LEAF Inspiring Change is the result of more than ten years of research in partnership between ETH Zürich and the French research institute CIRAD, during which we developed, implemented and refined the tools and methods we use to support people across the world address complex problems. Originally developed by CIRAD and its partners INRA, the method of Companion Modelling serves as the backbone of the approach we promote. Since 2012, we have built up expertise, testing and validating our methods according to scientific standards, exploring their applicability and effectiveness in a variety of settings and localities. 

We achieved a breakthrough in summer 2017, when the Program for the Congo Basin of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) could resolve a long-standing gridlock in a negotiation between representatives of logging companies, local governments, local communities and conservation NGOs through our methods.
The positive feedbacks we have received by engaging with stakeholders and the increasing demand from industry, government bodies and international institutions motivated us to offer our expertise through new more efficient and targeted channels outside the realm of academia. In doing so, we ensure the scientific expertise of CIRAD and ETH Zürich is promoted and generates broader values.

Since 2021, we are also affiliated to the University of Applied Sciences Bern (BFH) and are continously expanding our network with academic partners such as University of Lausanne.

We believe that innovative approaches are urgently needed to tackle today’s wicked planetary crises. With LEAF, we want to contribute to transformative action.