INSIGHTS ON ASHOKA'S FELLOW SELECTION
What makes Ashoka’s selection process so unique and effective? In The Art of Finding Social Changemakers, Ashoka Europe’s Search and Selection team analyze some of the keys to success, and areas where innovation is happening when selecting Ashoka Fellows.
These are the same principles and keys that drive our global efforts to select and support changemakers in all areas of life and strive for a world where Everyone is a Changemaker.
For funders and leaders in organizations seeking to find and support changemakers, or for individuals on their changemaking journey, this paper sheds light on strategies to find the best talent and encourage people on their changemaking journey. Read the report, and if you think of people that should be considered in our process, nominate them below!
Learn more about Ashoka Fellows | Find Ashoka Fellows worldwide
The Art of Finding Changemakers ✨
To learn more about the Fellows we select,
download out our 2023 Leading Social Entrepreneurs book.
For more about the impact of our Fellows globally,
read our 2022 Unlonely Planet Report.
VENTURE INSIGHTS REPORT | Key Takeaways
#1 Creating engaged nominator networks
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.
#2 Building trust with candidates
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.
#3 A well-designed, multi-stage selection process
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.
Examples of fellows selected in Europe
Bach Kim Nguyen
Belgium | Beeodiversity
Kim is changing the way we see bees by promoting them as a core and essential resource to the environment and to human beings.
Carmen Gheorghe
Romania | E-Romnja
Carmen founded E-Romnja, which builds and cultivates communities of Roma women where they have a voice and decision-making power.
Ewa Furgał
Poland | Dziewczyna w spektrum
Ewa opens a spectrum of possibilities for diagnosis and full life for girls and LGBTIQA+ people on the autism spectrum.
Temi Mwale
United Kingdom | The 4Front Project
Temi is transforming victims of violence and trauma caused by systemic racism into catalysts of positive change.
Find Ashoka Fellows worldwide
The Venture Europe Championers team that inspired the report
Kenny Clewett
Venture Lead Europe
Casilda Heraso
Spain
Clara Bräuer
Germany
Martyna Rubinowska
Poland
Tatiana Cary
United Kingdom
Erin Fornhoff
United Kingdom
Yannick Fischer
Belgium and Netherlands
Todd Pavel
UK, Nordics and Canada
Tomina Vodarici
Romania
Ovidiu Hristu Condurache
Romania
Sarah Adel
France
Eleonora Gargiulo
Italy
Enrica Cornaglia
Italy