Our Bigger Picture

Collaboratio helvetica was founded in early 2017, with the vision to catalyse systems change towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Switzerland. At the core of collaboratio helvetica’s work is the activation of an ecosystem of individuals and organisations that leverages cross-sector collaboration. Since then, we tested our assumptions, ran countless experiments and gained crucial insights around how social innovation towards this vision could be realised and what this work takes. On this basis, we constantly improved our strategy and sharpened our mission over the years. The 2019 strategy revision for example led to the creation of the highly successful Catalyst Lab to fill the gaps we had identified. 

Ahead of our 5th anniversary in 2022, we invested additional resources in an in-depth reflection, evaluation and learning process. As we look back to 2017, we see how spot on our original inquiry was, and how many winding paths we had to take - and will continue to take - to find out what it really takes to effectively do this work. We are excited to present our roadmap 2030.

The roadmap 2030 is a framework for the time span from 2021 to 2030. It lists the areas of work that collaboratio helvetica has identified as being key to fulfil its mission towards its vision, which is an evolutionary purpose. It is not linear, nor static or rigid. It describes a cyclical dynamic leading towards higher impact, as well as a set of mutually reinforcing focus areas. As a learning organisation, we will continuously revise the roadmap 2030 on the basis of learning from each domain and activity, as well as when emergent opportunities or challenges require attention.

This framework will also guide the project’s specific strategies/Theories of Change (ToCs) and help the team learn, reflect and evaluate where we need to focus resources on, which activities are bringing the organisation closer to the intended impact and where adjustments are needed. We know that coherence, open communication and integrity with the organisation’s principles are crucial and must be ensured across all strategic pillars. Our learning ecology practises as well as the core methods and models the team has developed such as the Impact Loop of Inner & Outer Work ensure that the ‘how’ is not lost in the ambition of building institutional structures. On all levels, the inner work drives the outer work, which drives the impact, and we will continue to expand our capacity to do the challenging work of systems change.