Ashoka
Ashoka in the Netherlands
We are living in an ever-changing world, where the way in which we live, work, and interact with each other is constantly being transformed. This change is happening at an accelerated rate, and it is our job to find innovative solutions to current problems, remaining flexible and open to new possibilities.
While some people see change as a source of worry or despair, Ashoka sees it as an opportunity to create an ‘Everyone a Changemaker’ world. A world where we can equip more people, including the youth, with the necessary skills and a shared purpose so that they can help to effectively solve problems in their own communities and far beyond this.
Ashoka has more than 35 years of experience in the field of social entrepreneurship – finding, selecting, and supporting the world’s leading social innovators (Ashoka Fellows). The Ashoka global network includes 3,500+ fellows based in more than 90 countries. These Changemakers offer system-changing solutions to social, cultural, and environmental challenges on a global scale.
Ashoka Netherlands was launched in 2014, and forms part of the Ashoka Europe consortium. Since its launch, Ashoka Netherlands has elected 13 Fellows who are bringing innovative system-changing solutions regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Our Vision and Objectives
Ashoka envisions a world where everyone is a changemaker – a world that responds quickly and effectively to social challenges, where each individual has the freedom, confidence and societal support to drive system change.
To develop and sustain ideas for social change, we offer critical intervention on three levels:
- Supporting social entrepreneurs – social entrepreneurs are the engines of social change. Ashoka identifies and invests in leading social innovators and helps them to achieve maximum social impact.
- Promoting group entrepreneurship – networks of social entrepreneurs working together accelerate and spread social impact. Ashoka engages communities of entrepreneurs and supports collaborations that impact entire fields.
- Building infrastructure for the sector – a global network of changemakers requires tools and support systems to deliver sustainable solutions. Ashoka creates the needed infrastructure, such as access to social financing as well as bridges to business and academic sectors.
What We Do
Ashoka is dedicated to creating the world’s largest and most powerful network of Changemakers by searching for and selecting leading social entrepreneurs across the world: our Ashoka Fellows. These Fellows have demonstrated a commitment to social change and system transformation, and they offer innovative solutions to current problems. At Ashoka, we provide these entrepreneurs with a global network, expertise, and new possibilities for upscaling their innovations.
Ashoka pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship almost 40 years ago, and today it continues to build the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs. Since 2014, when Ashoka was launched in the Netherlands, we have elected and supported a number of Dutch Ashoka Fellows who are bringing system change in the Netherlands and beyond.
Selection Process
The selection of Ashoka Fellows occurs through a rigorous and human-centred process: the Venture Program. Across the globe, we use the following selection criteria and process to elect Ashoka Fellows:
Fellowship
We make sure that the Ashoka brand, the engagements we curate and facilitate, and the connections we open are beneficial to each Fellow. We invite Fellows to make the most of the network through interactions that will increase opportunities to accelerate their social impact.
We deliver value to our Fellows in 5 key areas:
