Ashoka’s work in Malaysia started by developing a robust landscape map of Malaysia's social sector. This was developed through numerous conversations with key stakeholders across Malaysia, including leading citizen sector organizations, social and innovation arms of the government, corporate foundations, a collective impact initiative, and prominent network aggregators. These stakeholders came from across the country, from 13 out of the 16 states and federal territories of Malaysia.

From this stakeholder mapping process, we uncovered nominations for impactful changemakers who had innovative ways of creating change. Specifically, through two nominator trainings, we have been able to train select partners on how to spot candidates for the Ashoka fellowship. We also nurtured and created a pipeline of rising entrepreneurs who are developing and becoming Ashoka fellow material by speaking with more than 90 changemakers.

Our biggest priority this year is to elect Malaysian changemakers into the global Ashoka fellowship. Having surfaced several exceptional candidates, we are hopeful to announce our pioneering batch of fellows in early 2017.

Ashoka Malaysia is affiliated with Ashoka's Singapore office.