Delete search term

To content

Main navigation

Zurich University
of Applied Sciences

Service navigation

Exploring Decentralized Governance for NPOs (DAO4Solidar)

DAO4Solidarity explores how decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) can enhance transparency, fairness, and participation in nonprofit governance. Together with Solidar Suisse, the project evaluates DAO-based fund allocation and stakeholder engagement models adapted to Swiss legal, compliance, and humanitarian impact requirements.

Description

DAO4Solidarity investigates how Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and blockchain-based governance can be applied in the nonprofit sector to improve transparency, fairness, and stakeholder participation.

In collaboration with Solidar Suisse, the project explores two concrete use cases:

  1. transparent allocation of funds through smart contract–based voting mechanisms, and
  2. a stakeholder governance DAO enabling partners and beneficiaries to engage democratically in project planning and prioritization via innovative voting models such as reputation-based systems.

Unlike existing DAO initiatives in crypto-native communities, this study adapts decentralized governance to the realities of humanitarian NGOs, addressing Swiss legal compliance, accountability standards, trust challenges in partner countries, and measurable beneficiary-level outcomes. The project will deliver a feasibility assessment and practical playbook outlining how hybrid DAO models can support more inclusive, efficient, and mission-driven governance in development cooperation.

Key data

Project partners

Solidar Suisse

Project status

completed, 11/2025 - 11/2026

Institute/Centre

Institute for Organizational Viability (IOV)

Funding partner

Innosuisse Innovationsscheck

Project budget

15'000 CHF

Privacy Settings

Here we show you which services may run on our website. You decide for yourself which services we may use. You can find more information in our privacy notice.

Our website needs these cookies so that everything works properly. These cookies are created automatically when you are active on the site – for example, when you change privacy settings or fill in forms. You can block these cookies in your browser or set it to warn you about them, but some parts of the website will then no longer display correctly. These cookies do not store any of your personal data.

These services allow us to see how our website is used, but we do not know who you are. By activating these services, you help us make the website better for everyone.