The very-high-energy gamma-ray sky can be surveyed on a daily basis by particle-detector arrays at high (mountain) elevation. In the northern hemisphere the survey recently conducted by the HAWC gamma-ray observatory significantly enriched our knowledge about TeV gamma-ray sources. In this contribution, we will present an overview on the effort to realise a next-generation gamma-ray survey observatory in the southern hemisphere. We will discuss the unique science case for this observatory and how it will be embedded in the multi-messenger and multi-wavelength census of the non-thermal universe. In addition, we will introduce the newly founded international organisation that aims to realise this facility: The Southern Wide field-of-View Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO) collaboration.