Ashoka

Ashoka is a pioneering global network focused on advancing social entrepreneurship and empowering individuals to become changemakers. Founded in 1980, Ashoka works across more than 90 countries, including Europe, where it supports innovative solutions to complex social, environmental, and cultural challenges. The organization identifies and selects leading social entrepreneurs, known as Ashoka Fellows, who bring system-changing ideas and a commitment to addressing the most urgent problems in society. These Fellows receive financial support, professional guidance, and access to an expansive peer network, enabling them to scale their impact and inspire others. Ashoka’s strategic priorities include promoting social entrepreneurship, fostering empathy and leadership among young people, and organizing for changemaking by breaking down traditional silos and promoting teamwork across sectors. Its vision is to create a world in which everyone recognizes their potential to contribute positively, encapsulated in the idea of “Everyone a Changemaker.” Ashoka’s influence extends beyond individual changemakers. It collaborates with schools, universities, corporations, and civil society organizations to shift mindsets, support innovative models of collaboration, and equip people with the skills needed for effective social change. In Europe and worldwide, Ashoka seeds and strengthens movements for empathy, innovative leadership, and inclusive social progress, inspiring citizens to become active participants in shaping a better future.