The Global Culture & Sustainability Foundation was born in Amsterdam, where a group of social entrepeneurs and visionaires came together. Instead of accepting the status quo, they started sketching a new architecture: a foundation that would treat culture as critical infrastructure for sustainable development, one that would honour heritage while unleashing the creative solutions embedded in everyday people’s lives. That vision quickly attracted allies—artists, academics, diplomats, activists—and in 2025 the Global Culture Sustainability Foundation was officially registered as a Dutch stichting with a global mandate.
We envision a world in which every community can thrive—socially, economically and ecologically—without sacrificing its unique cultural identity. Our mission is to harness the power of creativity to drive the structural changes the world so urgently needs. We connect artisans and innovators, fund bold experiments, curate public programmes and advocate for policies that recognise the role of culture in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In everything we do, we remain committed to leaving no one behind. That means prioritising women, youth, Indigenous peoples, migrants and people with disabilities, and ensuring that those who have been marginalised become central to designing the future.
Inclusion: We believe that the most transformative ideas often come from those who have been excluded. We co‑create programmes with communities rather than imposing agendas, and we ensure that our spaces are welcoming to all identities and abilities.
Evidence and storytelling: We pair data with lived experience. We collect metrics that demonstrate impact but recognise that numbers alone are not enough—stories of hope, struggle and creativity are just as important in shaping policy and inspiring action.
Balance of heritage and innovation: For us, tradition is not the opposite of innovation but its foundation. We honour elders’ knowledge while supporting experiments that use modern technology and design thinking to respond to today’s challenges.
Global solidarity: We work across boundaries. Diaspora communities, rural farmers, city‑based technologists, government officials and corporate leaders all have roles to play. Our programmes build partnerships that reflect the complex, interconnected nature of the world.
Our leadership is as diverse as the communities we serve. Our board includes voices from the Caribbean, West Africa, Northern Europe and the Middle East, ensuring that decisions are informed by multiple perspectives. Our small but mighty team in Amsterdam works alongside an expanding network of creative ambassadors who represent GCSF in Lagos, Dakar, Paramaribo, London, Berlin and beyond. Together, we steward the foundation’s vision and operations, always guided by the wisdom of those we serve.
We could not do this work alone. We are grateful to collaborate with national ministries of culture and sustainable development, city governments, United Nations agencies, philanthropic foundations and private companies that share our belief in cultural sustainability. Our advisory council includes elders, academics and industry pioneers who lend their expertise and challenge us to be bolder. Each partnership is a story of mutual learning—for example, a collaboration with a communications company allowed us to extend digital storytelling workshops to rural areas, while a partnership with an African bank helped us pilot microfinancing for creative cooperatives. By pooling resources and knowledge, we magnify our impact.
Contact
Global Culture & Sustainability Foundation (GCSF)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
info@gcsfoundation.org
www.gcsfoundation.org
