IED’s identity is shaped every day by the vital contribution of its community. Students, lecturers, staff, Alumni and external partners are both the beneficiaries of the Institute’s activities and the inspiration behind its mission.
The goal is to foster an ecosystem in which every talent can find the conditions to grow, feel welcomed, valued and supported throughout their journey.
Wellbeing, welfare, education, health and safety, inclusion, equal opportunities and the prevention of all forms of discrimination, scholarships that open doors to talent, and research projects that explore the future: different initiatives united by a single vision, that of being a major transnational creative laboratory, a space for experimentation that courageously places individuals and their uniqueness at its heart.
Scholarships for students
Ensuring access to higher education is a fundamental pillar of a community’s cultural and social development
SDG 10 reduced inequalities - SDG 4 quality education
Ensuring access to higher education is a fundamental pillar of a community’s cultural and social development. It means investing in individual potential in order to generate lasting collective benefits. Indeed, an inclusive education system fosters innovation and promotes equity, enriching the productive and creative landscape through a diversity of voices and talents. To translate this principle into concrete action, IED offers an extensive system of scholarships and financial support schemes each year, awarded on the basis of both merit and financial need, making its programmes accessible to a larger number of students. For the 2024/2025 academic year, IED’s commitment to broadening access to education was once again reflected in substantial financial support. Complementing the initiatives provided under the Italian Right to Higher Education framework (DSU), the Institute allocated more than €2.6 million to support the educational journeys of 450 young talents, enabling them to enrol in Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes.
Wellbeing for the community
SDG 3 good health and wellbeing
IED Community is at the heart of every strategy and initiative undertaken by the Group. Students and the wider community represent the Institute’s primary beneficiaries of the impact it generates and are the key recipients of activities related to its educational offering, services, research and Third Mission initiatives.
Alongside students, who are the primary internal beneficiaries of IED’s educational activities, the Community also includes lecturers, employees and external beneficiaries, namely businesses and the broader communities with which the Institute engages.
SDG 3 good health and wellbeing
The Counselling Service for employees and students was established to provide an additional resource in the area of personal wellbeing, in line with the belief that mental health is as important as physical health. The service, delivered by professional psychologists and available across all campuses, can be used to address a wide range of issues, whether related to work at IED or to personal life. The service fulfils multiple functions and offers different forms of support, ranging from self-awareness and personal development pathways to psychological support and coaching. It may be used for personal and individual purposes and/or to discuss, including with colleagues, interpersonal situations or the management of dysfunctional dynamics related to the workplace.
SDG 8 decent work and economic growth – SDG 5 gender equality
Aware of the importance of ensuring that its employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, while reconciling organisational performance with personal wellbeing, the IED Group is committed to providing a range of welfare initiatives, both internal and external. - Health insurance coverage for the reimbursement of medical expenses.
- Smart Working Policy and Supplementary Company Agreement
- Parental leave and family-related leave entitlements
- Right to education and study support
- Discounts and agreements with local businesses
- Access to 730 tax return assistance for employees
SDG 4 quality education
Employee training is a central element of the IED Group’s strategy. In 2024/2025, the training plan included 5,600 hours of learning activities focused on strengthening managerial competencies, with dedicated programmes on team management and performance enhancement, as well as leadership development centred on the drivers of change. At the same time, upskilling initiatives were designed to strengthen transferable skills in areas such as Agile Project Management, time management, language training, public speaking and software proficiency. The effectiveness of these initiatives was confirmed through a participatory course evaluation system, which recorded a high level of appreciation among participants, with an average satisfaction score of 7.9 out of 10.
Gender equality and inclusion policies
SDG 5 gender equality
By its very mission, IED is an inclusive system that values diversity and stands against gender-based violence. This commitment is reflected consistently across its entire community, including students, lecturers and staff, through initiatives addressed to all groups, complemented by targeted measures designed to respond to the specific needs of different stakeholders.
SDG 5 gender equality
The Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is a tool introduced by the European Commission to support gender equality processes within European organisations. Its purpose is to foster equitable working environments in which all talents can thrive, while also integrating the gender dimension more effectively into projects aimed at enhancing the quality of research and increasing the societal relevance of the knowledge, technologies and innovations produced. IED has embraced this commitment for many years. Women represent more than two-thirds of the Institute’s workforce, with a strong female presence also in senior leadership and management positions. Furthermore, people-related policies are characterised by a specific focus on gender equality, inclusion and welfare. Building on this already positive context, IED has published its first Gender Equality Plan, providing a transparent framework for setting new objectives and monitoring progress. This marks a further step in formalising the Institute’s commitment to promoting gender equality and identifying and addressing bias.
SDG 10 reduced inequalities
The Inclusion & Plurality Office was established in response to a 50% increase since 2018 in the number of IED students with certified learning difficulties. IED’s objective is to recognise and enhance the individual abilities of all students, including those with Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), Special Educational Needs (SEN), and those belonging to transgender or gender non-conforming (GNC) communities, while more broadly promoting an inclusive environment and raising awareness across the community. The Inclusion & Plurality Office supports students from the point of enrolment through to the completion of their studies, offering personalised learning plans (PLPs), tutoring services, study support and assistance during examinations. This initiative forms part of IED’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and plurality and contributes to strengthening its gender equality policies alongside projects such as the introduction of the Alias Career scheme for students and staff, the Counselling Service, and the adoption of the Gender Equality Plan.
Since 2020, IED has been a member of Fondazione Libellula, a network of organisations united in combating violence against women and gender-based discrimination, with the aim of developing projects and initiatives for employees and contributing to the promotion of a culture founded on respect.
Membership of the network formalises IED’s long-standing commitment to gender equality policies, also reflected in its latest Supplementary Company Agreement (CIA). These measures include preferential access to enhanced Smart Working arrangements, where roles allow remote working, for employees with family or caregiving responsibilities; flexible working hours and the possibility of part-time employment; an expanded benefits package for managers; extended coverage under the contractual health insurance scheme for all employees; and the provision of an additional month of paid leave for women who are victims of violence.
IED’s participation in the Libellula Network is also reflected in the training and awareness-raising webinars offered to staff on key topics in the prevention of gender-based violence, including unconscious stereotypes and biases, respectful language and communication, harassment prevention, and the culture of consent and care.
SDG 4 quality education
To educate designers who can act as genuine agents of change, IED adopts an integrated approach that combines ethics, technical expertise and innovation, preparing conscious and responsible professionals. This commitment is reflected in the continuous involvement of the community in projects with a strong social and environmental impact, designed to generate value for society and raise students’ awareness of sustainability issues through practical, hands-on experiences.
Progetti svolti:
Cortometraggi OffiCine (in Italian language)
A occhi chiusi
Complex Realities
Third Mission
Research activities are a fundamental driver for IED in the creation of new knowledge and in fostering meaningful connections between the academic community, the business sector and a wide range of professional contexts. Characterised by a strong international and European dimension, research projects address key challenges such as social cohesion, the digital and ecological transitions, and collective wellbeing, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Over the next two years, IED will play a leading role in major research projects promoted by the European Union.
Focus on the Compasso d'oro
A significant example of this vision is the recent awarding of the Compasso d’Oro to IED, the most prestigious recognition in Italian design, granted to the project The Glitch Camp in the “Design for Social Impact” category. Conceived as a creative response to the challenge of access to accommodation for young people during Milan Design Week, the project transformed a critical issue into an opportunity for inclusion, exchange and participation. In its latest edition, it hosted approximately 1,000 students from 45 different nationalities. This recognition confirms the ethical value, educational excellence and ability of IED to develop innovative projects that generate a positive impact on the community.
