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This session invites you to take a closer look at the role of storytelling in conveying the complexities of sustainability solutions and the real-world consequences of investing in alternative energy sources. Exploring how well-intentioned initiatives can sometimes lead to unintended environmental challenges. Discover the unexpected challenges and potential pitfalls associated with green investments, with a focus on hydrogen, while unraveling the power of storytelling in conveying these intricate narratives. 

Integrating nature & biodiversity means facing more than technical challenges like data-availability. The process of change is more complex. Understanding and support by senior-management are key.

Following interviews with 30 corporations and financial institutions, this pitch will present success factors.

Join us for an online event on September 21 to explore the big trends that should be on everyone’s radar this fall. This webinar will lay the groundwork for the Building Bridges program, which will cover many important sustainable finance related topics. We will discuss the latest developments in the industry, including new technologies, regulations, and products.

Key trends include:

Overview of the project

Since 2019, Open Geneva organizes an annual hackathon on Sustainable Finance, with the support of Geneva top finance institutions (Lombard Odier, JP Morgan, CA Indosuez, BNP Paribas,…) and the University of Geneva. This 24h hackathon aims at finding sustainable solutions to concrete problems in the fields of banking and finance. Multidisciplinary teams come together to develop solutions to challenges owned by finance institutions, startups, associations, public institutions and citizens.  

What is a hackathon?

Hackathons are learning, co-creation and collective intelligence moments, taking place over 24 or 48 hours non-stop. Teams of participants from different backgrounds meet to tackle challenges on a given theme. The time constraint and the diversity of the team members allow innovative solutions to emerge. At the end of the event, each team presents the results of its work.

Experience SFH’s collaborative atmosphere tackling sustainable finance challenges. Watch the previous edition’s aftermovie to dive in.

Why should students participate?

For students this is a unique opportunity to put into practice competences and knowledge acquired during their studies. By collaborating in teams with finance and banking experts, as well as professionals from different backgrounds, they can expand their network and get a chance to get hired. Students also value being able to join a concrete project that can make an impact on society. Hackathons are recognized as learning experiences by the United Nations. Participants will receive certificates signed by Open Geneva and UNITAR.

Join our Social Speed Networking Session to expand your network and explore areas of synergy in your work. The session will follow a classic Speed Networking format where individuals rapid fire introduce themselves to each other and then move on to a new person. Participants can expect to meet 8-10 new people during the session.

This speed-networking session is powered by UBS.

Join our Impact Speed Networking Session to expand your network and explore areas of synergy in your work. The session will follow a classic Speed Networking format where individuals rapid fire introduce themselves to each other and then move to a new person. Participants can expect to meet 8-10 new people during the session.

This speed-networking session is powered by Pictet.

Join our Nature and Climate Speed Networking Session to expand your network and explore areas of synergy in your work. The session will follow a classic Speed Networking format where individuals rapid fire introduce themselves to each other and then move on to a new person. Participants can expect to meet 8-10 new people during the session.

This speed-networking session is powered by Lombard Odier.

In collaboration with the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Centre for Finance and Development, this event focuses on the potential of innovative finance as a “transformative tool” which aligns with the need for creative and impactful solutions to address pressing global challenges. The event will showcase real-world testimonials on how leveraging innovative finance can strengthen the resilience of health systems, climate and ecosystems, and social inclusion. The high-level plenary will demonstrate how tailored financial mechanisms have led to positive outcomes such as building robust infrastructure, funding climate adaptation projects, and supporting marginalized communities. Innovate finance has successfully deployed mechanisms and structured financial instruments to catalyse private investments; bridging investment gaps from the private sector to impact positive change as well has facilitated partnerships between governments, private sector entities, and civil society organizations to drive sustainable development projects.