Meet the Generation Changemakers

What We Offer

Connection

Connection & Community

GenC exists within a global network of over 4000 Fellows and more than 200 young changemakers in 90+ countries. Being part of this network means collaborating with award winning social entrepreneurs who are redefining the future of humanity and the planet.  

Capacity building

Capacity Building

GenC community members receive a one-time unrestricted grant of £2000 and have access to opportunities that will develop and enhance their toolbox of leadership skills. With our global network of partners we provide access to workshops, training, funding pools, professional and practical experiences which equip them to excel as lifelong change leaders. 

Storytelling

Storytelling & Platforming

The GenC community members have access to tailored storytelling support to shape their narratives, celebrate their impact, and speak with authenticity. We create opportunities to platform their voices across a range of spaces, from digital media to high-profile events, ensuring their stories are heard, valued, and able to inspire change at scale.

Selection Criteria

Your Changemaker Story

Ashoka is a global community of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals who, when faced with a pressing problem, chose not to look away. We are looking for young changemakers who are committed, have listened deeply, empathised fully, and developed creative, innovative solutions. This ability to combine deep empathy with entrepreneurial action is what defines our makes the Ashoka community uniquely equipped to drive systemic, lasting change.

Your Impact

You didn’t just identify a problem; you stepped into it with care and creativity. You helped improve lives and protect the world around you, always guided by a commitment to the good of all. This deep-rooted dedication to people and planet is what unites Ashoka’s community—and what fuels the changemaker movement we’re building together.

Your Team

To create change, you did not work alone. You built and nurtured a team around your idea, leading by inspiring others to lead, and practicing collaborative teamwork to help each member realise their potential to create positive change—embodying Ashoka’s vision of a world where everyone as a changemaker.

Selection Process

Our selection process has been carefully designed for equity and rigour from our gold-standard search, selection and support methodology.  

We will only be electing up to 6 Generation Changemakers in 2025. 

Step 1: The Written Application

The most important step of the application process is the written application. This will form the majority of your application and is the most important step in telling your changemaker story. The written application is therefore, the most important factor in the success of your application. As part of the initial written application, you are welcome to submit a short video (maximum 1 minute) as a supplement to your application to show us who you are.

Step 2: Online Interview

The next step in the selection process is a 1-hour online interview. This is our chance to get to know you and understand your initiative and how you fit the selection criteria for Generation Changemaker on a deeper level. We will share examples of the kinds of questions we will be asking when we invite you to the interview stage, so you have time to prepare.

Step 3: In Person Interviews

Following the interview process up to 6 candidates will be invited to an in-person day at our offices in London. During this day you will get a chance to have 1:1 conversations with members of the Ashoka community where you can showcase your journey as a changemaker and young leader.

FAQs

What does it mean to ‘co-lead’?

To co-lead means to share leadership in a way that honors everyone's unique strengths, perspectives, and roles. It's about creating space for collective visioning, decision-making, and action — where leadership is not held by one, but activated in many. In a world of changemakers, co-leading invites trust, deep listening, and mutual accountability. It’s how we build systems that are resilient, inclusive, and capable of lasting change.

What do you mean when you say ‘initiative’?

At Ashoka, an initiative refers to a purposeful action or project that creates positive social change. It’s when a young person identifies a problem in their community or the world, imagines a better way forward, and takes the lead in making that vision a reality.

An initiative can take many forms — from launching a campaign or social venture, to starting a club, organizing a community event, or creating digital content that shifts mindsets. What matters most is that the young person is driving the change themselves, collaborating with others, and learning through action.

I am based in the UK/Ireland, but my initiative focuses on an area outside of the country, can I still apply?

Yes, we will accept applications with evidence of local as well as global impact. We are looking for changemakers with a deep commitment and connection to the problem and therefore will be assessing applications accordingly. 

Is this a funded opportunity?

Yes, successfully elected Generation Changemakers will receive a one-time unrestricted grant of £2000.

How can I get in touch?

Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

What Ashoka Does

Ashoka builds and cultivates a multi-stakeholder community of Fellows, Young Changemakers, and Changemaker Institutions, who see that the world now requires everyone to be a changemaker.

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