At a time of overlapping global challenges — from climate change and geopolitical tensions to economic uncertainty and social fragmentation — the ability to imagine positive, inclusive and regenerative futures is more important than ever.
Against this backdrop, the Beyond Lab at the United Nations Office at Geneva will host The Beyonds Festival 2026, taking place from 5 to 7 October 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The Festival marks the culmination of the Beyonds Challenge, a global initiative designed to spark intergenerational and cross-cultural conversations about sustainable development beyond 2030. The Challenge has received hundreds of submissions from more than 90 countries and territories, bringing together ideas and perspectives from young people, policymakers, artists, researchers, civil society, philanthropy, international organizations and the private sector.
Over three days, the Beyonds Festival will bring the winners and selected projects of the Challenge together with diverse voices from around the world. Through dialogues, exhibitions, workshops and creative exchanges, participants will explore emerging narratives and practical pathways for sustainable development beyond 2030.
The Beyonds Festival is made possible through the contributions and support of partners and supporters across the design and development of the initiative, advocacy and outreach, the judging process, and its final implementation, including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, OneXplore, the United Nations Youth Office, the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation (BCAF), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Another Narrative, and many more.
The Beyonds Festival is more than a conversation about the future. It is an invitation to collectively imagine, explore and help shape what comes next.
Further details on the programme, speakers and selected Beyonds Challenge projects will be announced soon.