169 to 1
“It starts with you.”
- David Hudson
Sustainability Made Simple… with 3 easy steps…
Selection
Activation
Accreditation
One Institution. One Target. One Commitment.
This is how 0.01% of the world can cause a ripple to effect change
Engaging with 169,000 institutions. Reducing 169 targets to 1 target. Committing to 60 months of action.
That’s how we activate the SDGs, without dilution or distraction, and from dormancy to a real possibility of growth for the future within the next 5 years.
What is 169 to 1?
169 to 1 is a global challenge built on a simple idea:
There are 169 Targets comprised of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We’re asking each institution to take responsibility for one.
Not all of them. Not even a handful. Just one target, chosen carefully, acted on locally, and followed through for the next five years.
This isn’t a campaign. It’s not a brand. It’s a structure for action. A way for schools, colleges, universities, businesses (SMEs), NGOs, and youth programmes to stop waiting and start doing, in a way that fits what they can actually deliver.
It’s practical. It’s measurable. And it’s built to scale.
What does it mean to choose One Target?
It means stopping for a moment and asking yourself: What can we actually do?
Not in theory. Not in the future. Now.
With the people, time, and resources you already have. If you run a school, maybe it’s making sure no student goes hungry. If you run a business, maybe it’s cutting down waste or paying people fairly. If you’re in an NGO, maybe it’s helping families find safe shelter. If you’re in a youth group, maybe it’s cleaning up your local water source.
You’re not fixing the whole world. You’re doing one thing well, and sticking with it.
That’s what this is. A real choice. A real start. Global initiative with Local action.
What support is available?
We don’t drop tools in your inbox and walk away. And we are not a faceless application or interface. We are here to guide you, and work together.
Our process starts with a personal introduction. We sit down with you, in person or online, and use the 169to1 Target Selector™ to help you identify the SDG Target that best fits your values, your community, and your capacity to act. It’s not public-facing. It’s not automated. It’s human.
Once a target is chosen, we move to the Feasibility and Urgency Traffic light Tool. This second step brings your chosen target back into focus, in plain English, and helps you weigh what’s possible, what’s needed, and how soon action is required.
From there, we help you define a scalable, local initiative. Something you can start now, grow over time, and measure honestly. No jargon. No guesswork. Just a clear path from idea to action.
What does it mean to activate your Target?
Choosing a target is only the start. Activation is where your institution turns that choice into something real. It means deciding not just what matters, but how you plan to respond. Every institution is different, so we provide a flexible structure to help you shape your own five-year action plan around your selected goal. That plan might include student-led projects, internal policy changes, partnership work, or community engagement. What matters is that the work is genuine, visible, and tied to something measurable.
You won’t be left to figure it out on your own. The 169 to 1 framework gives you the tools, templates, and support you need to get going. You’ll receive guidance based on your sector, your capacity, and the level of ambition you’re ready to commit to. Activation is not about doing everything. It’s about doing something with intent, with structure, and with support.
And once you start, you’ll see how one target can shift culture, unlock momentum, and create a ripple others can follow.
How will your work be recognised?
When your institution takes action, it deserves to be seen. Accreditation gives you a way to document that effort and share it with the world. As you meet key milestones on your five-year journey, your work will be recognised through digital credentials powered by Credly. These are secure, verified badges that confirm what you’ve done, how you’ve done it, and why it matters.
Credly badges are already used by leading universities, companies, and professional bodies across the globe. Now, your SDG efforts will join that ecosystem. Each badge can be added to your website, your LinkedIn page, your grant applications, or your internal reports. It’s not just about marketing. It’s about clarity, accountability, and recognition. Whether you're a school, a business, a youth programme, or an NGO, these credentials offer a public record of your contribution to sustainable development, one that is portable, credible, and future-facing.
Accreditation doesn’t come from ticking a box. It comes from doing the work. And now, the world can see you’ve done it.