UpLink

Overview

UpLink is a digital platform to crowdsource innovations, in an effort to accelerate the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is an open platform designed to engage anyone who wants to offer a contribution to the global public good. The core objective is to link-up the best innovators to networks of decision-makers, who can implement the change needed for the next decade. As a global platform, UpLink serves to aggregate contributions and impactful activities, to guide and align pockets of activism and entrepreneurialism, and to make connections for effective collaboration.

Context

For 50 years, the World Economic Forum has facilitated public-private cooperation to improve the state of the world, adopting a multistakeholder approach to engage leaders in society. In recent years we have seen a paradigm shift: societies have become increasingly digital and youthful. This brings the demand for a reformed multi-stakeholder approach; to include grassroots voices within multilateral conversations. UpLink is a response to this changing world order, and it will enable decision-makers within the Forum’s network to engage more deeply with the creativity, innovation and local knowledge at the grassroots level.

UpLink Pilot

On 31st March 2020 we launched the UpLink Ocean Solutions Sprint, a contest to unearth the best innovations for two crucial ocean challenges: plastic pollution and illegal fishing. This contest is a two month pilot strategy for UpLink and we are inviting entrepreneurs, changemakers, experts and investors from across the Forum's network to participate.