Themes and Narratives that shape our time

Two people are experiencing virtual reality together. One person is wearing a VR headset and gesturing enthusiastically, while the other stands beside them with raised hands, sharing their impressions. Both appear fascinated and engaged.

Our thematic focus areas address the central questions of our time. From cultural participation and community engagement to environmental responsibility and digital transformation. Through artistic and educational approaches we open up new ways of engaging with complex themes, think across disciplines and continuously develop our content in dialogue with society, science and practice.

Climate & Environment

A healthy planet is the foundation of our future.

Climate protection, biodiversity, climate justice and global interdependencies are among the most pressing issues of our time. They affect not only the environment but also the livelihoods of future generations and the very basis of our shared society.

That’s why we tell stories that make ecological connections visible and emotionally tangible. Our formats combine scientifically grounded content with creative storytelling to make environmental issues understandable and relatable. It’s not just about raising awareness but also about empowering people to act. We highlight what is possible and invite everyone to help shape their role in the transformation.

For the IMF, climate protection is a central societal challenge. We use transmedia storytelling to create experiences that resonate emotionally and inspire reflection. Climate protection is not driven by experts alone but emerges through collective action.

The future breathes now

A planet in motion

Digital illustration in sepia tones: Two birds with long, curved beaks fly across a vast, abstract landscape. Their wings appear ink-painted, set against a misty, minimal background.

Our projects open up a range of perspectives — from international law and biodiversity to immersive habitats and citizen science.

Not Just Celsius demonstrates how closely climate change and human rights are intertwined. Young people have called on the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on the protection of future generations — a globally unique case that has brought collective engagement to the international stage.

MYRIAD. Where we connect. offers a view into global networks. Migration, biodiversity and climate change appear as interconnected movements that reveal the complexity of planetary systems.

Inside Tumucumaque turns the Amazon rainforest into an immersive space of experience. Visitors move virtually through one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth and encounter the value of biodiversity in a direct and sensory way.

And Frogs & Friends marks the beginning of this commitment. What started as a project about amphibian protection has evolved into an independent initiative that continues to be active today.

The image shows a young man with curly hair and a dark jacket standing in front of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He is holding a handwritten cardboard sign that reads “Taking the world’s biggest problem to the world’s highest court #ICJAO.”
The image shows a person in a motorized paraglider (trike) flying above a mountain landscape with valleys and ridges. The person is wearing a cap, headphones, and protective clothing. Several birds, likely migratory birds, are flying alongside and ahead of the aircraft. The sky is partly cloudy, and the landscape stretches widely below.
The image shows a caiman, almost completely hidden beneath the water’s surface. Only its head and part of its back are visible above the water. The scene is set in a dense rainforest, with lush green vegetation lining the riverbank. The water reflects the surroundings, creating a mysterious and slightly menacing atmosphere.
Illustration of three frogs at a nighttime pond, a brown one on a rock to the left, a green one among reed leaves in the center, and an orange one on a boulder to the right.
The image shows a young man with curly hair and a dark jacket standing in front of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He is holding a handwritten cardboard sign that reads “Taking the world’s biggest problem to the world’s highest court #ICJAO.”
The image shows a person in a motorized paraglider (trike) flying above a mountain landscape with valleys and ridges. The person is wearing a cap, headphones, and protective clothing. Several birds, likely migratory birds, are flying alongside and ahead of the aircraft. The sky is partly cloudy, and the landscape stretches widely below.
The image shows a caiman, almost completely hidden beneath the water’s surface. Only its head and part of its back are visible above the water. The scene is set in a dense rainforest, with lush green vegetation lining the riverbank. The water reflects the surroundings, creating a mysterious and slightly menacing atmosphere.
Illustration of three frogs at a nighttime pond, a brown one on a rock to the left, a green one among reed leaves in the center, and an orange one on a boulder to the right.
The image shows a young man with curly hair and a dark jacket standing in front of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He is holding a handwritten cardboard sign that reads “Taking the world’s biggest problem to the world’s highest court #ICJAO.”
The image shows a person in a motorized paraglider (trike) flying above a mountain landscape with valleys and ridges. The person is wearing a cap, headphones, and protective clothing. Several birds, likely migratory birds, are flying alongside and ahead of the aircraft. The sky is partly cloudy, and the landscape stretches widely below.
The image shows a caiman, almost completely hidden beneath the water’s surface. Only its head and part of its back are visible above the water. The scene is set in a dense rainforest, with lush green vegetation lining the riverbank. The water reflects the surroundings, creating a mysterious and slightly menacing atmosphere.
Illustration of three frogs at a nighttime pond, a brown one on a rock to the left, a green one among reed leaves in the center, and an orange one on a boulder to the right.

Framing climate issues as human rights issues

Northern bald ibis in migration with human sponsor

Experiencing the value of biodiversity

Turning engagement into a long-term initiative

Framing climate issues as human rights issues

Northern bald ibis in migration with human sponsor

Experiencing the value of biodiversity

Turning engagement into a long-term initiative

Framing climate issues as human rights issues

Northern bald ibis in migration with human sponsor

Experiencing the value of biodiversity

Turning engagement into a long-term initiative

For me, climate protection is not just a matter of science but a question of attitude. It starts with realizing how deeply everything is connected and with the courage to take responsibility for our planet. Through our projects, we aim to make this visible and to inspire everyone to take part in this change.

Inga van Staden, IMF's Strategic Lead