Strategically developing sustainability — a case study with the Goethe-Institut
How the Goethe-Institut switched its sustainability reporting to the complex requirements of the ESRS – with the tools and guidance of CSR Tools.
- Germany's globally active cultural institute
- Around 150 institutes in 99 countries
Initial situation: A global cultural player in transition
The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany's globally active cultural institute. With around 150 institutes in 99 countries, it promotes the German language, creates spaces for dialogue, and reaches millions of people each year through language courses, cultural programs, and educational formats. It is part of the Institute's self-image to build bridges; it strengthens democratic values and enables encounters between people from different walks of life and cultures.
Sustainability has been present at the Goethe-Institut for many years – programmatically, strategically and increasingly structurally. A systematic sustainability management system has been set up since 2020, initially based on the German Sustainability Code (DNK) and the indicators of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI indicators). The challenge of recent years: the switch to the complex requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
The further development of the DNK towards the ESRS was a central step in aligning reporting processes even more closely with international requirements and transparency principles, thereby ensuring the quality and comparability of sustainability reporting.
„The further development of the DNK towards the ESRS represents an important step in aligning our reporting processes even more closely with international requirements and transparency principles. This adaptation enables us to ensure the quality and comparability of our sustainability reporting."
Why CSR Tools? A pragmatic answer to complex requirements
In order to make the transformation towards ESRS efficient and structured, the Goethe-Institut decided to use several CSR Tools solutions. The pragmatic orientation was decisive:
The solutions had to be immediately applicable and integrate into existing work without great effort.
Instead of expensive ongoing commitments, the focus was on economically viable tools.
The mix of suitable tools and professional advice offered a coherent overall package.
In everyday use, the tools primarily serve data collection, analysis and the further development of sustainability indicators.
These CSR Tools products are in use
A structuring template for a well-founded introduction to the materiality assessment.
A systematic, comprehensible data basis for key figures and requirements.
Professional sparring at eye level for strategic further development.
Targeted support in communicating sustainability topics.
Impact: Contemporary sustainability reporting
By using CSR Tools, the Goethe-Institut was able to simplify central work processes in sustainability reporting. The following were particularly effective:
- Clear and efficient processes – the templates and data point lists facilitate internal data collection and create a uniform understanding of key figures and requirements.
- More quality in the process – CSR Tools served as a professional sparring partner, especially when transferring complex ESRS requirements to their own reporting.
- Satisfied internal stakeholders – the VSME data point list proved particularly helpful, especially in controlling, providing a systematic, comprehensible data basis.
The VSME data point list (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) has proven to be particularly helpful, especially in controlling. It provides a systematic, comprehensible data basis.
Particularly valuable, too, was the professional sparring on the question of how complex ESRS requirements can be transferred to their own reporting.
„We received targeted support in the 'translation' of the ESRS that we needed."
A look ahead: Sustainability as a lived practice
The Goethe-Institut not only makes sustainability the content of its cultural and educational programs; sustainability is a lived practice. The Goethe-Institut is committed to sustainable transformation and consciously understands this as an ongoing process and not as a one-off project. An external critical view and sparring at eye level is always an advantage from time to time.
The collaboration shows that even large, complex and internationally operating organizations can successfully navigate the transformation of ESRS requirements with clear, manageable tools and targeted content support. The mix of structured templates, professional sparring and appreciative collaboration provided the Goethe-Institut with exactly what it needed in this phase: orientation, simplification and quality.
„The collaboration with CSR Tools is characterized by appreciation and a proactive working style – constructive, cooperative and always at eye level."
Structure your materiality assessment and reporting – with the same practical solutions that the Goethe-Institut relies on.
