INSIGHTS ON ASHOKA'S FELLOW SELECTION

We rely on a curated network of nominators who are familiar with our criteria and are regularly engaged by teams to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.

These nominators include ecosystem partners from diverse stakeholder groups (researchers, media, corporate leaders, etc.), Ashoka Fellows,  members of the Ashoka Support Network, etc.

We work regularly with them to build a foundation for aligned nominations.

Ashoka’s process has proven to be effective at selecting systemic social entrepreneurs that are changing the world’s systems for the good of all.

Our process and practice are designed to build trust with candidates from the very start.

In our work with leading social entrepreneurs, we care about the whole person and their changemaking journey, not just their fit with specific criteria.

This tailored framing, and the peer-to-peer dynamics that result, help to set aside the power relationship that so many of our candidates experience when talking with potential funders or partners.

It also reinforces our commitment to learning from and celebrating every changemaker’s work.

The five selection stages – Nomination, 1st Opinion, 2nd Opinion, Panel, and Board review – create multiple opportunities for new perspectives on the candidates’ work.