Who we are
We bring together perspectives from politics, activism, business and culture to develop projects in the space between civil society and institutions that tackle the biggest challenges facing our democracy.
Our mission
The Daniel Sachs Foundation was founded on the conviction that the path towards a vital democracy is paved by a new generation empowered to reimagine a shared future. We bring together perspectives from politics, activism, business and culture to develop projects in the space between civil society and institutions that tackle the biggest challenges facing our democracy.
Our leadership
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Paul Alarcón Alanes
Executive Director
Paul Alarcon is a social entrepreneur and Executive Director of the Daniel Sachs Foundation. He is a co-founder of several organizations dedicated to renewing democracy and fostering inclusive, open societies. He previously served as Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Stockholm. Paul was recognized as an Obama Leader in 2023 and is a Council member of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
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Noura Berrouba
Chief of Staff
Noura is Chief of Staff at the Daniel Sachs Foundation. A seasoned civil society leader and public servant, she previously served as President of the National Council of Swedish Children and Youth Organisations and worked at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She has worked for and advised global institutions, including UN institutions and agencies, think tanks and civil society. She serves on several boards, including Civil Rights Defenders, Friends, and the Global Shapers Community. Noura served as Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos in 2019, becoming the youngest person to hold the role.
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Daniel Sachs
Chair
Daniel is a Swedish business leader deeply committed to the ideals of open and democratic societies, and the principal behind numerous organizations revitalizing democracy. He is the founder and CEO of P Capital Partners, vice chair of the Open Society Foundations (OSF), and chair of its Investment Committee. Daniel also serves on the Panel of Senior Advisers at Chatham House and is a Council member of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Our view on democracy
Democracy grapples with existential challenges, rooted in a lack of trust in the political establishment’s ability to address people’s pressing societal concerns. This distrust, along with polarization and the undermining of democratic institutions provides fertile soil for authoritarian movements and leaders who exploit citizen frustrations, further pulling threads in the democratic fabric.
However, amidst these challenges, there is reason for hope. Across the globe, emerging movements led by a new generation are mobilizing to tackle both local and global issues. Regrettably, all too often, their passion and ideas for societal improvement fail to translate into political power.
Democracy is fundamentally built from the ground up, but it erodes from the top. Therefore, we firmly believe in empowering this diverse new generation of leaders to assume positions of power, prepared with the capability to drive change. By doing so, we aim to strengthen democratic institutions and nurture a culture of inclusivity and hope, essential elements in restoring trust and addressing the root causes of discontent that fuel populism and polarization.