About ETH4D

Despite major progress in poverty reduction over the past 25 years, around four billion people still live on less than USD 8 per day, often without adequate access to basic services such as food, water, energy, and mobility. At the same time, many low- and middle-income  countries are among the world’s most dynamic economies, creating new opportunities to address social and environmental challenges through innovation.

Recent advances in technologies such as mobile connectivity and solar energy have already had tremendous impacts on development, and emerging technologies, such as digitalization, 3D printing, blockchain, remote sensing, and robotics, offer similar promise. However, much of this potential remains untapped. ETH4D believes universities have a responsibility to ensure technological progress benefits the global population.

ETH4D supports interdisciplinary research and collaboration across academia, civil society, industry, and policy, and educates future leaders capable of developing, scaling, and implementing impactful innovations with a global perspective.