
Back2Basics
Platform
Sustainable transformation
starts with inner development
Challenge
In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all 193 UN member states. These ambitious goals serve as a roadmap for a sustainable and just world. However, nearly ten years later, we are falling behind. The desired progress is not being achieved. Why?
Extensive research involving more than 1.000 experts has shown that the biggest barrier lies within ourselves. Our behavior, choices, and patterns are preventing change. To effectively address the challenges of our time, we must develop ourselves and enhance our collective skills. It is from this necessity that the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) have emerged.
IDG Framework
Cultivating our inner life and developing and deepening our relationship to our thoughts, feelings and body help us be present, intentional and non-reactive when we face complexity.
- Inner Compass
- Integrity and Authenticity
- Openness and Learning Mindset
- Self-awareness
- Presence
Developing our cognitive skills by taking different perspectives, evaluating information and making sense of the world as an interconnected whole, is essential for wise decision-making.
- Critical Thinking
- Complexity Awareness
- Perspective Skills
- Sense-making
- Long-term Orientation and Visioning
Appreciating, caring for and feeling connected to others, such as neighbours, future generations or the biosphere, helps us create more just and sustainable systems and societies for everyone.
- Appreciation
- Connectedness
- Humility
- Sense-making
- Empathy and Compassion
To make progress on shared concerns, we need to develop our abilities to include, hold space and communicate with stakeholders with different values, skills and competencies.
- Communication Skills
- Co-creation Skills
- Inclusive Mindset and Intercultural Competence
- Trust
- Mobilisation Skills
Qualities such as courage and optimism help us acquire true agency, break old patterns, generate original ideas and act with persistence in uncertain times.
- Courage
- Creativity
- Optimism
- Perseverance
Our ambition
Our ambition
At Back2Basics Platform, we believe in the transformative power of the IDGs. Our ambition is to accelerate this movement and deeply embed it in how we view the development of individuals, teams, and organizations.
We aim to make the IDG framework accessible and integrate it into the public and social sectors. A shared perspective and a common language are the first steps toward making real progress together on a global scale.
What we do
At Back2Basics Platform, we create spaces where connection and growth are central. We do this by organizing events.
Moments of connection


IDGs within your
organization
About us
Back2Basics Platform is an independent foundation and a proud IDG HUB. Our team consists of passionate professionals who believe in the power of development and collaboration. Together, we work towards a world where inner growth is the key to sustainable change.
Want to learn more or join our mission? Contact us and become part of the movement!
- Marjon Kaper
- Hein Veerman
- Johan Vermeulen
- Jeroen Brink
- Karin Pannekoek
- Hans van Egdom
- Berend Rubingh
- Jan van der Werf
- Chantal Kling
- Sjors Brouwer
- Marleen van Engelen