Introduction
The Green Earth Action Foundation, commonly known as GEAF, is an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It works to advance environmental protection, sustainable development, climate awareness and youth-led community action.
GEAF was established in April 2023 in response to the need for inclusive and practical solutions to climate change. Its approach connects grassroots environmental projects with global policy discussions, international partnerships and public education.
The organization became an accredited observer to the United Nations Environment Programme, or UNEP, in September 2025. UNEP’s official list of accredited organizations identifies Green Earth Action Foundation as a Swiss nongovernmental organization. Accreditation allows eligible civil society organizations to participate in UNEP meetings and contribute perspectives to international environmental processes.
GEAF should primarily be classified as an environmental implementing organization and youth leadership platform, rather than a conventional grantmaking foundation. It designs projects, supports ambassadors, mobilizes volunteers, organizes climate dialogues and raises donations for environmental programs.
History and Background
Green Earth Action Foundation was founded and established its headquarters in Geneva in April 2023. Its official website does not prominently identify an individual founder in the organizational history or leadership information reviewed. Therefore, it is more accurate to describe GEAF as an organization established in 2023 rather than attribute its creation to an unverified individual.
The organization’s development has included several major milestones:
- April 2023: Establishment of Green Earth Action Foundation in Geneva.
- October 2024: Launch of the Climate Action Conversations Series.
- January 2025: Launch of the first GEAF Ambassador Programme.
- September 2025: Accreditation as an observer to UNEP and its governing bodies.
- 2026: Expansion of ambassador-led projects, international cleanups, environmental education and the 4.29 Green Earth Action Day.
GEAF developed around the idea that policy commitments alone are insufficient to address climate change. Its model emphasizes the importance of informed individuals, connected communities and locally implemented projects.
The organization uses its location in Geneva to connect community voices with international institutions, sustainability professionals, universities, civil society organizations and policy discussions.
Mission and Purpose
GEAF’s mission is to advance sustainability by inspiring and empowering individuals, communities and organizations to embrace sustainable living.
The organization seeks to reduce humanity’s environmental footprint while strengthening the relationship between people and nature. Its activities are aligned with the values of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Its work focuses on translating environmental awareness into practical action through:
- Climate and environmental education.
- Youth leadership development.
- Community-based environmental projects.
- International dialogue and advocacy.
- Waste reduction and recycling.
- Water and marine protection.
- Tree planting and biodiversity conservation.
- Climate-smart agriculture.
- Partnerships between communities and institutions.
Vision and Core Pillars
GEAF’s vision is based on three connected pillars.
Environmental Protection
The environmental protection pillar focuses on safeguarding ecosystems and natural resources through education, advocacy and practical field projects.
Activities may include:
- Tree planting.
- Waste collection.
- Recycling and upcycling.
- Waterway and shoreline cleanups.
- Environmental awareness campaigns.
- Forest and biodiversity protection.
- Climate-smart agriculture.
- Sustainable-consumption education.
Diversity and Inclusion
GEAF seeks to build an international network of climate leaders from different countries, cultures and social backgrounds.
The organization emphasizes that people most affected by environmental and climate challenges should have opportunities to participate in designing and implementing solutions.
Its ambassador and community programs are intended to connect individuals with different experiences while creating inclusive platforms for environmental leadership.
Peace
GEAF connects environmental sustainability with peaceful coexistence between people, communities and nature.
This approach recognizes that environmental degradation, water scarcity, displacement, inequality and competition over natural resources can contribute to social tension. Community collaboration and sustainable resource management can therefore support both ecological protection and peaceful development.
Strategic Priorities
GEAF organizes its work around three broad institutional priorities.
Youth Empowerment
Youth empowerment is central to the organization’s model. GEAF equips emerging climate leaders with knowledge, practical skills, mentorship and opportunities to implement environmental initiatives.
Through the GEAF Ambassador Programme, participants develop locally relevant projects, engage community members and become part of an international sustainability network.
Community Engagement
GEAF believes lasting environmental change must be rooted in communities.
Its projects involve local volunteers, schools, young people, civil society groups, universities and other community stakeholders. Programs are designed to encourage shared responsibility and practical environmental action.
Awareness and Advocacy
The organization uses public events, online discussions, educational publications and international engagement to make environmental information more accessible.
Its Climate Action Conversations Series brings together scientists, policymakers, researchers, practitioners and civil society representatives to discuss topics such as food waste, water security, climate justice and sustainable development.
Governance and Structure
Green Earth Action Foundation operates as an international nonprofit organization rather than a privately owned company.
It does not have commercial shareholders receiving profits or dividends. Its resources are intended to support environmental programs, community projects, education and institutional operations.
Board of Trustees
The organization’s official website identifies Patrick Oerer as President of the Board of Trustees.
He is described as an environmental, social and governance professional with more than 20 years of leadership and board experience. His role involves providing strategic guidance concerning GEAF’s sustainability objectives and governance.
The public pages reviewed do not provide a complete list of trustees, appointment terms, committee structures or detailed board procedures. Prospective donors or institutional partners may therefore need to request additional governance information directly from GEAF.
Relevant due-diligence documents may include:
- Legal registration records.
- Governing statutes.
- Full Board of Trustees list.
- Conflict-of-interest policy.
- Safeguarding policy.
- Procurement procedures.
- Audited financial statements.
- Annual financial reports.
- Monitoring and evaluation framework.
Operational Team
GEAF’s official website identifies personnel working in project management, communications, media, design and program coordination.
Publicly listed roles include:
- President of the Board of Trustees.
- Head of Geneva Office and Projects.
- Project Coordinator.
- Project Collaborator.
- Communications and Media Manager.
- Senior Graphic Designer.
- Video Editor.
The Head of Geneva Office and Projects is responsible for project management, partnerships and training. Project and communications staff support program implementation, volunteer engagement, public awareness, media production and international collaboration.
Partnership Structure
GEAF lists relationships with universities, environmental networks, civil society groups, sustainability organizations, public institutions and private-sector actors.
Its publicly presented partners include academic and environmental organizations associated with Geneva and other international locations. Partnership support may involve:
- Technical expertise.
- Training.
- Event collaboration.
- Venues.
- Communications.
- Project implementation.
- Volunteer mobilization.
- Environmental education.
- In-kind assistance.
A logo appearing on a partner list does not necessarily indicate that the organization provides direct financial support. The exact role of each partner may differ between activities.
Funding and Grants
GEAF appears to finance its activities through donations, partnerships, project support, institutional collaboration and in-kind contributions.
Its official website invites individuals to donate directly to the foundation and states that contributions support field programs and capacity-building initiatives.
The public pages reviewed do not provide a detailed breakdown of annual income by source. They also do not present a comprehensive list of government grants, institutional donors, corporate sponsorships or unrestricted funding.
Potential sources of operational support may include:
- Individual donations.
- Institutional partnerships.
- Project sponsorship.
- Corporate support.
- In-kind donations.
- Volunteer contributions.
- Event partnerships.
- Capacity-building support.
Does GEAF Provide Grants?
GEAF does not currently present a permanent, open grant program through which independent NGOs, universities or researchers can routinely apply for unrestricted funding.
It is therefore not a conventional environmental donor comparable to a conservation trust fund or international grantmaking foundation.
Its funding role is more targeted. GEAF states that environmental projects developed through its Ambassador Programme are fully funded and supported by the organization.
This support may include:
- Project materials.
- Implementation assistance.
- Mentorship.
- Technical guidance.
- Training.
- Community-mobilization support.
- Monitoring and reporting assistance.
The official program page does not publicly state a standard cash-grant amount for each ambassador. Applicants should not assume that ambassadors receive unrestricted personal funding.
Research Grants
GEAF does not advertise a permanent program for independent academic research grants.
Researchers may engage with the organization through:
- Climate Action Conversations.
- Environmental publications.
- Technical presentations.
- Research-based training.
- Project assessments.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Collaborative environmental studies.
- Knowledge-sharing partnerships.
Universities and researchers interested in collaboration should approach GEAF with proposals closely related to its environmental priorities rather than submitting unsolicited applications for general research funding.
GEAF Ambassador Programme
The GEAF Ambassador Programme is the organization’s flagship youth leadership initiative.
The six-month global program selects individuals committed to addressing environmental and climate challenges within their communities.
Participants receive:
- Capacity-building training.
- Mentorship.
- Guidance from subject specialists.
- Support in refining project ideas.
- Assistance during project implementation.
- Membership in an international network.
- Recognition following completion.
Ambassador-led projects must fall within five thematic areas:
- Waste reduction and pollution prevention.
- Marine and water protection.
- Environmental education and community empowerment.
- Climate-smart agriculture.
- Forest and biodiversity protection.
The selection process includes an application, initial screening, interviews, project-proposal refinement and final selection.
GEAF reports that its ambassador network has grown to more than 40 participants from 24 countries across five continents.
Major Programs and Initiatives
4.29 Green Earth Action Day
The 4.29 Green Earth Action Day is a coordinated international environmental-action initiative held on 29 April.
GEAF ambassadors lead projects in different countries while connecting through a shared global program. Activities may include:
- Tree planting.
- Waste collection.
- Environmental education.
- Recycling.
- Biodiversity awareness.
- School engagement.
- Community cleanups.
- Sustainable-agriculture activities.
GEAF reports that its 2026 event involved 18 ambassadors implementing activities in 15 locations across four continents.
More than 250 volunteers and over 1,000 participants were involved. The projects reportedly planted more than 2,500 trees and collected over 6,000 kilograms of waste with support from more than 40 local partners. These figures are reported by GEAF and have not been independently audited in the sources reviewed.
Climate Action Conversations
The Climate Action Conversations Series was launched in October 2024 to make environmental knowledge accessible and encourage practical action.
The online series brings together specialists from academia, international organizations, government, civil society and sustainability initiatives.
Topics have included:
- Food waste and sustainable food systems.
- Climate adaptation.
- Just transition.
- Water security.
- Environmental justice.
- Public health.
- Sustainable consumption.
- Community climate action.
The discussions are accompanied by educational resources and post-event publications that can be used by students, professionals, researchers and policymakers.
ACT for Water
ACT for Water is an initiative focused on water security, climate resilience and sustainable water management.
The program is structured around:
- Advocacy: Building public knowledge and policy dialogue.
- Collaboration: Bringing organizations and communities together.
- Transition: Supporting practical pathways toward improved water management.
Its activities include expert discussions, freshwater and marine cleanups, partnerships and practical environmental action.
Freshwater and Marine Cleanup Series
The ACT II Freshwater and Marine Cleanup Series extends GEAF’s water-security work into community action.
The 2026 series includes activities in Switzerland, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria. It seeks to mobilize local volunteers, remove waste from water environments and connect community cleanups with wider discussions about freshwater and marine protection.
Protecting Our Shores
Protecting Our Shores was a shoreline cleanup and marine-awareness project implemented at Baby Plage in Geneva in July 2025.
The activity involved 30 participants and 15 volunteers who removed approximately 37.5 kilograms of waste from the shoreline.
The project also educated participants about plastic pollution and linked local waste collection with international environmental advocacy in Geneva.
Fashion Reborn
Fashion Reborn promotes circular fashion, textile reuse, repair and upcycling.
A Geneva edition taught participants how to repair and transform unused garments while learning about sustainable consumption and the environmental effects of the fashion industry.
A Nigerian edition implemented at the Wassa internally displaced persons camp collected approximately 891 kilograms of textile waste and 148 discarded sacks.
The project reported producing upcycled school bags for 150 children, training 45 adolescent girls in reusable sanitary-pad use and distributing 50 reusable pads.
The initiative combines environmental protection with education, dignity and support for vulnerable communities.
Eco-Futures
Eco-Futures is an environmental art and public-awareness initiative.
The program uses art made with recycled or sustainable materials to encourage discussions about responsible consumption, climate action and the relationship between people and nature.
Its Geneva exhibition brought artists, environmental advocates and members of the public together to explore upcycling, sustainable creativity and environmental responsibility.
Global Summit for Change
The GEAF Global Summit for Change is designed as a platform for environmental leadership, dialogue and collaboration.
The program connects young leaders, sustainability professionals, institutions and civil society participants. It supports knowledge exchange and seeks to transform environmental commitments into partnerships and community-level action.
Volunteer Programme
GEAF publishes project-specific volunteer opportunities for people interested in supporting environmental activities.
Volunteers may contribute to:
- Community outreach.
- Environmental education.
- Tree planting.
- Waste collection.
- Event organization.
- Project coordination.
- Communications.
- Research and documentation.
The volunteer model enables individuals to participate directly in project delivery without joining the formal Ambassador Programme.
Impact and Examples of Work Supported
GEAF reports operating through a global network of ambassadors, volunteers, community participants and partner organizations.
Its website reports:
- More than 40 GEAF ambassadors.
- More than 4,000 participants and volunteers mobilized.
- Activities in more than 20 countries.
- A presence across five continents.
- More than 6,800 trees planted.
- More than 6,500 kilograms of waste removed.
These totals are self-reported by the organization. The public information reviewed does not provide an independent impact evaluation or detailed methodology explaining how every cumulative figure was calculated.
Youth Leadership Impact
The Ambassador Programme provides emerging climate leaders with practical experience in:
- Community consultation.
- Project design.
- Environmental education.
- Volunteer management.
- Partnership development.
- Public communication.
- Project implementation.
- Impact reporting.
Ambassadors are expected to adapt projects to local environmental conditions rather than applying one standardized intervention in every country.
Tree Planting and Biodiversity
Tree-planting initiatives have been implemented through ambassador-led community projects.
These activities may support:
- Ecosystem restoration.
- School greening.
- Community participation.
- Soil protection.
- Shade and urban resilience.
- Biodiversity education.
- Climate awareness.
The environmental value of tree planting depends on species selection, survival rates, land management and long-term maintenance. Publicly reported planting totals should therefore not automatically be interpreted as verified long-term forest restoration.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Waste-reduction projects represent a significant part of GEAF’s practical environmental work.
Examples include:
- Shoreline cleanups.
- Community waste collection.
- Textile recovery.
- Clothing repair.
- Upcycling workshops.
- Plastic-pollution education.
- Recycling campaigns.
Fashion Reborn demonstrates how waste can be transformed into practical items while supporting children and young women in vulnerable communities.
Environmental Education
GEAF’s education work takes place through webinars, workshops, school programs, public exhibitions, community activities and downloadable resources.
The organization seeks to make technical environmental issues understandable to students, volunteers, community leaders and members of the public.
Topics include:
- Climate change.
- Food waste.
- Plastic pollution.
- Sustainable fashion.
- Water security.
- Biodiversity.
- Sustainable agriculture.
- Environmental justice.
- Responsible consumption.
International Policy Engagement
UNEP accreditation gives GEAF formal recognition as an observer organization within UNEP’s civil society engagement structure.
This does not make GEAF part of the United Nations or a United Nations funding agency. It remains an independent nongovernmental organization.
Accreditation provides opportunities to observe relevant meetings, participate in stakeholder processes and contribute civil society perspectives to environmental discussions.
Understanding GEAF’s Role as a Foundation
Despite using “Foundation” in its name, GEAF should not automatically be treated as a large endowed donor.
Its public activities indicate that it primarily operates as:
- An environmental nonprofit.
- A climate-action implementer.
- A youth leadership network.
- A community project organizer.
- A volunteer-mobilization platform.
- An environmental education provider.
- An advocacy and dialogue organization.
Its Ambassador Programme includes internally supported community projects, but GEAF does not currently present a broad open competition for external NGOs seeking unrestricted climate grants.
Opportunities for Donors and Partners
GEAF may be relevant to donors and institutions seeking partnerships in:
- Youth climate leadership.
- Community environmental action.
- Marine and freshwater protection.
- Waste reduction.
- Circular fashion.
- Climate-smart agriculture.
- Environmental education.
- Biodiversity conservation.
- Public climate advocacy.
- International sustainability dialogue.
Potential forms of support include:
- Program sponsorship.
- Project funding.
- In-kind materials.
- Technical expertise.
- Training.
- Volunteer participation.
- Event collaboration.
- Research support.
- Monitoring and evaluation assistance.
- Communications partnerships.
Conclusion
Green Earth Action Foundation is a young international environmental nonprofit connecting community action with global climate dialogue.
Established in Geneva in April 2023, the organization has developed programs in youth leadership, environmental education, waste reduction, water protection, biodiversity and sustainable consumption.
Its accreditation by UNEP in September 2025 strengthened its ability to engage with international environmental processes while remaining an independent civil society organization.
GEAF’s flagship initiatives include the Ambassador Programme, 4.29 Green Earth Action Day, Climate Action Conversations, ACT for Water, Fashion Reborn, Eco-Futures and Protecting Our Shores.
The organization is not currently a conventional grantmaking donor or provider of open research grants. Its funding role is mainly expressed through fully supported ambassador projects, partnerships, donations and direct program implementation.
Its strongest contribution lies in empowering young environmental leaders, mobilizing volunteers and translating sustainability knowledge into locally relevant action. As GEAF continues to grow, increased publication of audited financial statements, complete governance information and independent impact evaluations would help donors and researchers assess its institutional development and long-term results.
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