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DESIGN FOR
LIFE
OUR
MISSION

Simple black and white line drawing of Earth, showing continents. The illustration provides a basic representation of the planet without detailed features.

Economic, social and environmental crises have placed our world in a fragile, unbalanced and degenerative state.

Our mission is to enable people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony.

Our vision is for a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced and regenerative futures.

How are we achieving this?

We believe everyone has the potential and creativity to effect change.

We work with people throughout their lives, and across society, to achieve regenerative impact; from children and young people to entrepreneurs, businesses and communities.

Our approach to change involves many different disciplines and perspectives.

Our work focuses on three areas. These are:

Capabilities for Life

Change starts with supporting people to learn and lead. At the heart of Design for Life is the commitment to build the skills, connections and confidence people need to fulfil their potential.

A man in a denim shirt sits at a library table, holding a pencil and surrounded by books and papers. He looks towards the camera, with shelves of books and other people studying in the background.

Prosperous Places

Every person deserves to live in a vibrant community, with opportunities to thrive in a flourishing natural environment.

Two women sitting on a couch, laughing and holding mugs. One points to something off-camera. The background shows a window with bird designs and a sun-shaped pillow beside them. They are enjoying a relaxed and joyful moment together.

Social Infrastructure

We are aiming for systemic, long-term change. Design for Life develops and influences the conditions needed to enable people, communities and organisations to regenerate our world.

Five people are working in an office, each at a computer. Four are seated around a table with screens, while one person stands and talks. Headphones, books, and a coffee cup are visible on the table. The room has white walls and red carpet.

Discover more about our Design for Life mission by reading this blog series

How are we achieving our design for life mission?

Why us?

We are unique. We don’t just generate ideas; we act on them. The RSA has been turning world-leading ideas into world-changing actions since 1754. Our research and innovation has changed the hearts and minds of generations of people. Central to all our work are our mission-aligned Fellows; a global network of innovators and changemakers.

Explore our Circle community to engage with our work.

Engage with our Design for Life mission

Are you a Fellow? Be part of our Circle community and help us shape a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced, and regenerative futures.

Join the conversation
Simple illustration of a globe with black continents on a turquoise background. The continents appear sketch-like and are roughly outlined, representing a stylized version of Earth.

RSA Fellowship

The RSA Fellowship is a global network of changemakers enabling people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony. RSA Fellows have been at the forefront of significant social impact since 1754. We invite you to be part of this change.

Explore Fellowship
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Take a deeper diver into our Design for Life work

PRESS RELEASE

Groundbreaking commission to supercharge East Midlands launched

12 Nov 2024

The RSA and the East Midlands Combined County Authority have launched the Inclusive Growth Commission, which will identify and action radical plans to unleash potential and supercharge prosperity in communities across the East Midlands.

Wide view of Nottingham's Old Market Square at dusk, featuring the Council House with its domed roof, and surrounding illuminated buildings. The scene is reflected in the water in the foreground, adding a mirror-like effect.
REPORT

Creative Corridors: connecting clusters to unleash potential

24 Oct 2024
JOLYON MILES-WILSON HAYLEY SIMS TOM STRATTON BERNARD HAY EMILY HOPKINS

This report offers creative corridors as a mechanism for harnessing this growth. Our ambition is that creative corridors will stimulate economic growth by increasing linkages.

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Past RSA projects

Explore our recent work that brought us to this point.

Find out more