Overview

Ashoka builds networks of pattern-changing social innovators and select high-impact entrepreneurs, who creatively solve some of the worlds biggest social challenges, to become Ashoka Fellows. They believe that there is nothing more powerful than a new idea in the hands of a social entrepreneur. Ashoka is practical in that they are highly attentive to the nuts and bolts of making things work, and visionary in that they often reframe the problem, build roles for others to participate, and cast a long term view for change at least at the national level. Ashoka's Venture and Fellowship program identifies and elects leading social enrepreneurs to the global Ashoka Fellowship and provides support, community, collaboration opportunities, and recognition.

Ashoka's four areas of focus and investment help people to understand and adapt to a world of accelerating change where everyone is called on to be a leader:

Social Entrepreneurship
Ashoka selects world-class social entrepreneurs who are leading the way to an everyone-a-changemaker world.

Empathy
To thrive in today’s rapidly changing world, everyone must be a changemaker, and changemaking starts with empathy.

Lead Young
Ashoka is leading a movement to transform how young people grow up so they have the power to lead, to contribute — to be in charge.

Team of Teams
Living and working in our changemaker world requires breaking through silos, tearing down walls, and organizing in fluid, open, teams of teams.

Purpose

Ashoka has identified the new framework needed for living and working together in this radically different world drawn from insights working with our global network of Ashoka Fellows, the world's leading social entrepreneurs. The four elements of the framework are empathy, teamwork, new leadership, and changemaking.

Empathy is crucial in a world where rules can’t keep pace with the speed and complexity of change. Empathy-based ethics is fast becoming the cornerstone for our everyday dealings.

Teamwork relies on everyone having the capacity to work in fluid, open teams of teams to see and seize the ever-changing opportunities in this new strategic landscape.

New Leadership requires that every player on the team be an initiator. Each person must see the big picture and advance solutions that contribute to positive social outcomes.

Changemaking is the capacity to freely and effectively innovate for the good of all.

Distinction

Ashoka Fellows work in over 90 countries around the globe in every area of human need. They are taking a different route by addressing social entrepreneurship, and seeking leaders who are willing to make a difference in the community. They are providing youth and up with the tools they need to become a social entrepreneur and make a difference and also build networks that help people see and understand this new framework, and take action as changemakers.

Impact Achieved

Ashoka U takes an institutional change approach to impact the education of millions of students. They collaborate with colleges and universities to break down barriers to institutional change and foster a campus-wide culture of social innovation.

Bring to Campus

They currently have NIne programs: Ashoka Support Network , Ashoka U , AshokaChangemakers , Ashoka Changemaker Schools , Ashoka Executive in Residence , Ashoka Globalizer , Ashoka Venture and Fellowship, Ashoka Youth Venture , Ashoka Social Financial services

The selection process enables Ashoka U to make a comprehensive evaluation of the institution and helps us develop a portfolio of institutional strengths and unique contributions to the field.

Phase 1 – 360° Campus Scan: The 360° Campus Scan is an inventory tool designed as an empowering experience and structured process to assess the changemaking ecosystem at your institution, catalyze deeper commitment among your allies, generate new insights and ideas about what could work at your institution, and get feedback, recommendations, and comparative institutional case studies from Ashoka U. - US $7,500*

Phase 2 – Site Visit: Ashoka U conducts a selection site visit for interviews with senior leaders and other key allies on campus, and for final evaluation and coaching for the selection panel. - US $7,500* + Travel and Accomodations

Phase 3 – Selection Panel: Two Change Leaders or campus representatives make their case in front of experts in the field, who decide whether the institution qualifies as a Changemaker Campus.

Onboarding: Within a week of the Changemaker Campus selection panel, we will notify you of your designation as a Changemaker Campus and begin to prepare for a launch and designation ceremony at the Ashoka U Exchange. - US $10,000*

Contact Information

1700 North Moore St,

Suite 2000

Arlington, VA 22209

Tel: 703-527-8300

Fax: 703-527-8383

Organization:Ashoka

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