Enabling individuals and collectives around the world to cultivate a worldview and capabilities that centre the wellbeing of people, places and our planet.

Introducing the Capabilities for Life framework

Capabilities extend beyond our skills and knowledge. They include our inner drive to take positive action and make decisions that align with our purpose, especially as we navigate complexity. The way we see the world (through our perspectives) and the values we stand for shape our behaviours. Industries and collectives across the world are recognising these life-centric perspectives and values as more important markers of our growth than just transient role- or task-specific skills.

A life-centric curriculum and capabilities framework

The Capabilities for Life framework builds on Sir Ken Robinson’s 8Cs for human flourishing to propose the capabilities for Life flourishing. Across a spectrum from individualistic, to human-centric to life-centric, each 'C' or capability shows up in unique ways to shape an individual or collective mindset, then behaviour, then action. The intrinsic abilities of a learner are as important as the learning environment they are currently in.

So, it is not only important to strive to build capabilities like collaboration, curiosity, and courage but also to create the space and cultures to unlock reciprocity, wonder, and selflessness.

The Capabilities for Life framework is available to download here, under a Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike licence.

To find out how you can get involved in shaping and growing this framework, please email: capabilitiesforlife@rsa.org.uk

Why capabilities for life?

Navigating through a period of global challenges and opportunities, we need to reinstate a healthier relationship across our economy, communities and environment. We refer to this as the shift towards a ‘regenerative economy’.

To rebuild these connections, we need to move away from egocentric and individualistic thinking that focuses only on heroism, self-confidence and resilience against external forces. Instead, we must adopt mindsets and skills that prioritise the wellbeing both of humans and non-humans, fostering a more inclusive and interconnected approach to life.

In a rapidly changing landscape marked by labour market shifts, automation risks and shorter skills lifecycles, individuals across current and future generations must undergo a radical shift by unlearning and relearning a way of nurturing capabilities. Equipping ourselves to adapt to uncertainty is crucial as we innovate towards greater impact for people, places and the planet.

How the framework was developed

Throughout 2023, we convened a group of over 50 businesses, educators and thought leaders pushing the boundaries of next practice in regenerative capabilities. We also reviewed the existing literature and frameworks on the shifting landscape of skills. With our findings and through a series of co-design sessions and conversations, we shaped, iterated and tested the Capabilities for Life framework. We thank all our colleagues, Fellows and our critical friends who have contributed generously to this work.

From capabilities to curriculum

Our next step is to take this work forward, and we look to convene and collaborate with a Capabilities for life faculty comprised of our expert Fellows. Together, we will review the learning journeys the RSA has been hosting and the wealth of open-source learning resources already out in the world. We will be prototyping and piloting three engaging and inclusive life-centric learning journeys rooted in our capabilities to test on the RSA’s Design for Life Awards.