Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN)

What Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN) does

The Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN) is a global civil society coalition, established in 2017 (originally as the UN2020 Initiative) and headquartered in New York. Its function is to convene, coordinate, and amplify civil society engagement in United Nations reform and global governance renewal, serving a membership of more than 7,000 individuals and organizations across all regions and sectors. C4UN's primary deliverables are not commercial products but convening platforms and knowledge products: the annual Global Futures Forum, the 2026 Regional Futures Forums across six regions, the Summit of the Future Information Clearinghouse, and a stream of publications including the People's Pact for the Future, policy briefs, and UN80 Initiative updates. Its underlying "technology" is organizational—Steering Committee governance linking major civil society networks (Baha'i International Community, Club de Madrid, GCAP, GPPAC, Oxfam International, Stimson Center, World Future Council, and others)—rather than software or AI systems.

C4UN's business model is that of a membership-based nonprofit. It does not sell commercial products or services; membership is free for qualifying civil society organizations, and individual supporters can join a mailing list at no cost. Revenue is derived from membership contributions, partner organization support, and grant/institutional funding. The organization operates with a small secretariat (approximately 8–15 staff) led by Executive Director Adam Lupel and Co-Chairs Nudhara Yusuf and Florence Syevuo, with program staff in Geneva, New York, and other locations. Its go-to-market is community- and event-driven: engagement is built through flagship convenings (Global Futures Forum, Regional Futures Forums, biennial UN Civil Society Conference), publications, and direct advocacy with UN bodies and Member States.

C4UN's customer segments are not transactional buyers but stakeholder constituencies: civil society organizations seeking coordinated UN reform advocacy, the UN system and Member States seeking structured civil society input, and youth and future-generations advocates. Its distribution and influence are delivered through the membership network, partner organization channels (regional leads, Steering Committee members), event platforms, and the Information Clearinghouse. The organization's strategic plan for 2025–2028 explicitly focuses on professionalizing operations, diversifying and broadening the Global South membership, and consolidating its role as a hub for follow-up on the Pact for the Future.

Name

Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN)

Legal name

Coalition for the UN We Need

Website

https://c4unwn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

C4UN is a global civil society coalition that convenes 7,000+ organizations and individuals to coordinate advocacy for United Nations reform and inclusive multilateralism, delivering convening platforms, policy publications, and civil society follow-up on the Pact for the Future.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Relations Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peace, Security Sector Reform & Stabilization Programs (BPADABAH), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Global Health & Population Intergovernmental Bodies (BPADAAAD)

Keywords

• Civil society coalition
• UN reform advocacy
• Global governance reform
• Multilateralism advocacy
• Policy convening

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: C4UN operates through membership contributions and organizational partnerships. Member organizations and partners provide support through dues and in-kind contributions.
2. Partnership and Grant Funding: The coalition receives support from partner organizations, foundations, and institutional donors who share its mission of strengthening UN reform and global governance.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

C4UN convenes a global civil society coalition of 7,000+ individuals and organizations to advocate for United Nations reform and renewal of multilateral global governance. It delivers its mission through annual and regional futures forums, an online information clearinghouse monitoring the Summit of the Future and Our Common Agenda processes, and policy publications supporting civil society engagement with the UN system and Member States.

Product overview

The Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN) operates as a global civil society platform rather than a traditional technology product company. Its core offerings center on convening, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy coordination. The primary products include the Global Futures Forum (an annual civil society convening on UN reform), Regional Futures Forums (regional consultation series across six global regions), the Summit of the Future Information Clearinghouse (an independent monitoring and information resource), and various publications/resources including the People's Pact for the Future and UN80 Initiative Updates. These offerings work together to support civil society engagement in UN reform processes and monitor implementation of the Pact for the Future.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global Futures Forum (GFF): A collaborative civil society forum convened by C4UN to shape the future of the United Nations and advance multilateral reform discussions.
• Regional Futures Forums
• Summit of the Future Information Clearinghouse

Products and services

• Global Futures Forum (GFF) An annual convening of civil society organizations, regional networks, and reform actors to shape the future of the United Nations. The forum serves as a collaborative civic laboratory for developing practical ideas for UN reform and the 2028 review of the Pact for the Future.
• Regional Futures Forums A series of civil society-led consultations convening organizations from six regions (Asia, Pacific, Africa, Arab States, Europe, and Latin America) to share regional perspectives on implementation of the Pact for the Future, discuss emerging priorities, and explore how global governance can evolve.
• Summit of the Future Information Clearinghouse An independent, collaborative project providing stakeholders with access to accurate, objective, and timely information focused on Summit of the Future preparatory processes and developments related to the Secretary-General's Our Common Agenda report.
• Publications and Reports Various publications including policy briefs, Q&A documents, meeting summaries, keynote addresses, and analysis on topics including gender and sustainable development, UN80 mandate review, and civil society engagement, including the People's Pact for the Future and UN80 Initiative Updates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Contributed to adoption of UN75 Declaration
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human RightssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025Co-organized November 2025 Geneva roundtable on UN80 Initiative and the future of the UN Human Rights Pillar. Contributes expertise on human rights and international law.
• Baha'i International CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member organization. Provides representation and advocacy on global governance, climate, and social development. Former Global Organizing Partner of the NGO Major Group.
• Club de MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Leading organization of former presidents and prime ministers working on democracy support and governance strengthening. Secretary General María Elena Agüero serves as Steering Committee member.
• Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Major global coalition on poverty and inequality. Led by Beckie Malay, GCAP Asia Convener. Coordinates civil society advocacy on SDGs and global governance reform.
• Global Governance Innovation Network (GGIN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member and key strategic partner. Co-directed by Richard Ponzio at Stimson Center. Produces Global Governance Innovation Reports and supports reform research.
• Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Regional representative Rafiu Lawal leads West Africa engagement. Focuses on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and youth security agenda.
• Global Women Leaders Voices (GWL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Led by Cristina Gallach, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications. Focuses on women's leadership and gender equality in global governance.
• International Alliance of Women (IAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Represented by Soon-Young Yoon, UN Representative. Works on gender equality and women's rights in UN processes.
• Oxfam InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Led by Brenda Mofya, Head of New York Office. Co-chairs UN NGO Informal Working Group on Protection of Civilians. Active across 79 countries.
• SDGs Kenya ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member and regional anchor. Florence Syevuo serves as Executive Director and C4UN Co-Chair. Coordinates Kenyan civil society engagement on 2030 Agenda.
• Stimson CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Richard Ponzio serves as Senior Fellow and Director of Global Governance, Justice & Security Program. Co-directs GGIN and contributes research on UN reform.
• United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Enyseh Teimory leads policy work. Active in campaigns for UN openness, accountability, and reform including 1 for 8 Billion campaign.
• World Future CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering Committee member. Represented by Neshan Gunasekera (CEO) and Alyn Ware (Councillor Alternate). Focuses on intergenerational governance and peace.
• Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional partner for Arab States Regional Futures Forum. Collaborates on civil society consultations for UN reform engagement in the Arab region.
• Article 109supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAfrica Futures Forum co-lead. Jointly leads regional engagement bringing African civil society perspectives to global UN reform discussions.
• Building Blocks for Peace FoundationsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAfrica Futures Forum co-lead. Led by Rafiu Lawal. Focuses on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Nigeria and West Africa.
• Centre for Global South Studies in DevelopmentsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAfrica Futures Forum co-lead. Contributes research and development expertise on Global South perspectives in UN reform.
• Nigeria Network of NGOssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAfrica Futures Forum co-lead. Coordinates Nigerian civil society engagement on sustainable development and global governance.
• Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable DevelopmentsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAsia Futures Forum collaborative lead. Coordinates regional civil society engagement on Pact for the Future implementation.
• Asia Development Alliance (ADA)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAsia Futures Forum collaborative lead. Engages 300+ CSOs across 27 Asian countries in UN reform and SDG advocacy.
• Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAsia Futures Forum collaborative lead. Supports civil society coordination for sustainable development and UN engagement.
• International Development Law Organization (IDLO)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit of the Future Information Clearinghouse (ICH) project partner. Contributes legal and development expertise to information platform.
• Present and Future Institute (PFI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit of the Future Information Clearinghouse (ICH) project partner. Supports foresight and future-oriented governance research.
• CIVICUSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized 2025 International Civil Society Week sessions with C4UN on civil society and the future of the UN. Major global civil society alliance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP): GCAP is a major global coalition on poverty and inequality that coordinates civil society advocacy on the SDGs and global governance reform. It is both a Steering Committee member and a direct peer, operating a similar coalition model focused on UN engagement from a rights-based perspective.
• CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation: CIVICUS is a global civil society alliance focused on strengthening citizen action and civil society space worldwide. It is a direct peer of C4UN in mobilizing civil society engagement with multilateral institutions, and the two organizations have co-organized events (e.g., 2025 International Civil Society Week).
• World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA): WFUNA is a global civil society organization supporting UN Associations in over 100 countries to engage citizens with the United Nations. It is a direct peer operating a parallel global coalition model for civil society-UN engagement, and Rory Mondshein on C4UN's staff previously worked there.
• International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN): ICAN is a global civil society network focused on peacebuilding and women's role in conflict-affected contexts. It is a direct peer operating a similar global coalition model engaging civil society with multilateral peace and security processes.
• Forus International: Forus International is a global network of national civil society platforms that supports coordinated civil society engagement in UN and SDG processes. It is a direct peer operating a structurally similar coalition model focused on civil society participation in multilateral forums.
• United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA): UNA-USA is a membership-based civil society organization that builds American public support for the UN and advocates for a stronger multilateral system. It is a direct peer with a similar advocacy-coordination model focused on US-UN relations and civil society engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Stimson Center: Stimson Center is a major policy research organization with a Global Governance, Justice & Security Program co-directed by Richard Ponzio, who also leads the Global Governance Innovation Network. It is both a C4UN Steering Committee member and a broad incumbent producing research that shapes UN reform debates.
• International Peace Institute (IPI): IPI is a well-established independent think tank working on peace and security policy with the UN. It is a broad incumbent in the global governance space, and C4UN's Executive Director Adam Lupel previously served as IPI's VP and COO, reflecting direct institutional adjacency.

Emerging players

• Club de Madrid: Club de Madrid is an organization of former heads of state and government focused on democracy support and governance strengthening. It is both a C4UN Steering Committee member and an emerging player in the global governance reform space, with overlapping convening functions.
• Action for Sustainable Development (A4SD): A4SD supports civil society coordination for sustainable development and UN engagement, and is a collaborative lead for C4UN's Asia Futures Forum. It is an emerging player with overlapping membership in both organizations and a closely aligned thematic focus on SDG implementation and UN reform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/C4UNWN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coalition-for-the-un-we-need-c4un

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN)