Problem statement: Despite years of dedication, sustainability efforts haven't yet secured enduring well-being for all, as current initiatives fall short of the transformative changes needed for a thriving future. This is because there is too little attention is given to what happens inside people and how it affects their behavior. We must transform our inner selves to better grasp the roots of social and environmental problems. We're calling for more attention to be paid to our inner world, such as our way of thinking, our values, and how we view the world. This affects how we imagine a better future and what steps we take towards it. Just like the imaginal cells inside a caterpillar, that hold the blueprint for transforming into a butterfly, we believe that everyone holds the power to unlock their true potential.

Proposed solution: Rather than facilitating an incubator aimed at the development of business- and ideas, Imaginal Cells is a project aimed at facilitating a “soulcubator”: an incubator for personal and spiritual development, fostering the growth of one's inner essence and soul. Imaginal Cells cultivates a space for youngsters to explore and nurture their deepest selves, fostering a sense of inner wholeness and well-being. And afterwards, from this place from within, create new ideas to change the world. And connect young people with a social enterprise funding community and experts to seriously scale their initiatives.

Target group: Youngsters between 15-30 years old.

Main milestones of the project of this year: (Next year milestones are still in development)

- June ‘23: Define strategy with partners (Founders of JustDiggit, Dance4Life, Glocalities)
- Sept ‘23: Pitch Idea at Triodos bank (to understand appetite of investors) -> it’s confirmed!!
- Oct ‘23: Have 1st workshop during Amsterdam hub retreat. -> 30 shapers reached and a success!!
- Nov ‘23: Onboard more hubs in Bilbao (aiming 5-10)
- Dec/Jan ’23/’24: Have a Netherlands-wide event of Shaping Imaginal cells (50-100 people)
- Dec/Jan ’23/’24: Create scalable templates for worldwide sessions for other hubs
- Feb-Dec ‘24: Have quarterly national events targeting larger and larger audience (50-500 people)

Short term goals (this year)
- Have test event within Amsterdam hub (DONE, reaching 30 shapers)
- Have 3-4 NL wide events, engaging 50-500 youngsters
- Support minimally 10 other hubs across Europe to organize their local events
- Collaborate with hubs to create replicable and scalable events; for the next step of bigger global expansion

Long term goals:
Create a global movement empowering youngsters to become themselves and change-makers, through inspiration (platform to discover your potential), education (by experts, coaches and facilitators) and activation (development of impact ideas and funding community to scale impact). With the following impact in the years to come.

- 10+ million people reached
- 20+ million euros in trust fund
- 10.000+ successful ideas

Project metrics
#People reached
#NPS score of participants
#partnerships with institutions, and organisations
#social media engagement
€euro in trust fund
#successful ideas launched

So far we ran a first pilot reaching 30 youngsters. Which was a success!

Collaborators
- Utrecht & The Hague hub
- Dennis Karpes (YGL and founder JustDiggit and Dance4Life)
- Josine Bakkes (Shaper alumni, founder Salzburg hub, entrepreneur)
- Martijn Lampert (founder of Glocalities; global social scientist)

And more to mention here, and more to come…