The current experiences of a crisis-ridden world have fundamentally shaken many people's beliefs and trust in a better future. This triggers negative feelings of fear and helplessness and has a massive impact on mental health, especially among young people. Against this background, the question is whether there is still reason for hope and, if so, what keeps our hope alive. How we look into the future—whether with confidence, fear, or indifference—will determine how we feel, think, and act in the present, both individually and as a community. Based on the existential and multi-layered nature of hope, we present an interdisciplinary approach to studying individual and collective hope in diverse cultural contexts. The presentation integrates concepts of positive psychology, futures studies, and pragmatist philosophy into a comprehensive model. The proposed concept seeks to honor the fundamental nature of hope by considering the diversity of situations in which people can hope and being sensitive to different cultural worldviews and values. We report on research findings gathered from the International Hope Barometer Research Program in several countries, which offers valuable insights into people's expectations for the future, their hopes and fears for both individual and collective futures, and their psychological and social well-being.