The St.Gallen Transformation Lab

Goal

The St.Gallen Transformation Lab is an open and participatory platform for the development and implementation of innovative and sustainable visions of the future in the region. Initiated by the University of St.Gallen (HSG) and the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST), it is based on the conviction that educational institutions can – and should – make a significant contribution to positive societal development in their communities through their key activities in teaching, research, innovation, and knowledge transfer.

Approach

Transformative change can succeed when collaboration takes place across organizational and sectoral boundaries. The St.Gallen Transformation Lab seeks to implement projects together with civil society, businesses, and the public sector. Always with the goal of generating positive societal impact and jointly contributing to a desirable development of the region.

Societal Impact

The Transformation Lab aims to make the diverse existing activities and stakeholders in the region visible on the one hand, and to design and implement concrete projects with positive impact potential on the other.

Activities

The St.Gallen Transformation Lab has two types of activities. Cross-cutting support activities create overview and shared visions for the regional ecosystem, aim to make impact visible and knowledge broadly accessible. On this foundation, more concrete impact-oriented projects can be implemented.

Cross-Cutting Activities

Mapping Activities & Stakeholders Envisioning Desirable Futures, Impact Pathways & Measurement Launchpad and Support for Impact-Oriented Projects Knowledge Development and Dissemination HEI Transformation Exchange

Impact-Oriented Projects

Future-Maker-Space THRIVE Impact Summer Schools Partnership Catalyst Future Festival Impact Ideation Incubator ...

Partners

HSG (Leading House) and OST are the founding partners of the St.Gallen Transformation Lab. swissuniversities co-finances the project for the years 2025-2026. On behalf of HSG, the Competence Center for Social Innovation (CSI-HSG) is the lead facilitator and orchestrator of the Transformation Lab. For the long-term and even more impactful implementation of this project, we welcome additional partners.

Engage

We're excited about your interest in the St.Gallen Transformation Lab! Whether you're interested in collaboration, want to make a regional initiative more visible, or simply want to learn more – please get in touch!