The practice of using tools to reach a clearly defined systems change goal
A list of milestones and concrete projects that you want to reach in order to achieve a systems change goal
Practical worksheets to start flexing your systems thinking muscles
A customized systems change strategy deck within a pre-designed template
Tools to engage a broader audience and build a network of allies
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modules featuring examples and practical exercises.
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case studies and examples from sectors and countries around the world.
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fully designed strategy deck template.
"A truly helpful exercise for those who are actually scaling and those who are looking to scale. It allows entrepreneurs to do what they should, think about the future."
Ashoka Fellow Michael Sani worked with others to create 40x more impact after implementing a systems change strategy that came out of taking this masterclass in-person.
"The course let us build a profound understanding about the root causes of the problem and not only work on the symptoms. Taking the time and reflecting is the prerequisite for working on the right issues."
"I really enjoyed real life cases and examples to demonstrate that dramatic change is feasible and that it all starts with simple ideas, step by step.It gives me hope and motivation to keep going."
Ashoka’s Systems Change Masterclass teaches essential skills for leading and problem solving amidst increasing complexity. It is applicable to any sector and can be applied no matter what stage you are in - whether idea stage or established, entrepreneur or employee, team member or team lead. You will practice using powerful tools developed through Ashoka’s decades of experience running in-person accelerators with leading social entrepreneurs and business leaders. Case studies of social entrepreneurs featured include:
Albina Ruiz | Economic Development (Waste Management) | Latin America (Peru)
Muzalema Mwanza | Health (Natal Care) | Africa (Zambia)
Suresh Kumar | Health (Pallitive Care) | India
Joseph Nkandu | Economic Development (Farming) | Africa (Uganda)
Nicole Rycroft | Environment (Fashion Supply Chain) | Austria, Global | 750+ company partnerships
To Outpace Problems, We Need More Changemakers Like You
You are here because you care about making a difference. Systems change is an important part of the changemaking toolkit. Enroll now to join a global community, striving together to maximize impact from any sector and from any role. Let's build an Everyone a Changemaker world, together!
Video: Introduction to the Systems Change Masterclass
Additional Resources:
The Ashoka Globalizer Program
The Ashoka Europe Fellowship Program
Module 1: Learn What Systems Change is and Why it Matters
Video: Key concepts of systems change and our methodology
Activity: The Impact Spectrum- Three Levels of Impact
Readings:
The (business) case for systems change
Rethinking the Impact Spectrum
Podcast: Key questions at the heart of systems change
Additional Resources
Video- Financing Change: Collaborative approaches to Philanthropy
Video- Reclaiming Social Entrepreneurship
Interviews with Ashoka Fellows on their systems change approaches
Module 2: Analyse Your Systemic Root Causes
Video: Analysing the big problem
Activities:
Problem Tree Exercise
Vision and System
Module 3: Find your Targeted Systems Change Goal
Video: Clarifying the system change one wants to achieve
Activities:
The 5R Framework
Targeted Systems Change Statement
Readings:
Learn more about the 5R Framework
The power of leverage points
What it means to shift the conditions of change
The power of smaller, more targeted changes
To address the topic of unintended consequences
Module 4: Tell the Story of your Systems Change Strategy
Video: Drafting a Systems Change Story
Activity: Systems Change Story Exercise
Module 5: Tell the Story of your Systems Change Strategy
Video: Fine-tuning a Systems Change Story
Activity: Systems Change Story Exercise
Additional Resources:
Deep dive into Delivery and Replication of Solutions
Deep dive into working with Governments
Deep dive into Societal Platforms
Podcast: Social entrepreneurship and policy changes
Additional Resources: Examples of Social Entrepreneurs
Module 6: Rethink Partnerships
Video: Collaborative Action for Systems Change
Activities:
Stakeholder Exercise
Smart Network Exercise
Readings:
Collaboration Framework
Stakeholder Types
Podcast: Partnerships in systems change
Additional Resource: Case Studies of Ashoka Fellows
Module 7: Reflect on Leadership Qualities for Systems Change
Video: The personal side of systemic work
Activities:
Identifying the Changemaking Potential in others
The Let Go Radar
Empathy and Deep Listening
Listening Check-In
Wellbeing
Leadership Game PlanReading: Leadership Qualities
Readings:
Wellbeing and Social Change
Wellbeing and Changemakers
Additional Resources:
The Wellbeing Toolkit
Recipes for Wellbeing
Interviews with advanced social entrepreneurs
Podcast: Evolving roles of a social entrepreneur in collaboration
Module 8: Explore Funding Options
Video: Funding in the Context of Systems Change
Activity: Reflection Exercise
Readings:
Social Investment Guide
Key Principles for funders
Key Steps for funders
The (business) case for Systems Change
Additional Resources: Social Investment Course
Podcast: An Ashoka Fellow discussing their experience with funding systems change
Module 9: Evaluate Systems Change
Video: Impact Measurement in the Context of Systems Change
Activity: Evaluating Systems Change Exercise
Additional Resources:
The Ashoka Impact Metrics
The Ashoka Impact Framework
Final Assignment: Strategy Deck Template - Fully Designed
Utilizing the worksheets filled out in each of the prevoius modules, you will be able to access and customize a systems change strategy deck within a pre-designed template. This deck can be used to mobilize a broader audience towards your shared vision and build a network of allies that can achieve the targeted systems change goal you identified or refined through this course.
The Ashoka Systems Change Masterclass 1.0, created by Ada Andreoni, Michela Fenech, Nadine Freeman, Odin Mühlenbein, Reem Rahman, Florentine Roth, Florian Rutsch, Giulia Sergi, Olga Shirobokova is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license (CC BY-SA 40). This course is based on the Ashoka Globalizer Toolkit by Odin Mühlenbein and Olga Shirobokova.
We thank all Ashoka Fellows, whose systems changing innovations and feedback inspired the insights and frameworks for this course. We also thank the Ashoka Globalizer, Ashoka Europe Fellowship, and Ashoka Latin America teams for their support.
Case Study: Ashoka Fellow, Albina Ruiz, Ciudad Saludable Course Production: Reem Rahman Art Direction and Illustration: Fargo Circle Studio Video Editing: MPWR Productions Animation, Slides Design, and Workbook Design: Pallavi Agarwala Case Study Production: Linda Peia, Florentine Roth, Louisa Konchellah User Experience: Arpan Chokshi, Florentine Roth, Maggie Lemere Images: Ciudad Saludable, PeaceFirst
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