Our Impact
Reconnect Foundation is a Swiss, charitable organization committed to deepening the relationship of humanity
and nature. The foundation’s work encompasses ground-breaking scientific research on consciousness,
expanding healthcare accessibility, and supporting the conservation of natural ecosystems, including
through the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Reconnect Foundation was established by the founders of Reconnect Labs, a Swiss biotech company based at the
University of Zurich. In alignment with the founders’ values and ethical stance, they have pledged 20% of the company’s
founding shares to support Reconnect Foundation’s programs.
Our Impact
Reconnect Foundation is a Swiss, charitable organization committed to deepening the relationship of humanity
and nature. The foundation’s work encompasses ground-breaking scientific research on consciousness,
expanding healthcare accessibility, and supporting the conservation of natural ecosystems, including
through the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Reconnect Foundation was established by the founders of Reconnect Labs, a Swiss biotech company based at the
University of Zurich. In alignment with the founders’ values and ethical stance, they have pledged 20% of the company’s
founding shares to support Reconnect Foundation’s programs.
Ecosystem Restoration and Benefit-sharing
Reconnect Foundation’s vision is to nurture ecosystem restoration, supporting the conservation of natural ecosystems through the allyship and support of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and sovereignty.
Reconnect Foundation is focused on this specific cause not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but also because supporting Indigenous stewardship of ecological conservation and promoting Indigenous sovereignty and rights is the most efficient way to preserve biodiversity and protect natural ecosystems.*
Reconnect Foundation’s benefit sharing program involves several stages, including consultation and dialogue, building trusted relationships, creating allyships and making partnership proposals with a view to support programs and projects that promote Indigenous rights and biocultural conservation. Reconnect Foundation has begun its learning journey by listening to and building dialogue with several Indigenous leaders, Indigenous-led organisations, and with NGOs that have established relationships with Indigenous communities in the Amazon region, such as the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund (IMCF), the International Centre for Ethnobotanical Education (ICEERS), El Puente and others.
Reconnect Foundation focuses on programs and initiatives that promote systemic impacts and nourish inter-community collaboration and well-being.
Any financial and non-monetary support is guided by the concept of Indigenous-led funding, prioritising programs and projects that are guided by local, Indigenous groups and organisations. Our grant-making process is informed by our consultations and dialogues, and provided in a manner which is flexible, gender-inclusive, timely and accessible. In doing so, we intend to support and empower Indigenous Peoples in the stewardship of their ecosystems and protection of their cultural practices and traditional knowledge, and to promote the concrete implementation of the recognized legal frameworks that protect Indigenous rights and sovereignty.**
*FAO and FILAC (2021). Forest Governance by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples: An Opportunity for Climate Action in Latin America and the Caribbean
** Including but not limited to the: UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (1989), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992), Access and Benefit Benefit-sharing (ABS) outlined in the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (2014) and consultation with Indigenous communities, Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Open Science Research Program
With a view to promote Open Science, Reconnect Foundation aims to support research of consciousness through the use of different methods, including psychedelics and consciousness-altering techniques (e.g. mindfulness), and their practical application to promote human thriving and the conservation of natural ecosystems.
Support will be provided for academic science (based at universities and research institutes), and interdisciplinary research of traditional medicinal practices and frameworks. Reconnect intends to provide research infrastructure and fund basic science projects that investigate various aspects of consciousness, including consciousness-altering methods as well as ethnobotanical research into ancestral practices and frameworks.
Ecosystem Restoration and Benefit-sharing
Reconnect Foundation’s vision is to nurture ecosystem restoration, supporting the conservation of natural ecosystems through the allyship and support of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and sovereignty.
Reconnect Foundation is focused on this specific cause not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but also because supporting Indigenous stewardship of ecological conservation and promoting Indigenous sovereignty and rights is the most efficient way to preserve biodiversity and protect natural ecosystems.*
Reconnect Foundation’s benefit sharing program involves several stages, including consultation and dialogue, building trusted relationships, creating allyships and making partnership proposals with a view to support programs and projects that promote Indigenous rights and biocultural conservation. Reconnect Foundation has begun its learning journey by listening to and building dialogue with several Indigenous leaders, Indigenous-led organisations, and with NGOs that have established relationships with Indigenous communities in the Amazon region, such as the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund (IMCF), the International Centre for Ethnobotanical Education (ICEERS), El Puente and others.
Reconnect Foundation focuses on programs and initiatives that promote systemic impacts and nourish inter-community collaboration and well-being.
Any financial and non-monetary support is guided by the concept of Indigenous-led funding, prioritising programs and projects that are guided by local, Indigenous groups and organisations. Our grant-making process is informed by our consultations and dialogues, and provided in a manner which is flexible, gender-inclusive, timely and accessible. In doing so, we intend to support and empower Indigenous Peoples in the stewardship of their ecosystems and protection of their cultural practices and traditional knowledge, and to promote the concrete implementation of the recognized legal frameworks that protect Indigenous rights and sovereignty.**
*FAO and FILAC (2021). Forest Governance by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples: An Opportunity for Climate Action in Latin America and the Caribbean
** Including but not limited to the: UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (1989), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992), Access and Benefit Benefit-sharing (ABS) outlined in the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (2014) and consultation with Indigenous communities, Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Open Science
Research Program
With a view to promote Open Science, Reconnect Foundation aims to support research of consciousness through the use of different methods, including psychedelics and consciousness-altering techniques (e.g. mindfulness), and their practical application to promote human thriving and the conservation of natural ecosystems.
Support will be provided for academic science (based at universities and research institutes), and interdisciplinary research of traditional medicinal practices and frameworks. Reconnect intends to provide research infrastructure and fund basic science projects that investigate various aspects of consciousness, including consciousness-altering methods as well as ethnobotanical research into ancestral practices and frameworks.