The NCCR North-South is an innovative research programme in the fields of global change and sustainable development.

Headquartered in Switzerland and encompassing a robust network of over 400 researchers active in more than 40 countries worldwide, it is dedicated to finding sustainable, practicable solutions to specific challenges of global change. Crucial to all NCCR North-South activities is a commitment to partnership between institutions and individuals in the northern and southern hemispheres. Research is collaboratively conducted with a special emphasis on the needs of developing and transition countries, since they are arguably under the most pressure due to accelerated global processes of environmental, economic and sociopolitical change.

Originally launched in 2001, the NCCR North-South is one of twenty National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) established by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to promote scientific advancement in vital research areas. It was founded in the belief that increasing our understanding of global change and identifying means of sustainable development is crucially important to Switzerland’s future and that of the world. The programme is jointly funded by SNSF, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the participating research institutions.