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Global Citizens' Assembly participants engaging in democratic climate action
Photo Credit: Global Citizens' Assembly Network | glocan.org
GCA

Global Citizens' Assembly: Strategic Support for Democratic Climate Action

Delivery Partner

Iswe Foundation

Focus Area

Strategic Consulting, Ecosystem Engagement

Timeline

2021–Present

From Vision to Global Platform for Participation

Over the last five years, HOST has provided strategic consulting services to empower frontline organisations advancing climate action and social justice. Our collaboration with Iswe Foundation and the Global Citizens' Assembly (GCA) stands out as a powerful example of this work in action.

Launched ahead of COP26 in 2021, the GCA set out to do something never attempted before: convene a demographically representative group of 100 citizens from around the world to deliberate on the climate crisis and present their recommendations directly to the UN Climate Conference. This landmark pilot demonstrated that democratic participation could happen at a truly global scale.

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UN Secretary-General Quote

"The Global Citizens' Assembly for COP26 is a practical way of showing how we can accelerate action through solidarity and people power. Now is the moment for national leaders to stand and deliver."
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
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HOST supported this ambitious initiative from the ground up. Our consulting work focused on:
  • Designing and implementing a robust fundraising strategy, resulting in $1.5 million raised by September 2021
  • Strengthening the GCA's global coalition of supporters and funders
  • Supporting leadership and operational recruitment to scale delivery
  • Providing tailored strategic planning to amplify long-term impact
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Project Impact

Through curated events and high-level engagement, we helped Iswe Foundation build credibility and deepen connections with policymakers, donors, and civil society actors. This positioned Iswe to become a leading voice on climate governance and participatory democracy.

A Legacy of Impact — and a Shared Future

Following the success of the GCA at COP26, Iswe Foundation was formally established to ensure this model becomes a permanent feature of global governance. Its mission: to scale participatory structures, build technical capacity, and pioneer democratic innovation at local, national and international levels.

HOST is proud to have co-founded the GCA through this partnership — and we continue to provide strategic support as preparations begin for the next assembly at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

This collaboration demonstrates what's possible when bold ideas are matched with expert, movement-aware support. Together, we've helped transform a visionary concept into a global platform shaping the future of climate governance and participatory democracy.

Global Citizens' Assembly participants from around the world
Photo Credit: Global Citizens' Assembly Network | glocan.org