Amid an increasingly volatile international landscape, 88 per cent of associations and not-for-profit organisations believe that geopolitical instability will affect their operations - with 85 per cent stating it already has.
These are among the headline findings of new research released by The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE). Conducted amongst 99 association and not-for-profit leaders from across the globe, the research shines a light on how associations are adapting - or struggling to adapt - to mounting global pressures including political instability, the rise of populism, and tightening regulatory and operational environments.
More than half - 54 per cent - of respondents describe themselves as executive/board/C-level, while a further 18 per cent cite their role as association management.
Unprepared and under pressure
While 14 per cent of organisations described themselves as not prepared for the ongoing geopolitical impact, a further 72 per cent said they are only somewhat prepared. Just 13 per cent feel they are well prepared. This suggests widespread concern around resilience and agility in the face of fast-moving change.
“Associations are increasingly navigating a complex geopolitical environment, with instability no longer an external factor but an embedded reality,” said Bas Schot, head of The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau. “Our research reveals not just concern, but a clear call to action - associations must double down on governance, mission alignment and strategic communication if they are to weather what lies ahead.”
Populism: influence and implications
The rise of populist parties and movements also ranks high on the list of concerns: 77 per cent of respondents see it impacting their organisations. Worryingly, 30 per cent ranked their concern as 4 or 5 out of 5 regarding the influence populism could have on the composition and decisions of their boards.
In response to these risks:
- 81 per cent of respondents are reinforcing their focus on core mission and values.
- 63 per cent are prioritising stronger governance policies.
- 61 per cent are working toward more diverse board representation to balance perspectives.
Learning from history - but gaps remain
While 83 per cent believe that lessons from past crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis are helping them respond today, 42 per cent say critical knowledge gaps remain.
Ioannis Pallas, MD of ESAE, said: "This research underlines how geopolitical developments are no longer tangential to association leadership - they are central. Associations must evolve structurally and strategically, not only to stay relevant but to continue being forces of positive change in society. The insights provide a valuable roadmap for that journey."
Events and mobility: shifting strategies
Though just 27 per cent of respondents said political instability has directly disrupted their ability to organise events in Europe, 28 per cent have already moved their events to "more politically stable" regions.
Next steps and upcoming insights
This research marks the first release of findings from a larger study. A detailed white paper will follow, exploring the research and anecdotal responses in greater depth alongside the interconnected challenges of geopolitics, communications, technology, and association resilience.
Following successful past collaborations, The Hague and Partners Convention Bureau is also in the process of rolling the research out via Ottawa Tourism and its partners, with the intention of creating a globally rounded set of results to be released at IMEX America.
