Geneva Centre for Security Policy

What Geneva Centre for Security Policy does

Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is a Swiss international foundation founded on 21 December 1995 and headquartered at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva, operating with 101-250 staff to deliver executive education, diplomatic dialogue, policy research, and fellowship programs in international peace and security. Its core customers are mid-career to senior government officials, diplomats, military professionals, and staff of international organizations (UN, NATO, OSCE, EU) drawn from 140+ countries, supplemented by private sector leaders, NGO professionals, and journalists. The portfolio spans four pillars: Executive Education (including the 8-month, 17,900 CHF Master of Advanced Studies with University of Geneva, the Leadership in International Security Course, and 15+ short courses delivered via the proprietary FlexLearn methodology), Diplomatic Dialogue (International Security Dialogue and Mediation and Peace Support departments), Research and Policy Advice (Strategic Security Analyses, Policy Briefs, Geneva Papers, the Polymath Initiative, and the International Defence Innovation Project), and Fellowships and Creative Spark (Global Fellowship Initiative and annual CHF 10,000 Innovation Prize).

Revenue is generated through tiered course fees (500 CHF for short workshops to 17,900 CHF for the MAS), customized corporate training, fellowship stipends, publication activities, and likely institutional donor support, with discounts for early registration (15%), alumni (20%), and group bookings. Distribution is application-based with competitive cohort selection (1-5 weeks review), supplemented by alumni community hubs in multiple regions, virtual delivery via Zoom, and signature events such as the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge and Geneva Security Debates. Notable partnerships include the University of Geneva's Global Studies Institute (academic credentialing), Secure World Foundation and the Council on Strategic Risks (joint Track 1.5 report on outer space treaty verification, May 2026), and the International Gender Champions network. The organization has no disclosed parent, no subsidiaries, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity; governance rests with a Foundation Council led by President Jean-David Levitte and Executive Director Thomas Greminger.

Name

Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Legal name

Centre de Politique de Securite - Geneve (Genfer Zentrum Fur Sicherheitspolitik) (Geneva Centre for Security Policy)

Website

https://gcsp.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Geneva Centre for Security Policy is a Swiss foundation, founded 1995, that delivers executive education, diplomatic dialogue, policy research, and fellowship programs in international peace and security to government officials, diplomats, military professionals, and international organization staff from 140+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Education in International Security

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (61171), National Security and International Affairs (9281)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense Universities & Joint Professional Military Education (PME) (EDAHAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Security Sector Reform (SSR) & Defense Institution Building (BPADAFAE), Security Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Advisory (BPAKADAG), Security Training, Exercises & Force-on-Force (FoF) Evaluation (drills, red teaming) (EUAKAJAK)

Keywords

• Executive security education
• Diplomatic dialogue programs
• International security policy
• Peacebuilding training courses
• Strategic foresight workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Education Programs: Revenue from executive education courses ranging from 500 CHF for short workshops to 17,900 CHF for the 8-month Master of Advanced Studies program. Programs include open enrollment courses, advanced courses, customized corporate offerings, and the flagship MAS in partnership with University of Geneva.
2. Fellowships and Creative Spark: The Global Fellowship Initiative brings emerging and established leaders for research and policy engagement. Creative Spark supports innovation in global security through prizes and programmatic support.
3. Research and Policy Publications: Revenue from publishing research including Strategic Security Analyses, Policy Briefs, Geneva Papers, and external publications on security policy topics.
4. Diplomatic Dialogue Programs: Fee-based diplomatic dialogue departments including International Security Dialogue and Mediation and Peace Support, engaging governments and international organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) delivers executive education, diplomatic dialogue, research and policy advice, and fellowships for peace and security professionals. Its offerings range from short workshops (500 CHF) and advanced courses to an 8-month Master of Advanced Studies in International Security (17,900 CHF, 60 ECTS credits) awarded jointly with the University of Geneva. Programs combine policy research, leadership development, and scenario-based learning for government officials, diplomats, military professionals, and international organization staff.

Product overview

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is an international foundation that operates as a multi-product education and policy platform for peace and security professionals. The organization offers executive education programs (including the Master of Advanced Studies with University of Geneva, Leadership in International Security Course, and specialized short courses), diplomatic dialogue initiatives, research and policy advice through thematic departments, the Global Fellowship Initiative for emerging leaders, and the Creative Spark innovation program including the annual Prize for Innovation (CHF 10,000). Products are delivered through in-person and virtual formats (FlexLearn methodology) and include short courses (Environment and Security, Neurophilosophy, Space Security, Geopolitical Risk), flagship programs (MAS, LISC, LIMPACT), publication series (Strategic Security Analyses, Policy Briefs, Geneva Papers), and the ReCentered podcast. The portfolio is organized around four pillars: Executive Education, Diplomatic Dialogue, Research and Policy Advice, and Fellowships/Creative Spark.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Education

Quantifiable outcome

• 60 ECTS credits awarded by University of Geneva for MAS program completion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Secure World FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Co-authored joint report examining legal, technical, and policy pathways for verifying compliance with the Outer Space Treaty's prohibition on nuclear weapons in space. Based on Track 1.5 dialogue held in Geneva. The report identifies that Article IV lacks verification mechanisms and proposes a layered compliance system.
• The Council on Strategic RisksmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Co-authored joint report with Secure World Foundation and GCSP examining nuclear weapons verification in space. Contributed expertise on legal, technical, and policy pathways for outer space security compliance mechanisms.
• University of Geneva - Global Studies Institute (GSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing academic partnership for the Master of Advanced Studies in International Security (MAS). GSI provides academic resources, university infrastructure, and 60 ECTS credit certification. GCSP contributes executive education expertise, expert faculty, and practical policy focus. The 8-month full-time program runs October-May annually.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NATO Defense College: Rome-based NATO institution offering senior-level executive education in security and defense to military officers, diplomats, and officials from NATO and partner countries. Directly comparable in mission, target audience, and program format to GCSP's executive security education offerings.
• George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies: US-German partnership institution in Garmisch-Partenkirchen delivering executive security education and dialogue programs for government and military professionals from Europe, Eurasia, and beyond. Closely comparable to GCSP in focus on security sector reform, defense institution building, and senior leader development.
• NATO School Oberammergau: NATO's primary individual training and education facility offering courses in operational, tactical, and strategic subjects to NATO allies and partners. Comparable to GCSP in security-focused executive and professional military education targeting government and military professionals.
• European Security and Defence College (ESDC): EU-wide training and education network coordinating common European security and defence policy training across the EU and partner countries. Directly comparable in mandate to deliver security education to government officials and diplomats, with overlapping European institutional context.

Emerging players

• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based international affairs think tank conducting research, hosting high-level convenings, and offering executive programs on global security and international relations. Comparable to GCSP in combining policy research with executive convening and thought leadership targeting government and policy professionals.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): London-based world-leading authority on global security and political risk, providing strategic analysis, convening, and executive education through the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue and other forums. Comparable to GCSP's combination of security policy research, convening, and senior-leader engagement.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global think tank with centers in Washington, Beijing, Brussels, Beirut, and other locations conducting research and convening on international security, democracy, and economic policy. Overlaps with GCSP in producing policy analysis and convening senior policy professionals on security issues.
• King's College London, Department of War Studies: London-based academic department offering degrees and executive programs in war studies, defence studies, and intelligence and security. Overlaps with GCSP through faculty connections (e.g., Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli was previously Assistant Professor at KCL's Defence Studies Department) and adjacent curriculum in strategic security studies.

Regional players

• Geneva Graduate Institute: Geneva-based academic institution offering master's and doctoral programs in international affairs and development studies, and home to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy's academic partners and faculty networks. Comparable in academic-adjacent security and international relations education delivered in Geneva's international ecosystem.
• The Hague Academy of International Law: International law institution based in The Hague offering specialized courses in international law, including international humanitarian law and law of armed conflict. Comparable to GCSP's executive education in security law, international humanitarian frameworks, and arms control legal dimensions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theGCSP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZNW0pEc846L2_-WlUmzHHA/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/thegcsp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thegcsp
• Instagraminstagram.com/thegcsp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Geneva Centre for Security Policy