An Introduction to Systems Change

It's no secret that at Ashoka we believe that social entrepreneurship – the concept of an innovative solution to a social problem in the hands of an exceptional entrepreneur – is the key to solving society’s problems.

At the heart of every social entrepreneur’s ambition is to fundamentally change the system within which they work, so as to impact on the largest possible number of people, without the need for the entrepreneur to replicate their organisation or themselves. As Ashoka’s Founder and CEO, Bill Drayton, once said, “Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionised the fishing industry.”

At Ashoka, we identify and support those social entrepreneurs who have found an idea that is systems-changing; indeed, at the heart of our selection criteria is the notion of ‘a systems change idea in the hands of an entrepreneur’.

Ashoka Fellows change systems in five different ways:

  1. Redefining interconnections in market systems
  2. Changing the rules that govern societies
  3. Diminishing the gap between the private and citizen sectors
  4. Integrating marginalised populations
  5. Increasing the number of people who are social problem-solvers

Reports on Systems Change

Together with other thought leaders, we produce reports on topics related to social entrepreneurship and systems change; such as the recent 'New Allies’ report. Learn from our global ecosystem to gather insights and best practices for systems change.

Embracing complexity

Embracing Complexity

Towards a Shared Understanding of Funding Systems Change
CMI

Seven Steps for Funding System Change

Ashoka Fellows frequently report that their most impactful work – the kind that is focused on system change – is generally the least funded. This presents a clear challenge and opportunity for funders...
Doing Democracy

Doing Democracy: How Social Entrepreneurs Bridge Divides, Fight Apathy and Strengthen Civil Liberties

WHAT does an organization that brings people together to do arts and crafts and an organization uniting mothers to address extremism have in common? They both work to systemically change the way...

Ashoka Fellows on Systems Change

As we attempt to demystify what systems change is on a practical level, hear from three of our UK Fellows – Michael Sani, Karen Mattison and Mark Swift – about how they have established their organisations around a systems-change approach and what exactly that looks like within the context of the problem they are solving.  Each demonstrates a true understanding that to achieve systems change – to truly fix a system – it is the impact, not the organisation that needs to be scaled. And that means being open to others taking credit and joining in, as long as the desired outcome is achieved.

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Michael Sani on Systems Change

The issue with poor civic participation is mainly due to a lack of meaningful engagement of all citizens, regardless of their post code, education pathways or any other factor that makes us different...
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Mark Swift on Systems Change

I believe we will have achieved systemic change in healthcare systems when we have successfully integrated the social dimensions of health and wellbeing in all clinical and social care pathways.

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Karen Mattison on Systems Change

How people work in the UK has changed dramatically in recent years - seven in 10 of the UK workforce has some form of flexibility in their working patterns, with almost as many men as women preferring...

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Vision - A Social Entrepreneur's Starting Point

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Purpose

Purpose - The Guiding Star

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Problem

Problem - Observation of a Systemic Gap

We are all aware that society is by no means perfect, and that it leaves many behind. All social entrepreneurs have identified a particular problem that they feel needs to be fixed in order for society to work better for all. It could be within their field of expertise - such as a farmer who sees...
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Strategy - A Plan of Action

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Partnerships

Partnerships - Mobilising Stakeholders

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Impact

Impact - An Organisation's Footprint

Of course, impact is at the heart of social entrepreneurship. A social entrepreneur is driven by a desire to effect positive change on a community, on society, or on the world, rather than the more ‘traditional’ desire to make money. So the way that a social enterprise measures its effectiveness is...
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Challenge

Challenges - The Unavoidable Trials

As Michael Sani points out in a video clip we will be posting later today, there is no manual to being the CEO of a social enterprise, so social entrepreneurs have to learn on the job. This means that there will be challenges along the way, and the only way forward is to try your best and learn from...
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Learnings

Learnings - The Wisdom Obtained

All social entrepreneurs (and indeed ‘regular’ entrepreneurs) are on a journey. They will have started their organisations with a vision, as we’ve discussed previously, and an idea with which they will solve a problem achieve that vision. From that idea comes a strategy. But here’s the thing – as...
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