Hundreds of millions of people in the developing world are self employed, or working in the informal sector, struggling to sell handicrafts by the roadside or to increase their agricultural productivity. It is increasingly difficult for these marginalized producers to compete in local and global economies. They often lack access to markets, technology and investment which would allow them to increase or get a fairer share of the value they create.

Since 1980, Ashoka has launched over 100 social entrepreneurs working to improve opportunities of small producers around the world. This cluster of Ashoka Fellows is developing a diverse array of innovative, practical solutions.

The Classes of Small Producers™ program, still in a concept stage, aims at supporting the restructuring of production and distribution systems for entire classes of small producers (e.g. shepherds, art and craft makers, farmers), allowing them to get an increased value for their products. To do so, it distills and disseminates the insights of Ashoka's social entrepreneurs working with small producers.