What is the Inner Green Deal?
The Inner Green Deal is all about sustainability from within. It’s a mission-driven non-profit based in Cologne and Brussels, with a growing global community of changemakers. The project supports individuals and organizations in deepening their impact through inner-led transformation. By cultivating the inner capacities needed for meaningful action on the climate and ecological crisis, it aims to spark change that starts inside and ripples outward. It’s not just about external solutions but nurturing awareness, compassion, and courage as the foundation for real, lasting change.
Main Benefits and Key Facts
So, what makes the Inner Green Deal stand out? Here are some key figures and facts that highlight its impact:
- Founded in 2020, with ongoing collaboration with Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS) in Sweden, a global leader in environmental research.
- Offers evidence-based programmes with in-depth pre and post-programme evaluations to measure real impact.
- Close partnership with Professor Christine Wamsler, a pioneer in inner transformation research for systemic change.
- Recognized as one of the first 30 official partners of the European Climate Pact, delivering workshops, nature walks, and leadership programmes across Europe.
- Connected to the Inner Development Goals Initiative, aligning inner capabilities with accelerating progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Part of the UNDP’s Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA), fostering inner capacities in food and agriculture systems for systemic regeneration.
Transformation Begins Within
At the heart of the Inner Green Deal is the belief that transformation starts inside each of us. By cultivating timeless qualities like awareness, compassion, and courage, the project lays the groundwork for change—not just on an individual level but collectively and systemically. It’s about tuning into what really matters, clearing the mind, opening the heart, and then stepping forward with courage, even when things feel complex or uncertain. This inner work is the secret sauce for meaningful climate action.
Nature as a Guide
Nature isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a teacher. The Inner Green Deal draws inspiration from natural patterns and principles to help people live and lead with greater balance, resilience, and wisdom. Observing how ecosystems thrive, adapt, and regenerate offers powerful lessons for human systems. This approach encourages a deeper connection with the natural world, fostering leadership that’s grounded in harmony rather than control.
Committed to Action
Clear minds and open hearts lead to courageous action. The Inner Green Deal emphasizes that when people are aligned internally, they can act boldly—even in the face of complexity and uncertainty. It’s not about waiting for perfect conditions but stepping up with confidence and compassion. This commitment to action is woven through all their programmes and partnerships, empowering changemakers to make a tangible difference.
Project Impact and SDG Connections
- Supports progress on multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering inner capacities essential for systemic change.
- Partners with the Inner Development Goals Initiative, which provides a global framework linking inner development to SDG acceleration.
- Contributes to climate action (SDG 13) through leadership programmes and community engagement.
- Advances sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12) via collaborations like the Conscious Food Systems Alliance.
- Encourages partnerships for the goals (SDG 17) by building networks of dedicated changemakers and organizations.
Research and Partnerships
The Inner Green Deal’s work is deeply rooted in science and collaboration. Since 2020, it has partnered with Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, benefiting from rigorous evaluations and co-publishing research that deepens understanding of inner transformation’s role in systemic change. The project also works closely with leading researchers like Professor Christine Wamsler, ensuring its programmes are evidence-based and impactful. Its network of partners shares a commitment to a sustainable and regenerative future, making this a truly collective effort.
