Ashoka Innovators for the Public
- World’s largest community of leading social entrepreneurs (over 3000) across 72 countries Supports people not projects Sector and issue agnostic Builds an eco-system by connecting social and business sectors
Social entrepreneurs are not content to just give a fish or to teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry. Bill Drayton- Founder and CEO of Ashoka
How do you know when you have revolutionized an industry? How do you know when a system is changed?
5 PATHS TO SOCIAL SYSTEM CHANGE (“REVOLUTIONIZING A FIELD”) 1. MARKET DYNAMICS AND VALUE CHAINS 2. PUBLIC POLICY AND INDUSTRY NORMS 3. FULL INCLUSION AND EMPATHY 4. BUSINESS-SOCIAL CONGRUENCE 5. CULTURE OF CHANGEMAKING
CHANGING MARKET SYSTEMS: EXAMPLE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SYSTEMS WILL BE AMPLIFIED TO GIVE FARMERS THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND PRACTICES. Through Rikin Gandhi’s Digital Green, farmers have produced over 2400 videos viewed by over 120,000 farmers in India with 48% of farmers adopting the new practice.
FULL INCLUSION AND EMPATHY: EXAMPLE NON-LITERATE PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO READ USING SAME LANGUAGE SUB-TITLES ON TV SHOWS. Brij Kothari sub-titles popular Indian TV shows allowing viewers to connect the written and spoken languages, a method shown in research to be very effective in developing literacy.
Other examples of Ashoka Fellows creating system change…. Jeroo Billimoria has created a national 24- hour emergency helpline that provides street children access to healthcare and police assistance. Subroto Das has revolutionized accident and emergency care in India by spurring models like 108 ambulance Bindeshwar Pathak, through Sulabh International, is improving India‘s sanitation and transitioning dalits to safer, more dignified jobs.
Scaling ideas & impact 61% of Fellows scale their impact through changing policy 57% are creating a Grassroots movements 46% are using open source strategies Over 40% of Fellows plan to use a media campaign 39% will expand the size of their organization Only 7% of Fellows have used franchising
How do you find this combination of a big idea in the hands of a right person before they have succeeded?
SEARCH & SELECTION Geared to identify early stage entrepreneurs Nomination First Opinion 2 nd Opinion Board Approval Pane l 20%80%83%90%
And its effectiveness is proven….. Of our Fellows: –93% of fellows are pursuing their original ideas after 10 years of election –80% are seen as leaders in the field –50% of Fellows have achieved change in national policy and/or industry within five years of election –90% of their ideas are replicated by others in the field
Fellowship for Life….. IdentityStipend Peer-to-peer community VisibilityNetwork Effect Collaborative Entrepreneurs hip VALUE OF ASHOKA
How? Online and offline platforms : to connect with other social entrepreneurs nationally & globally Peer learning sessions : safe spaces to share learning's & insights Problem Solving Sessions: bringing experts to solve specific challenges Access Dinners : Strategic networking events Globalizer : Accelerator Program Strategic Partnerships : With media, companies, law firms, consulting companies & business entrepreneurs Executive in Residence Programs: Senior executives on secondment to Fellows
Value of AshokaSomewhatCriticalTotal Ashoka helped me to see my work through a new perspective 35%56%91% Ashoka gives me unconditional acceptance of my work 39%50%89% The selection process helped me strengthen and develop my idea 40%49%89% Ashoka helped me to increase my impact 38%49%87% My involvement with Ashoka helped me gain greater support and recognition from others 42%43%85% Ashoka connected me with others who were important to my work 32%52%84% Ashoka helped me to spread my idea 40%35%75% Ashoka helped me to strengthen my organization 37%36%73%
"Ashoka gave us lots of good friends, people like us, on a platter. It was my role to exploit that, and I have. With Fellows, theres no insecurity about the concept. Its not a typical donation, charity model. They are not money-minded. They are family” Anshu Gupta, Ashoka Fellow
“For me, being a part of the Ashoka Fellowship was a soul searching exercise- focusing on my inner strengths and also my weaknesses.” Hasina Kharbhih, Ashoka Fellow 2006