Identifying corporate and stakeholder communities to collaborate on Climate Change with The World Federation of the United Nations Associations - Spring

Advisor: Kathleen Callahan

The Go Beyond fellowship program, developed by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), is an ambitious initiative designed to engage communities worldwide in addressing the impacts of climate change. The program will involve 25 fellows representing five global regions, each tasked with implementing projects that raise local awareness and foster action around climate change mitigation and adaptation. Beyond educating fellows, Go Beyond aims to mobilize two key stakeholder groups—corporate industries and civil society—creating a platform for meaningful collaboration on sustainability initiatives.

WFUNA partnered with the authors of this report to design the fellowship’s structure, including its private-public partnership framework, selection of host countries, and identification of potential corporate sponsors. The evaluation methodology consisted of three steps. First, successful corporate-nonprofit partnership models were analyzed to identify criteria that promote mutually beneficial collaborations, strengthen networks, and integrate corporate engagement with community impact. Second, potential host UN Associations (UNAs) were assessed based on program objectives and target regions, resulting in five strong UNA partners. Finally, corporate sponsors were selected using a metric-driven approach, rating their capacity and likelihood to support a public-private partnership of this scale.

Through Go Beyond, fellows serve as catalysts for change, implementing local projects while fostering global networks between corporations, nonprofits, and civil society. The program not only educates participants and corporate partners about climate action but also leverages partnerships to expand the reach and impact of climate-focused initiatives. By combining global engagement, local action, and public-private collaboration, Go Beyond represents a strategic model for advancing sustainability and climate awareness worldwide.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Capstone Workshop.