Our Work

KESI’s work is built on three interconnected pillars that together create the conditions for lasting social impact: knowledge exchange, applied problem-solving, and sustained partnerships.

Knowledge Exchange and Learning

We create spaces where diverse knowledge holders — practitioners, communities, researchers, and policy makers — come together to share, learn, and build understanding. Knowledge exchange at KESI is not a one-way transfer from “experts” to “recipients.” It is a collaborative process where everyone contributes and everyone learns.

What this looks like

  • Structured workshops and learning exchanges that bring together people with different types of knowledge and experience
  • Peer learning programmes where participants teach and learn from each other
  • Knowledge resources co-created with communities and practitioners, not just for them
  • Cross-sector conversations that break down silos between academia, practice, and policy

Expected outcomes

  • New understanding built from diverse perspectives
  • Practical knowledge that participants can apply in their own contexts
  • Stronger connections between people who might not otherwise meet
  • Resources and tools that are genuinely useful to the people they are designed for

Applied Problem-Solving

We facilitate practical, people-led processes to tackle real social and civic challenges. Rather than proposing solutions from the outside, we support communities and organisations to develop, test, and refine their own approaches.

What this looks like

  • Innovation labs where participants work on real challenges facing their communities or organisations
  • Community challenges that invite practical solutions to locally defined problems
  • Structured facilitation that helps groups move from ideas to action
  • Piloting and prototyping support to test solutions before scaling

Expected outcomes

  • Practical solutions developed by the people who understand the problems best
  • Tested approaches ready for implementation or further development
  • Enhanced problem-solving skills among participants
  • Evidence of what works (and what does not) to inform future action

Partnerships and Networks

We build lasting connections between individuals, organisations, and institutions. Our partnership work creates the conditions for sustained collaboration, mentorship, and collective impact that outlasts any single programme.

What this looks like

  • Institutional partnerships with universities, NGOs, government bodies, and social enterprises
  • Alumni networks that keep past participants connected and engaged
  • Mentorship programmes linking experienced practitioners with emerging leaders
  • Cross-sector collaborations that bring together unlikely partners around shared goals

Expected outcomes

  • Durable relationships that continue to generate value over time
  • A growing network of people and organisations committed to people-led social impact
  • Shared resources, knowledge, and opportunities across the network
  • Greater collective capacity to address complex social challenges

Our Approach

KESI’s approach is people-led, collaborative, and non-extractive. We start by listening — understanding the context, the people, and the challenges before proposing any action. Our methodology is built on the conviction that people closest to problems are best placed to develop solutions, and that learning is most powerful when it happens through doing.

Working with Communities

When KESI works with communities, we come as partners, not as outside experts with ready-made answers. We invest time in understanding the local context, building trust, and ensuring that community members shape the direction of the work. We are committed to non-extractive engagement: we do not take knowledge, stories, or data from communities without giving back genuine value.

Working with Organisations

We partner with organisations — NGOs, universities, government bodies, social enterprises — to strengthen their capacity for knowledge exchange and people-centred practice. Partnerships are built on mutual respect, shared goals, and transparent communication. We help organisations embed collaborative approaches into their own work, building lasting capability rather than creating dependency.

Digital Badges and Recognition

KESI recognises every contribution through a digital badge system. Badges provide formal, verifiable recognition of the skills, knowledge, and experience that people gain through participating in our programmes.

Badge types

  • Participant badges — awarded on completion of a KESI programme or learning exchange
  • Volunteer badges — recognising facilitator, mentor, and support roles
  • Partner badges — acknowledging organisational collaboration
  • Special recognition badges — for outstanding contributions to KESI’s mission

Benefits

  • Portable, verifiable credentials that participants can share with employers, institutions, and networks
  • Formal recognition for volunteering and community contributions that often go unacknowledged
  • A growing record of professional and civic development

Coming soon. The KESI digital badge system is currently in development. We will launch badges alongside our first programmes.

Interested in earning a badge? Register your interest or find out how to get involved with KESI.

Ready to Get Involved?

Whether you want to participate, volunteer, partner, or support our work, there is a place for you at KESI.

Explore ways to get involved