The International Sustainability Academy (ISA) is where changemakers from the Global South come to ignite bold ideas—and turn them into real-world solutions. From climate resilience to social innovation, ISA fellows bring their projects to Hamburg, Germany, and return home equipped to drive measurable impact in their communities.

We believe in more than just collaboration: We believe in shared responsibility.

ISA was created in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global call for developed nations to support their counterparts in the Global South. This commitment, recognized by the United Nations, affirms that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires leadership, solidarity, and resources especially those with the capacity to give more.

Since 2019, 95 fellows from 41 countries have been part of ISA, reaching over 1 million people across the globe with innovative, sustainability-focused projects.

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) until 2024, ISA has faced a temporary funding pause due to broader economic challenges across Europe. Yet the mission lives on—stronger than ever. Today, ISA is powered by a dynamic Alumni Network spanning over 80 changemakers in 41+ DAC countries. These alumni collaborate across borders, exchange knowledge, and run transformative projects under self-organized subnetworks.

And we’re growing:

ISA now includes international volunteering and impact holiday programs, inviting even more people to be part of the solution.

“ISA is Germany’s strongest tool in supporting DAC countries in implementing the SDGs.” — Jointly agreed upon by our Fellows