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connecting

ideas, people, & politics for a

multilateral

system that works for all.

Climate reckoning. Global norms eroding. Democracy in crisis. General AI on the horizon.
To address the challenges we face, we must find better ways to work together.

Project Starling’s vision is a multilateral system that works for all. We are a think and do tank that develops ideas and solutions to collective action challenges. We connect and build coalitions and help them navigate political processes to renew multilateral cooperation together.

Latest Updates

  • COMMENTARY: "The Compromiso de Sevilla Marks a New Path for Development Finance"

    In her latest article, Minh-Thu Pham breaks down why the Compromiso de Sevilla matters, what it signals for the future of international cooperation, and how it fits into a broader pattern of international cooperation adapting to a very different global landscape.

    Read it here

  • NEW REPORT: "UN80 – An Explainer"

    The UN80 initiative represents a major reform and restructuring effort spearheaded by the Secretary-General at the UN’s 80 anniversary. In this July 2025 explainer, Senior Advisor John Norris spells out the basic contours of the UN80 initiative and their potential implications for the United Nations and multilateralism. It may come with major implications across the entire UN family.

    Read it here

  • PRESS RELEASE: A People-Led Accountability Framework for Sevilla Commitments

    At the Financing for Development (FfD4) Conference in Seville, Project Starling, Centre for Policy Dialogue (Bangladesh), and NYU’s Center on International Cooperation launched new civil society-led effort designed to help ensure that the promises made at FfD4 are tracked and translated into tangible improvements for developing countries.

    Learn more here

  • COMMENTARY: "Taking Payout Strategy a Step Further"

    In a time of political flux, many foundations are rethinking how -- and when -- they spend their money. In the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Project Starling co-founder Jacob Harold argues for a new framework for determining foundation payout based on the unique characteristics of each social issue. 

    Read it here

  • COMMENTARY: The Return of Landmines: A Symbol of Eroding Global Norms

    The announced withdrawal of several states from the Ottawa Convention to ban landmines represents an alarming retreat from an agreement that has prevented untold suffering. Deputy Director Elena Bertozzi examines a troubling pattern: the accelerating unraveling of many of the international norms we once took for granted.

    Read it here

  • NEWSLETTER: "A Midsummer's Night Dream" Edition of the Starling's Call is out

    July/August 2025 issue No. 5 of Starling’s Call newsletter is out. Subscribe to receive it without delay in your inbox.

    View it here
United Nations flag flying on a pole against a cloudy sky.

“It’s uncanny how well you time these gatherings. That was so valuable at a time when we are running out of time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

–Senior level participant of a Project Starling convening