Who We Are.

The Inner Development Goals (IDG) is a non-profit and open source initiative. We are a Global Community of Practice with 800+ Hubs & Networks around the world, that advocate for inner development and enables its integration into society.

This living document gathers information about the IDG Foundation and its latest purpose, vision, mission, theory of change, guiding principles and strategy for 2025. You will also find here the Inner Development Guide and some graphics and slides that are free to use.

If you want to get involved - join the IDG learning community an as a Corporate or Institutional Partner or one of many IDG Hubs & Networks to be part of our bi-yearly “ALL Stakeholders Meetings”. ��Welcome to co-create with us!

Co-founding partners of the Inner Development Goals Foundation:.

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

BUSINESS PARTNERS

WHAT ARE THE IDGs?

Sustainable Development Goals

​​A global agenda to address pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges

Inner Development Goals

A global community of practice inspired by �the Inner Development Guide for the skills and capacities needed to address the challenges

VISION

MISSION

PURPOSE

We bring the power �of inner development� to global challenges �faced by humanity.

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A world where inner development is unlocking our potential to build a flourishing future for people and planet

We are a global learning community that advocates for inner development and enables its integration� into society.

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Purpose, vision, mission:.

Disconnection from Societal Challenges - Efforts to address global challenges often focus solely on external, systemic interventions, overlooking the inner capacities and cultural shifts needed for lasting change. At the same time, many secular conscious communities and personal development movements emphasize individual growth and well-being but remain disengaged from pressing societal issues. Without bridging these gaps—integrating inner development with real-world problem-solving — its transformative potential remains largely untapped.�

Widespread Misunderstanding and Prejudice - Inner development is often dismissed as irrelevant, soft, or esoteric in many organizations, academic settings, NGOs, and government institutions. A dominant rationalist worldview assumes that knowledge alone drives behavior change, underestimating the role of emotions, transformative skills, and collective cultural norms. There is also a misconception that only individuals or groups with psychological or cultural problems need to engage in inner development.

�Fragmentation of the Field - Despite the long history of inner development practices, the field at large remains highly fragmented, lacking a shared language and frameworks. Different approaches, methods, and disciplines operate in silos, with very specific language and barriers for entering, preventing a cohesive movement from emerging.

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Exclusive Access and Structural Barriers - Inner development is often limited to elite groups, such as top executives in large organizations, through leadership development and talent management programs. There are significant barriers to wider accessibility, including a lack of awareness, insufficient high-quality training at scale and gatekeepers’ limited understanding of its relevance.

A Missing Ecosystem for Inner Development - There is no large-scale, structured effort to integrate inner development into mainstream institutions, policymaking, and education, leaving it scattered and underutilized. The field has been lacking a unifying vision, shared frameworks, and networks to make inner development more credible, accessible and actionable across sectors.

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The Barriers of Inner Development for Societal Change

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

�A MINDSET

SHIFT

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COMMUNITIES �OF PRACTICE

CATALYTIC �IMPACT

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that support learning, capacity building and exchange of best and emerging practices that connects the inner and outer transformation - for the benefit of the future generations �and the planet.

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demonstrated through �new multi-stakeholder coalitions, cases with regenerative benefits and ultimately changes in policies. Open source tools, where inner development becomes catalytic for systemic impact.

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where people see the psychological and cultural root causes of the polycrisis (that is, our interacting social, political and ecological crises) and are thus able to create more hope and agency by addressing challenges at a deep enough level.

OUTCOMES

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PROBLEM

STATEMENT

MISSION

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OUTPUTS

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IMPACT

VISION

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Prioritisation

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An increased value placed on inner development increases time and resource investment

More prevalent knowledge about theory and practice aids rationale, design and resource allocation

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Understanding

Connection

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Closer communities of practice and support enable consistency and deepening of inner development

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Access

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Better, more affordable access to quality methods increases adoption and effectiveness

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We are unable to effectively tackle the world’s ‘adaptive’ problems, like sustainable development, �in part because we lack the individual and collective inner capabilities and skills to do so.

We are a global movement that advocates for inner development and enables its integration into society.

The widespread integration of inner development enables society to more effectively work with adaptive problems.

A world where inner development is unlocking our power to build a flourishing future for people and planet.

A Narrative Shift Embracing Inner Development

Simplification, Translation & �A Global Language

Research �Co-creation Networks

Experiential Learning, Art & Co-creation

Advocacy for Structural &� Policy Changes

Field & Community Building

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Prioritisation

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Understanding

Connection

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Access

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Our Core Beliefs - of the co-founding organisations

Inner Development is Necessary — Though not Sufficient

Inner Development Should Be Accessible to Many


Simple Communication
is Required for Widespread Awareness

Servant and Catalytic Leadership
is Most Appropriate

We believe that inner development is not only possible but profoundly beneficial. It has the potential to enhance personal well-being, collaboration, strengthen societies, and contribute to planetary sustainability. It may even be a necessary—though not sufficient—condition for the survival of democracy and humanity as a whole.

In a democratic society, this understanding and practice cannot remain confined to a small intellectual elite - like in leadership development. Broad societal dialogue and widespread awareness and practice are essential to catalyze meaningful change and ensure a democratic process. Policymakers, institutions, and grassroots communities all have a role to play in ensuring equal access to inner development opportunities worldwide.

Achieving widespread awareness of the role of inner development for sustainability and related action-taking of the role of inner development for sustainability and related action-taking requires adaptable communication strategies that dare to simplify. These must connect with diverse audiences while complementing—not replacing—more complex, nuanced communication and understandings.

Our initiative must be a co-creative and bottom-up movement. We harbour no long-term ambition to lead this initiative. In fact, we believe that leadership should ultimately come from elsewhere. Our primary concern is the urgency of the work and the recognition that no other entity is currently advancing related shifts in discourses, approaches and collective actions at scale. Like any effective NGO, our ultimate aim is to make our efforts redundant.

Our Core Beliefs - of the co-founding organisations

The Nature of Inner Development is Complex

Embracing Tensions will Enable Collaboration

A Pluralistic Approach
will Best Serve a Diverse Field

Inner development is inherently multidimensional, nonlinear, emergent, messy and complex. A common misconception is that inner equals individual, while it is rather collective and systemic. While it cannot be controlled, it can be supported and facilitated, by offering more people the opportunity to reflect and grow, especially through organizations, different institutions and with the help of policy work.

We acknowledge that the field of inner development is laced with tensions arising from differing methods, philosophies, and perspectives. Our role is not to take a stance or resolve these tensions but to provide opportunities for critical and constructive dialogue and collaboration to advance related knowledge and applications of inner development at large.

The IDG Framework was created to point more people toward the diverse field of inner development. However, we do not aim to privilege any single framework, model or method for understanding or nurturing inner development—whether psychological, spiritual, or cultural. In order to provide some guidance in a complex field, we support the dissemination of scientifically validated approaches while acknowledging the importance of integrating different knowledge systems, including indigenous wisdom traditions. We also support communities in sharing good and emergent practices, tools and innovations with each other using the IDG Framework as a sensemaking, reflection and communications tool.

The question we are exploring:

What are the necessary guiding principles that support how to advocate and integrate inner development for outer change?

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September;Principles Working Group Sessions

Unconference@�2025 Summit

WE ARE UPDATING OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES - scan code!

We Are on a Journey of Co-Creation

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We Learn From Differences

We Design for Regeneration

We Create Space for Wonder

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We Turn Knowing into Impact

The IDG Principles v2

We Are on a Journey of Co-Creation

Contributing to an open-source ecosystem where �we create, share, and connect.

We Learn From Differences

Valuing diverse perspectives and daring to listen and learn in a way that enables others to do the same.

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We Design for Regeneration

Cultivating ways of working that care for the �commons and helps people and nature thrive.

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We Create Space for Wonder

Embracing the unknown and making space for �the full range of the human experience.

We Turn Knowing into Impact

Using accessible language and trustworthy sources help insights travel, take root and lead to meaningful change.

There are many ways these principles could have been shaped — this is simply one expression among countless possibilities.

Their purpose is to invite dialogue, reflection, and co-creation across diverse contexts.

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We hope they spark curiosity and meaningful exchange, and that they are helpful when �exploring how inner development can meaningfully support outer change.

Better Leaders

Stronger ESG Integration

Healthier, More Productive Employees

Stronger Employer Brand

Inner Development

Attract & Retain

Top Talent

Sustainable, Future-Ready

Organizations

Sharper Decision-Making

& Stronger Teams

Higher Performance

& Retention

IDG partners understand that Inner Development is a �strategic and systemic investment – example of benefits:

Leadership Development Programs

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Embedding self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven decision-making.

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Cultural Integration

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Making Inner Development

part of company values,

Mission, & everyday work.

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Learning & Development

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Offering workshops, �coaching, and peer learning opportunities.

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Employee

Well-Being Initiatives

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Mindfulness, resilience training,

and psychological safety.

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Innovation & Change Management

Embedding self-reflection and conscious decision-making in transformation strategies..

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Performance &

Talent Management

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Measuring success beyond KPIs. focusing on leadership

growth and adaptability.

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ESG & Corporate Responsibility

Aligning leadership development

with ethical, sustainable, and purpose-driven business.

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IDG Partner companies collaborate to embed inner

development in policies, practices and processes…

…creating sustainable change

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Transformative

Skills Guide

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climateliteracy.earth

IDG Survey 2025 - 21 000+ people from 194 countries:

What qualities, abilities or skills do we need to develop to build a sustainable future for people and planet?

Building Trust and

Working Together

Caring for Others

and the World

Understanding

Our Complex World

Cultivating Our

Inner Life

Collaborating

Relating

Thinking

Being

Acting

Leading and

Enabling Change

Inclusive Mindset & Intercultural Competence

Communication Skills

Co-creation Skills

Mobilization Skills

Connectedness

Appreciation

Empathy & Compassion

Humility

Forgiveness

Perspective Skills

Critical Thinking

Long-term Orientation �& Visioning

Systems Thinking

Creativity

Integrity & Authen­ti­ci­ty

Inner Compass

Self-Awareness

Openness & �Learning Mindset

Presence

Hope & Optimism

Courage

Proactivity

Conscious Use �of Resources

Resilience

Relationship-Building Skills

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Being:�Cultivating Our Inner Life

Inner Compass

A deeply felt commitment to live and act in accordance with values and purposes that serve the good of the whole. �

Integrity and Authen­ti­ci­ty

A sincere commit­ment to honesty and firmly grounded values, expressed and embodied in action.�

Openness and Learning Mindset

A curious, adaptive attitude expressed through willingness to exchange perspectives, be vulnerable, welcome change, and grow.�

Self-Awareness

Ability to be in reflective con­tact with thoughts, emotions, desires, and actions; to maintain �a realistic self-image and to regulate oneself. �

Presence

Capacity to be fully present in the here and now, to accept reality as it unfolds, and to respond in meaningful ways.�

Deepening our awareness of inner experiences and their dynamic relationship with the world around us nurtures embodied presence, clarity of purpose, and thoughtful responses when we face complexity.

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Critical Thinking

Ability to reflect on the validity of ideas, evidence, assumptions and plans. ��

Perspective Skills

Ability to learn from diverse perspectives and integrate insights into reflective sense-making and action.�

Systems Thinking

Ability to understand complexity and work with the inter­connections and proper­ties of systems. ��

Long-Term Orientation and Visioning

Imagining long-term goals and staying committed to them in ways that support broader societal and ecological well-being.�

Creativity

Ability to think outside conventional patterns, imagine new possibilities, and shape them into transformative ideas.

Thinking�Understanding Our Complex World

Expanding clarity, considering diverse perspectives, and imagining long-term consequences help us navigate complexity and make wiser decisions in our interconnected world.

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Connecting with kindness, compassion, and a sense of shared belonging to communities, the living planet, and future generations helps us to create a more just, inclusive, and flourishing world.

Relating�Caring for Others and the World

Appreciation

Relating to people and planet Earth with a deep sense of gratitude, positive regard, and joy. �

Connectedness

Feeling a sense of belonging to a larger whole, such as humanity, the planet’s web of life, �and the spiritual dimensions of existence.�

Humility

Being able to respond to the needs of the situation without concern for one’s own importance. �

Empathy and Compassion

Connecting to others, oneself, and nature �with kindness, care, and love, guided by �the intention to reduce suffering.�

Forgiveness

Willingness to transcend hostility, work through trauma, and create space for healing.

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Collaborating�Building Trust and Working Together

Developing relationships of trust, acknowledging diverse values, skills, and perspectives, and creating safe spaces enables everyone to contribute to shared purposes and collective impact.

Relationship-Building Skills

Nurturing relationships with emotional intelligence grounded in trust, respect, mutual understanding, �and a spirit of collaboration.�

Inclusive Mindset and Intercultural Competence

Willingness and competence to embrace diversity �and include people and communities with different perspectives and backgrounds.�

Co-Creation Skills

Facilitating collaborative processes with diverse stakeholders, fostering teamwork and psychological safety, and being aware of power dynamics.�

Communication Skills

Ability to listen deeply, foster genuine dialogue, advocate one’s views skillfully, manage conflicts construct­ively �and adapt commu­ni­ca­tion to diverse groups.�

Mobilization Skills

Inspiring and enabling others to engage in shared purposes and collective action.  

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Acting�Leading and Enabling Change

Moving forward with courage and optimism, building collective agency, and acting with purpose and persistence turns visions into meaningful change in uncertain times.

Courage

Standing up for fundamental values, making decisions, taking action, and, when needed, questioning and disrupting established structures and views.�

Hope and Optimism

Building and sustaining a shared belief in our capacity to create a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.�

Conscious Use of Resources

Acting with awareness of the planet’s limited natural resources, prioritizing conservation, regeneration, and frugality to avoid harmful consumption.�

Proactivity

Practicing future-oriented, accountable stewardship in the face of urgent challenges, grounded in solidarity and care for human dignity and the living Earth.�

Resilience

Navigating adversity with agility, staying engaged, and persevering even when progress is slow or uncertain.

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