The Global Culture & Sustainability Foundation (GCSF) is more than a foundation; it is a vibrant culture community where heritage and innovation come together. We were founded when a group of socially minded entrepreneurs and visionaries decided to build a platform that treats culture as critical infrastructure for sustainable development. – one that honours heritage while unleashing the creative solutions embedded in everyday people’s lives. Today we serve as a guide, connector and catalyst—an international springboard for talent, heritage and innovation. Rooted in Amsterdam Zuidoost and connected to the world, we aim to create a sustainable, circular and culturally diverse creative industry in which makers are free, visible and economically empowered.
We believe culture is not a luxury but a vital force for positive change. By connecting knowledge, creativity and craft, GCSF empowers communities to grow, innovate and build a greener, fairer world. Our Foundation envisions an international “culture community” in which education, art, fashion, technology, inclusion and social entrepreneurship come together in one integrated ecosystem.
Inclusion: We believe that the most transformative ideas often come from those who have been excluded. We co‑create programmes with communities rather than imposing agendas, and we ensure that our spaces are welcoming to all identities and abilities.
Evidence and storytelling: We pair data with lived experience. We collect metrics that demonstrate impact but recognise that numbers alone are not enough—stories of hope, struggle and creativity are just as important in shaping policy and inspiring action.
Heritage & Innovation: Tradition is not the opposite of innovation but its foundation. We honour elders’ knowledge while supporting experiments that use modern technology and design thinking to address today’s challenges.
Global solidarity: We work across boundaries. Diaspora communities, rural farmers, city‑based technologists, government officials and corporate leaders all have roles to play. Our programmes build partnerships that reflect the complex, interconnected nature of the world.
Our leadership is as diverse as the communities we serve. Our board includes voices from the Caribbean, West Africa, Northern Europe and Asia, ensuring that decisions are informed by multiple perspectives. Our small but mighty team in Amsterdam works alongside an expanding network of creative ambassadors who represent GCSF in Lagos, Dakar, Paramaribo, London, Berlin and beyond. Together, we steward the foundation’s vision and operations, always guided by the wisdom of those we serve.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
info@gcsfoundation.org
www.gcsfoundation.org
KVK-nummer: 98866044
