Short answers, pulled from the story.
The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development opened its doors in 1963 with a grant from the Government of the Netherlands. Jan Tinbergen served as the first Board Chair and received the Nobel Prize for economics in 1969.
Joakim Palme has held the chair since 2017 representing Sweden. The Board is headed by a Chairperson appointed directly by the UN Secretary-General.
Three major programmes shape the current agenda regarding inequalities conflict and unsustainable practices. These include Social Policy and Development, Gender and Development, and Social Dimensions of Sustainable Development.
UNRISD relies wholly on voluntary funding from governments development agencies and foundations. No money comes from the United Nations budget itself which guarantees independent status.
A small core staff located in Geneva coordinates an international network of collaborating researchers. This network currently numbers over 400 members with a large proportion hailing from the global South.