Ashoka is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1980, dedicated to fostering social innovation and civic engagement worldwide. Its vision is based on the idea of a world where everyone, regardless of age or background, can become a changemaker, capable of identifying and effectively solving societal challenges.
With more than 4,000 Fellows across 95 countries, Ashoka is a global network of innovative social entrepreneurs. The organization identifies and supports individuals and initiatives that provide sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges in various fields, including education, health, the environment, and the economy.
Core Missions
- Identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs: Ashoka empowers impactful social innovations by offering strategic support, resources, and collaboration opportunities.
- Fostering cross-sector alliances: By facilitating partnerships among the public, private, and civil society sectors, Ashoka promotes co-creation of sustainable solutions for the common good.
- Cultivating the next generation of changemakers: Through its educational programs, Ashoka seeks to transform the learning experience, enabling young people to develop skills like empathy, collaboration, and initiative.
Areas of Focus
Ashoka’s activities are centered around four key areas:
- Social entrepreneurship: Building a network of social innovators capable of driving systemic changes.
- Developing empathy in children: Making empathy a core societal value to better prepare future generations.
- Promoting youth in action: Mobilizing young people to lead impactful social projects.
- Collective innovation: Encouraging organizations to collaborate in addressing social and environmental challenges together.
Ashoka in the Sahel
In the Sahel region, Ashoka focuses on adapting its initiatives to local and cultural contexts to catalyze solutions to regional challenges.
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