What Objectif Sciences International does

Objectif Sciences International (OSI) is a Geneva-headquartered nonprofit NGO founded in 1992 by Thomas Egli that operates Participatory Science programs globally, enabling citizens of all ages (children, teenagers, and adults) to participate in genuine scientific research projects. The organization's core methodology, the St1 Pedagogy of Science by the Project, integrates real fundamental, applied, and engineering research with hands-on science education, producing outputs across disciplines including biodiversity, geology, astronomy, marine biology, robotics, and environmental science. OSI delivers programs through a dual institutional-operational model: an International Federation and Resources Center in Geneva coordinate twelve+ program brands (OSI-DRONE-CONNECTION, OSI-CETIS, OSI-ECOLOGIS, OSI-EXPLOREARTH, OSI-BIODIVERSITA, Vacances Scientifiques, science-camps.com) and a network of local groups operating on every continent.

OSI monetizes through three primary streams: participation fees for science camps, discovery classes, expeditions, and solidarity trips; professional services revenue from ST1 pedagogy training and facilitator certification; and research project co-funding via participation revenues, public/private co-funding, territorial programs, and foundation/philanthropy grants. Distribution occurs via direct program delivery to schools, families, and organizations; local groups managing on-the-ground operations in countries including France, Switzerland, USA, DRC, Madagascar, Cameroon, Mexico, and Haiti; an annual Continuous Call for Proposals targeting universities and laboratories; and international conferences at UN and UNESCO venues. OSI holds Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 2011 and maintains partnerships with UNESCO, UNEP, UN-Habitat, the French National Research Agency (ANR), the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA), and SATW, with named reference customers including CNRS (UMR GEODE) for participatory cartography in the Yasuni National Park.

Name

Objectif Sciences International

Legal name

Objectif Sciences International

Website

https://osi-ngo.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Objectif Sciences International is a Geneva-based nonprofit founded in 1992 that runs participatory science programs globally, enabling citizens of all ages to contribute to real research projects across biodiversity, geology, astronomy, and environmental science through science camps, expeditions, school trips, and training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education and Participatory Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Citizen science education
• Participatory research programs
• Science camps services
• Field research expeditions
• STEM education NGO

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Scientific Stay and Trip Fees: Revenue from organizing science camps, discovery classes, scientific expeditions, and participatory trips for children, teenagers, adults, schools, and organizations.
2. Training and Educational Programs: Fees for scientific training programs, ST1 pedagogy training, and professional development offerings for educators and scientists.
3. Research Project Co-funding: Funding through participation revenues, public/private co-funding, territorial programs, foundations/philanthropy, and dissemination budgets. Format allows mobilization of multiple funding sources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Objectif Sciences International delivers participatory science education and research programs that combine real-world scientific research with hands-on learning for citizens of all ages. Its core deliverable is the Participatory Research methodology, operationalized through science camps, school discovery classes, scientific expeditions, hackathons, solidarity trips, and trainer-of-facilitator programs, all serving Sustainable Development Goals. The organization runs an International Federation headquartered in Geneva with a global network of Local Groups delivering programs on every continent.

Product overview

Objectif Sciences International (OSI) offers a portfolio of participatory science programs and services centered on its core Participatory Research methodology. The primary offerings include Science Camps for children and teenagers, Discovery Classes for schools, Scientific Expeditions, and Hackathons/Bootcamps. Supporting services include Training for Facilitators, International Conference Programs, and an internal Resources Center Portal. OSI operates through a network of local groups worldwide and provides structured programs across scientific disciplines including biodiversity, robotics, geology, astronomy, and environmental science. The organization has developed International Standards for Participatory Research and partners with institutions like SATW for initiatives such as the Swiss TecLadies program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• science-camps.com: Public-facing website describing OSI's science camps and participatory research programs for children, teenagers, and adults
• OSI-DRONE-CONNECTION
• OSI-CETIS
• OSI-ECOLOGIS
• OSI-EXPLOREARTH
• Biodiversita
• Educateur Scientifique
• Vacances Scientifiques

Products and services

• Participatory Research Programs Real research projects carried out by citizens of all ages covering topics such as biodiversity, food, renewable energies, and sustainable development, designed to advance scientific knowledge while empowering participants.
• Science Camps for Children and Teenagers Scientific vacation camps where young people participate in genuine research projects during school holidays, covering disciplines such as geology, astronomy, biology, and robotics.
• Discovery Classes / School Trips Educational science programs for school groups that integrate real participatory research into curriculum-aligned learning experiences.
• Scientific Expeditions Field-based research expeditions to global locations such as Iceland, Sicily, and Morocco where participants conduct scientific observations and data collection.
• Hackathons / Training Bootcamps Intensive collaborative events focused on participatory science challenges, including data analysis, tool development, and solution prototyping.
• Solidarity Trips for Adults

Quantifiable outcome

• Participatory research can enable policies to be doubly easier to implement because citizens are co-authors and have acquired understanding of the issue
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• United Nations ECOSOCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011OSI holds Special Consultative Status to United Nations ECOSOC since 2011, enabling participation in UN processes, access to international conferences, and collaboration with UN agencies and programs worldwide.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established since 2011 for science education and participatory research initiatives. OSI organizes Annual International Conference at UNESCO on Participatory Sciences for Science Policy and Sustainable Development Goals.
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on participatory science for environmental issues. OSI participated in UN Ocean Conference 2025 and works on environmental and sustainability initiatives.
• UN-HabitatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established since 2011 for urban development and habitat-related participatory science initiatives.
• SATW (Swiss Academy of Technical Sciences)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSATW is a partner of OSI for organizing scientific vacations dedicated to young women. Scientific educators with OSI are invited to participate in the Swiss TecLadies mentorship program encouraging young women aged 14-19 to explore science and technology.
• ECSA (European Citizen Science Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeiner BENKING serves as OSI's representative in the Advisory Board of the European Citizen Science Association, connecting OSI to the broader European citizen science ecosystem.
• Geneva ForummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Geneva Forum to provide free access to a manual for filling out logical frameworks in 45 minutes, helping organizations define projects and complete logical framework documents.
• French National Research Agency (ANR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSI was appointed Co-Chair of the Selection Committee for ANR's Participatory Research Call for Projects in 2022, establishing OSI as a key player in French research funding.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Earthwatch Institute: Nonprofit organization that engages citizens in scientific field research and conservation expeditions worldwide. Highly comparable to OSI's combination of participatory research, citizen science expeditions, and educational programming.
• Adventure Scientists: Nonprofit that equips volunteers to collect scientific data in remote environments. Comparable in mobilizing non-specialists to contribute credible scientific data for conservation and research projects.
• Zooniverse: Largest online platform for volunteer-driven citizen science research. Comparable as a participatory-research hub, though OSI combines online engagement with in-person expeditions and science camps.
• SciStarter: Online citizen science platform connecting volunteers with research projects across multiple disciplines. Comparable as a participatory-research infrastructure layer that complements OSI's field-program model.
• Outward Bound International: Global nonprofit delivering experiential education through expeditions and outdoor learning. Comparable in delivering hands-on, expedition-based learning experiences to youth and adults, though with a broader outdoor-education focus.
• EarthEcho International: Nonprofit founded by Philippe Cousteau Jr. that engages youth in environmental science and citizen-science initiatives. Comparable mission around empowering young people through participatory science.
• GLOBE Program: International student science and education program supporting environmental monitoring in schools worldwide. Comparable as an institutionalized citizen-science pedagogy model engaging students in real research.

Broad incumbents

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Large established conservation nonprofit with global programs combining research, policy, and citizen engagement. Overlaps with OSI on participatory environmental research and youth engagement programs but at far greater scale and budget.
• National Geographic Society: Large established nonprofit funding scientific research, exploration, and education. Overlaps with OSI on expedition-based science education and grants for citizen-science fieldwork, but at much greater scale.

Others

• European Citizen Science Association (ECSA): Network organization promoting citizen science across Europe. OSI already has representation on ECSA's Advisory Board; comparable as a coordinating body for the citizen-science ecosystem in which OSI operates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/HumanTrail

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Objectif Sciences International