The Inner Development Goals (IDG) initiative focuses on achieving a sustainable and secure future through conscious and sustainable human actions. While the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) define important aspects for a better future, their implementation often fails due to a lack of inner capabilities. The IDG initiative therefore offers a framework for developing these skills to empower people and organizations to achieve the SDGs. The focus is on the fact that real transformation begins with each individual—with their own attitude, personal values, and relationships with others—and in this way, collective intelligence and a more sustainable world can be promoted. This article highlights what the Inner Development Goals are in general, what sustainability goals exist, and what aspects the framework includes.
What are the Inner Development Goals?
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) are a global non-profit initiative founded in Stockholm in 2020 to support individuals and organizations in developing the inner capabilities and qualities necessary to achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative brings together people worldwide, particularly from the fields of knowledge and business, and aims to create a more sustainable global society. The IDGs offer a flexible framework for action that can be tailored to individual and organizational needs to promote a culture of sustainability. They provide various tools and resources such as books, articles, websites, workshops, retreats, and courses to support these goals.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are a comprehensive roadmap for a better and more sustainable future for all. They were created in 2015 and cover a broad spectrum of global challenges, including:
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Partnerships for the goals
This ambitious roadmap aims to improve living conditions worldwide by linking the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. By 2030, the SDGs are to be achieved in order to ensure that no one is left behind and that the world is set on a sustainable path.
The current relevance of IDGs
Despite extensive knowledge about the climate crisis, poverty, public health, and other social issues that are also addressed in the SDGs, there is often a lack of inner capacities to deal with the increasingly complex environment and its challenges. Although there is a clear vision of what needs to be done, progress is disappointing, as technical solutions and public policy alone are not sufficient. Current strategies often lack a precise understanding of which skills, qualities, or competencies need to be developed in individuals, groups, and organizations in order to successfully implement the SDGs. Fortunately, modern research shows that these inner capacities, which are required to complement and accelerate external approaches, can be developed. This formed the starting point for the “Inner Development Goals” initiative and at the same time highlights the relevance of this NGO.
The guiding principles of the Inner Development Goals
The Inner Development Goals offer an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development at a global level. This guide shows how effective advocates and sustainable change can be created through joy, simplicity, and continuous learning.
- Joy as a driver of engagement: The IDG initiative emphasizes the importance of fun and creativity in work. By celebrating progress in diverse ways, whether through art, music, or playful elements, it shows that seriousness does not have to mean boredom. Joy and engagement are essential in order to effectively advocate for the goals.
- Simplicity as the key: Research, experience, and continuous learning form the foundation of the IDG work. The most important task, however, is to communicate the results in an understandable way. The IDG framework and the methods must be easy to comprehend and apply in order to achieve broad acceptance.
- Connecting learning and living: The 23 skills and qualities of the IDG framework serve as an “employee handbook.” Everyone who works with the IDG initiative should internalize them. Openness to discussions and acknowledging mistakes are encouraged in order to support a shared learning and development journey.
- Promoting co-creation: The Inner Development Goals are based on the collective wisdom of different age groups and cultures. None of the skills or methods were newly invented; rather, a continuously evolving, open-source learning ecosystem is created. This ecosystem is built on listening, gathering, and connecting insights and represents an ongoing journey of co-creation with many participants.
- Developing a comprehensive ecosystem: The IDG initiative aims to create a complete ecosystem with many interdependent subsystems. The focus lies on collaborating with organizations, as they offer great potential to accelerate human growth and collective learning. This is an efficient way to reach many people and drive systemic change. However, the Inner Development Goals provide added value for people in every culture, namely: individuals, families, organizations, communities, humanity, and the planet.
By implementing these principles, sustainable change can be promoted and the inner capacities developed that are necessary to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The IDG initiative shows that through joy, simplicity, and shared learning, a significant contribution can be made to a sustainable future.
The IDG framework
The IDG framework simplifies the complex field of human development in order to support people in developing the inner capacities required for sustainable development
- to identify,
- to understand
- to communicate,
- to develop and
- to integrate.
Without a fundamental shift in human values and leadership capacities, external solutions to global challenges may be limited, too slow, or short-lived.
For this reason, the IDG framework was created as an essential roadmap to help people navigate and develop their inner lives in order to create external change. The IDG framework is based on interdisciplinary research and consists of five dimensions with 23 skills for human inner growth and development.
The development of the framework
In 2021, numerous conversations and meetings were organized with leaders, researchers, and experts from various sectors to identify which skills and qualities are most important for achieving the SDGs. The evaluation of over 1,000 responses led to the identification of 23 key competencies, which were structured into five dimensions in order to create an educational framework for inner growth and human development. This framework is also continuously being further developed.
The 5 areas of the framework
The IDG framework is divided into five central areas, which together comprise 23 specific skills and qualities. By systematically promoting these areas, the foundation for sustainable development is laid.
1. Being: Relationship to oneself
Developing a deep relationship with one’s own thoughts, feelings, and body fosters presence and intentional action. This helps to avoid reacting to complexity in a reactive way.
- Inner compass: A strong sense of responsibility and commitment to values and goals that serve the well-being of the whole.
- Integrity and authenticity: The ability to act honestly and sincerely.
- Openness and willingness to learn: An attitude of curiosity and the readiness to open up to change and grow.
- Self-awareness: The ability to reflect on one’s own thoughts, feelings, and desires, develop a realistic self-image, and regulate oneself.
- Presence: The ability to be present in the here and now without judgment.
2. Thinking: Cognitive skills
Developing the ability to adopt different perspectives and evaluate information is crucial for making wise decisions.
- Critical thinking: The ability to critically examine views and evidence.
- Complexity awareness: Understanding and dealing with complex conditions and causalities.
- Perspective skills: The ability to seek out and use different perspectives.
- Meaning-making: The ability to recognize patterns and structure the unknown.
- Long-term orientation and visions: The ability to formulate and maintain long-term visions.
3. Relating: Caring for others and the world
Appreciation and care for others, as well as a sense of connectedness, help to create more just systems.
- Appreciation: A sense of gratitude and joy toward others and the world.
- Connectedness: A strong sense of belonging to a larger whole.
- Humility: The ability to act in accordance with the needs of the situation.
- Empathy and compassion: The ability to approach others and oneself with kindness and compassion.
4. Collaborating: Social skills
The ability to involve stakeholders with different values and skills.
- Communication skills: The ability to listen to others, foster dialogue, and resolve conflicts constructively.
- Co-creation skills: The ability to build and develop cooperative relationships.
- Integrative mindset and intercultural competence: The willingness to embrace diversity and include people from different backgrounds.
- Trust: The ability to build and maintain trusting relationships.
- Mobilization skills: The ability to inspire others and mobilize them for shared goals.
5. Acting: Enabling change
Qualities such as courage and optimism help to break old patterns and act in uncertain times.
- Courage: The willingness to stand up for values and question existing structures.
- Creativity: The ability to develop original ideas and break conventional patterns.
- Optimism: The ability to maintain a positive attitude and confidence in the possibility of meaningful change.
- Perseverance: The ability to remain determined, even when it takes a long time for efforts to bear fruit.
The IDG framework provides valuable guidance for building the inner capacities required for sustainable development. By intentionally promoting these areas, individuals and organizations can make a meaningful contribution to positive global change.
Business partners of the IDG
The Inner Development Goals are gaining increasing traction in the business world, with the IDG having already attracted more than 50 global companies and institutional partners. These companies are working specifically on developing the inner capacities required for sustainable change. Best-practice examples from companies such as
- IKEA,
- Stena Line,
- Novartis,
- Google und
- Icebug
illustrate how the IDG framework is successfully integrated into everyday business practice. These case studies are particularly valuable for the continuous development and adaptation of leadership programs and demonstrate the positive impact of the IDGs on sustainable corporate governance.
Summary: The importance of the Inner Development Goals for a sustainable future
The Inner Development Goals, IDGs, represent an essential approach to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, of the United Nations. By fostering inner capacities and personal values in individuals and organizations, the IDGs can drive a profound transformation toward a sustainable and secure future. The IDGs provide a comprehensive framework tailored to the needs of people and organizations and promote a culture of sustainability. Practical examples from large companies demonstrate how these goals can be integrated into everyday business practice in order to create effective and long-term change. By combining joy, simplicity, and continuous learning, the IDG framework can serve as a catalyst for global transformation and contribute to creating a more sustainable world.