Me

Dear Ashoka Fellows,

Welcome to your dedicated space within the Ashoka community, a place where your pioneering spirit and transformative ideas are celebrated and supported. As an Ashoka Fellow, you are at the heart of our mission to create a world where everyone is a changemaker. Your innovative solutions and unwavering commitment to systemic change inspire us all and drive the momentum of the "Everyone a Changemaker" movement.

Since our inception in 1980, Ashoka has been committed to identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs like you, who are not only catalysts for change but also co-leaders in our shared journey towards a more equitable and just world. Your work exemplifies the power of social entrepreneurship to shift mindsets, influence policy, and create lasting impact across communities globally.

This platform is designed to provide you with the resources, connections, and support you need to amplify your impact. Here, you will find opportunities to collaborate with fellow changemakers, access to tailored programs, and a wealth of knowledge to further your mission. Together, we are building a robust ecosystem where changemaking is the norm, and everyone is empowered to contribute to the common good.

Thank you for your dedication and leadership. We are honored to have you as part of the Ashoka family and look forward to supporting your journey as we work together to shape a world where everyone can thrive as a changemaker.

With gratitude and excitement,

the Ashoka team

Since its founding in 1980 by Bill Drayton, Ashoka has been at the forefront of the social entrepreneurship movement, pioneering the concept and practice of changemaking. Our journey began with the recognition that social entrepreneurs are vital to driving systemic change and creating ripple effects across societies. Over the years, Ashoka has evolved, expanding its focus to foster a world where everyone is empowered to be a changemaker.

Building the Ecosystem of Social Entrepreneurship

Ashoka's early work laid the foundation for the field of social entrepreneurship, a sector that has since gained global recognition and support. Through our rigorous selection process, we have identified and supported over 4,000 Ashoka Fellows across 98 countries, each contributing innovative solutions to complex social challenges. Our Fellows are not only leaders in their fields but also catalysts for broader societal change, influencing policy, shifting mindsets, and creating new markets.

The "Everyone a Changemaker" Vision

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and complex, the need for widespread changemaking has never been more urgent. Ashoka's vision of "Everyone a Changemaker" reflects our commitment to empowering individuals at all levels of society to take initiative and drive positive change. This vision is rooted in the belief that everyone has the potential to contribute to new patterns of thinking and action, and that changemaking skills can be cultivated from a young age.

Supporting Young Changemakers

Recognizing the importance of nurturing changemaking from an early age, Ashoka has developed programs to support young leaders and engage educational institutions and other core constituencies worldwide. Our initiatives, such as the Ashoka Young Changemakers program, aim to redefine success in growing up by equipping young people with the skills and confidence to lead change. By partnering with organizations in the learning ecosystem, we are creating environments where empathy, leadership, and innovation are integral to the learning experience.

Expanding Focus: New Longevity, Migration, Tech and Humanity, Planet and Climate

In addition to our work with young changemakers, Ashoka is now focusing on bringing Fellows together to develop major shifts in critical areas such as new longevity, planet and climate, migration, and the intersection of technology and humanity. By fostering collaboration among our network, we aim to address these complex global challenges with innovative solutions that prioritize human dignity and well-being. Our Fellows are at the forefront of these efforts, leveraging their expertise and creativity to drive transformative change.

A Collaborative Ecosystem for Change

Ashoka's network is a powerful engine for change, leveraging the collective impact of our Fellows, partners, and supporters. We provide tailored support to our Fellows, including stipends, scaling programs, and pro-bono services, enabling them to amplify their impact and forge new partnerships. Our collaborative approach extends to our work with global partners, who share our mission to create a world where everyone is a changemaker.

Looking Ahead: Our Commitment to 2030

As we look to the future, Ashoka is committed to increasing the number of Fellows we support especially in the Global South and ensuring that changemaking skills are recognized as essential across educational systems and beyond worldwide.

We thank you for being part of this transformative journey, as we work together to build a world where everyone can thrive as a changemaker.

Together, we can create a future where changemaking is not just a possibility but a reality for all.

Ashoka Fellows and members of their team can have access to personalized coaching and mentoring opportunities through Ashoka's network of experienced pro-bono and low-bono coaches and mentors. Whether you are desiring support around a particular leadership challenge, navigating an important transition or could use a non-judgmental space to reflect on any facet of your changemaker journey, we might be able to find you the right support. At the moment, we can mainly support Europe-based individuals and teams. If you are interested in being matched with a coach or mentor, please fill in this form.

If you are a coach or mentor who would like to offer your services pro-bono to Ashoka's community or would like to recommend a coach or mentor, please fill in this second form.

We’re living through an unprecedented, uncertain, historic moment that is drastically shifting the way we live, connect, work, and engage with one another. In times like this, we may find ourselves in need of support to cope with emerging challenges, develop our capacity to be well despite experiencing fear, anxiety, anger, and many other emotions, and practice self-care. All this, while also enabling our communities to be healthy, resilient, and actively contributing to everyone’s wellbeing. Here you will find useful tools, practices, and resources that we hope can support you in developing your capacity to be well and lead, especially in times of hardship.

The Wellbeing Toolkit -  is a toolkit built by our community for our community during the peak of COVID. It contains some practices such as breathing exercises, journalling, forming support circles, creating new habits and much more, all tested and recommended by Ashoka teams and Fellows across the globe. Click here to access the toolkit.

Wellbeing Changemakers Hub - is a community of wellbeing champions – advancing wellbeing in changemaking across the Ashoka ecosystem – that come together to (i) deep dive into the emergent narratives and key frames around wellbeing & changemaking; and (ii) support, inspire and learn from each other in their work to integrate and operationalize wellbeing in changemaking. Click here to access the Hub's Resource Page. Please get in contact with Luzette Jaimes at  [email protected] or Michela Fenech at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to join the community of wellbeing champions. 

Further Wellbeing Content from Ashoka and the Wellbeing Project

Wellbeing Inspires Welldoing Report - research report containing insights and experiences of many Ashoka Fellows.

Wellbeing Section of the Supporting System Changers Report - highlighting the global Ashoka Fellowship experience on how to support social innovators to change social structures while anchoring wellbeing at the center of their work.

Voices of Wellbeing Interviews - wellbeing stories from Ashoka Fellows, changemakers, artists and more.

Centered Self - an article series on the connection between inner wellbeing and social change.
 

Take Action

Join the weekly social innovation meditation. A free weekly offering led by Ashoka Fellow Bart Weetjens and open to any member of the Ashoka network worldwide interested in practicing meditation. All levels are welcome, click here to register.

Join the Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs in their monthly conversations on eldership and transition to learn from the wisdom of elder members of the Ashoka community and reflect on your future after having founded and led an innovative, impactful organization. The Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs was launched by Senior Ashoka Fellows Chris Underhill, Andrea Coleman and Mel Young.

Your Kids is a tool developed by Ashoka to help parents and other adults support young people in their lives to thrive in a rapidly changing world as changemakers. Through online workshops and a complementary series of resources, we create conversations and provide practical steps for parents, families, and youth to step into their power as changemakers together. 

• Example video of a Your Kids session
• Children’s books on changemaking Part I
• Children’s books on changemaking Part II 
• Insights from Ashoka Fellows on how to raise changemakers

Videos of changemaker families:

Books for changemaker families: 

• Worldreader Library
• Children's Changemaking books
• Democratic Culture at School is Now
• Becoming a Changemaker series

Discover the range of online courses and learning journeys available below to support your personal and professional development. You will find several different formats: self-paced, facilitated, online, in-person, masterclasses and week long journeys.

We thank the Ashoka Europe Community Team for providing the Resource Center website with this repository of online courses and learning journeys available in the global Ashoka network at the moment.