As part of our commitment to ensuring that one day everyone will build the essential skills to thrive, Skills Builder Global recently hosted a Global Impact Fellowship forum highlighting the transformative work being done in underserved communities. The session featured a deep dive into the journey of the Inquilab Foundation, an NGO based in India that has successfully integrated the Skills Builder Universal Framework into its flagship programs.
The Mission in Action: Inquilab Foundation
Sahitya, co-founder of Inquilab Foundation, shared how their vision to nurture problem solving capacity in the next generation aligns perfectly with essential skills development. Working primarily with students in grades 6-8, Inquilab focuses on fostering skills like creativity, and critical thinking to prepare young people to be future ready innovators and change makers.
Through the Global Impact Fellowship, Inquilab achieved Impact Level 4 accreditation by following a strategic three step integration process:
- Framework mapping & adoption: The team selected four essential skills: Teamwork, Creativity, Problem Solving, and Speaking, and mapped specific skill steps across different grade levels to ensure a logical progression of learning.
- Learning material redesign: They moved from implicit to explicit skilling. This involved redesigning student workbooks to include "skill nudges," visual aids, and dedicated reflection pages, as well as updating facilitator handbooks to help mentors provide targeted support.
- Refining measurement tools: By shifting from broad questions to nuanced, step-specific reflections and assessments, they enabled students to better identify their own strengths and areas for growth.
Early Impact and Key Learnings
The results of this pilot have been inspiring. Students are now able to speak about their skills with much greater clarity- moving beyond general terms to providing specific evidence of their progress, such as identifying "cause and effect" within problem-solving.
Sahitya shared three vital takeaways for any organisation looking to follow a similar path:
- Depth over breadth: Focus on fewer skill steps but provide more opportunities for repeated practice.
- Mind the cognitive load: Use visual aids, like icons from Skills Builder Hub, and be intentional about when to introduce new concepts versus when to pause for reflection.
- Invest in training: Ensure all stakeholders, from field staff to school leaders, are aligned with a common language for skill development.
Join the Movement
The Global Impact Fellowship (for NGOs) and the Global Accelerator (for schools) offer dedicated spaces for partners to connect, collaborate, and amplify their collective impact. These programs provide the tools, knowledge, and community needed to measure and demonstrate real impact on beneficiaries' lives.
If your organisation or school is ready to join this global community and work toward our shared mission, we invite you to book a call to explore our upcoming opportunities and fully funded places. Together, we can ensure that every learner has the essential skills they need to thrive.
