In a world grappling with overlapping challenges, global responses often speak in a narrow voice. Whether on the issues of  climate action, digital transformation, migration, or economic recovery, dominant agendas frequently fall short of capturing the lived realities of the Global South. Yet some of the most dynamic responses for a sustainable future are emerging from these very regions — through vibrant civic movements, bold policy experimentation, and deep reservoirs of local knowledge. What is often missing is the connective tissue to link these efforts across borders and disciplines, to adapt successful strategies, and to co-create solutions to shared challenges. This is where Collective Intelligence (CI) can play a transformative role. 

As a concept, collective intelligence is the enhanced capacity emerging from joining forces, pooling knowledge, ideas, and experiences to tackle complex problems. It is grounded in a simple, yet  powerful truth: no single actor has all the answers to today’s multidimensional challenges, but everyone holds valuable pieces of the puzzle. 

In practice, it means designing structured processes – supported by people and technology – to bring those pieces together. When impacted individuals or communities are part of the process, solutions emerge from the ground up. Take UNDP’s Collective Intelligence for Climate Action initiative in Guatemala, in which  farmers co-developed a simple but standardised process to collect data on rainfall and soil conditions. These hyperlocal data inputs informed farmer networks, agronomists, and public institutions, ultimately strengthening early warning systems and guiding more responsive agricultural policies. 

For think tanks and research centres, collective intelligence can be a powerful catalyst for learning and innovating. It brings together diverse perspectives and fosters structured collaboration across fields and geographies. By using proven methods and tailoring them to the challenge at hand, it systematises fragmented knowledge and helps make sense of complexity. 

When designed thoughtfully, collective intelligence processes break down silos and uncover insights that are often hidden in traditional, top-down approaches. At its core, it is about co-creation and shared ownership – which builds legitimacy and strengthens support for the solutions generated. 

Tapping into the crowd’s knowledge 

To unlock the full potential of collective intelligence, a few principles are key. The very first step is to set a clear and shared goal: knowing what you are trying to achieve keeps the process focused and inspires others to contribute their time and knowledge. It is also important to get familiar with the wide range of collective intelligence methods to engage contributors and structure the conversations. While some projects benefit from lightweight input formats that lower the barrier to participation, others require deeper and more sustained interaction.  In Guatemala, for instance, farmers shared quick inputs through mobile phones. Other projects, however, may call for open dialogues where researchers or community members can expand on findings or lived experiences. 

Contributors are at the heart of collective intelligence. To make the most of their participation, it is essential to go beyond the usual suspects and intentionally seek out a diversity of perspectives. Just as important is designing an engagement strategy that respects their time, incentives, and builds in feedback loops, to keep the process genuinely co-creative. Finally, outputs emerging from the process should be shaped to match both the project’s goal and audience. Whether the result is a policy brief, a technical consensus, or a new data platform, tailoring the format to end users increases the chances that insights will translate into real-world impact. 

Towards shared solutions for a changing world 

Collective intelligence is certainly not a silver bullet. It is resource-intensive and requires genuine space for group decision-making. However,  under the right conditions, it is a powerful tool for synthesising knowledge, amplifying underrepresented voices, and rebalancing conversations.  

In a world where challenges are increasingly complex, collaboration has never been more necessary – and thanks to new digital technologies, it has never been more possible. Mobilising the insights of local researchers, think tanks, and communities can turn fragmented experimentation into coordinated strategies that are both rooted in context and impactful enough to shape global development agendas.

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