical analysis—designed to help Member States and stakeholders navigate complex governance trade-offs.

In partnership with the UN System Staff College, a targeted training programme will also prepare future diplomats and policymakers to craft effective multilateral mechanisms. Workshops and convenings will test insights and refine institutional design concepts.

By centralizing and democratizing access to this knowledge, the Global Governance Innovation Platform will build trust, foster understanding and provide Member States with a practical toolbox for reforming multilateral institutions.