How We Create Social Impact Through Purposeful Design and Community Collaboration
At The Kula Foundation, our mission is more than delivering solutions – it’s about how we get there. That’s why we’ve developed the 7PEA (7 Principles of Engagement and Action) Framework, a guiding set of principles that inform every decision, partnership, and project we undertake.
7 Principles of Engagement & Action
Whether we’re designing a school facility in Kenya or running local awareness activities in the UK, these seven steps help us stay rooted, intentional, and inclusive.
Let’s walk you through them:
Purpose & Problem
Understanding the Why Behind the Work
Before any action is taken, we begin with purpose.
- Why are we supporting this community, project, or group?
- What is the root problem we’re trying to solve?
- Is this aligned with our mission and values?
Without a clear “why,” we risk designing solutions that don’t last.
Every programme starts with deep questioning, critical listening, and clarity of purpose.
Knowledge, Understanding & Research
Build Insight Before Building Solutions
Sustainable impact starts with knowing the landscape.
We invest time in:
- Listening to the voices on the ground
- Researching local and global contexts
- Understanding social, environmental, and cultural dynamics
We’re not here to assume — we’re here to understand.
Connect & Engage
Collaborate Before We Create
We learn from those already working in the space — from local NGOs and government offices to youth groups and community leaders.
This is how we uncover:
- Existing efforts and lived experiences
- New layers of insight we might have missed
- Opportunities for partnership, not duplication
Engagement is not a step — it’s a commitment.
Design, Model & Build
Co-Create with Communities
We move into solution development with people, not for them.
Through workshops, collaborative design sessions, and open dialogue, we:
- Co-create models that work for the community’s context
- Test and refine designs based on feedback
- Build trust, ownership, and local capacity in every step
Design is not just about aesthetics — it’s about relevance and resilience.
Change & Adapt
Reflect, Respond, Re-Align
Every community is different, and challenges will emerge. That’s why we embrace change.
- If something doesn’t work, we pivot
- If a better solution arises, we explore it
- If feedback calls for it, we adapt our approach
Continuous learning ensures continuous relevance.
Execute or Take Action
From Plans to Progress
Once we’ve refined the model with community input, we act — with care and intention.
At this stage, we:
- Deliver solutions that are informed and practical
- Document our impact clearly and transparently
- Share what’s working, so others can replicate or learn from it
Action is not just implementation. It’s empowerment, mobilisation, and momentum
Record & Learn
Because No Community Should Be Left Behind
Our final step is to monitor, record, and evaluate.
This is how we:
- Ensure projects remain relevant and impactful
- Learn from challenges and amplify successes
- Stay accountable to the people we serve
We capture stories, collect data, and reflect with partners and communities so that every lesson becomes part of our evolution.