An Introduction to Ashoka UK
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION MAPPING THE GLOBAL NETWORK VENTURE: SEARCHING FOR THE UK’S LEADING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS The Ashoka Fellowship: Accelerating systemic change MEET THE UK FELLOWS CHANGEMAKER EDUCATION Critical Changes MEET THE UK CHANGEMAKER SCHOOLS Partnerships: WORKING WITH BUSINESS TO CREATE CHANGE ASN: CONNECTING BUSINESS LEADERS TO SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS Influencing the Public Sphere: LEADERS EXPERIENCE CHANGE THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
“Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionised the fishing industry.” Bill Drayton Ashoka Founder and CEO
1 2 4 5 6 12 14 16 18 19 20 21
Ashoka is a network addressing the world’s most pressing problems by convening and supporting groups of changemakers. We identify and accelerate social innovation, whether in social entrepreneurship, education or business. Working across sectors we are building a world where everyone is equipped and empowered to create their own change.
1
Mapping the global Network:
270
84 Fellowship: 3268 fellows in 89 countries
469
40
Changemaker Schools: 260 schools in 28 countries
39
Ashoka Support Network: 400 Business Leaders in 22 countries
40
985
Ashoka’s Global Partnerships
40 Local Country Offices
2
Ashoka UK: 16 37 15 2 37
Full time Staff Fellows Changemaker Schools Changemaker Campuses Ashoka Support Network Members
300 75 102
20
657 20
335
42 450
3
VENTURE:
Searching for the UK’s leading social entrepreneurs Since its founding in 1980 Ashoka has been identifying and selecting the world’s leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows. We have designed a rigorous selection process to elect those entrepreneurs who truly create systemic change.
Selection Criteria New Idea
Entrepreneurialism
Is this a new idea, solution, or approach to a social problem that will change the pattern in a field?
Does the individual have the determination, ingenuity and realism which characterise a world-class entrepreneur?
Creativity
Social Impact
Does the individual approach opportunities and obstacles with creativity?
Is the idea likely to solve a social problem at a national or international level?
Do you know a future Fellow? Anyone can nominate! Go to uk.ashoka.org/nominate-fellow
Ethical Fibre Is the individual trustworthy and do they have the highest ethical standards?
Selection Process 1. Nomination
3. international assessment
5. Board decision in Washington DC
6 - 9 MONTHS 2. local assessment
4. external assessment 4
The Ashoka Fellowship: Accelerating systemic change
£1.8m of
The support provided by the Ashoka Fellowship enables entrepreneurs to change systems and lead us into a world in which everyone can be a changemaker.
Delivering impact in 5 key areas through Lifelong Support Network access •
Connections to partners, global corporations and philanthropists • ASN advisory work • Networking events
value created in 2016
1:17
Return on investment
93% of surveyed UK Fellows say that Ashoka helped them progress towards systemic change
Visibility
Transformative skills
•
Connections to journalists Connections to media partners • Speaking opportunities
•
Peer-to-peer community
Time and Investment
Workshops and accelerator programmes • Access to our pro bono partners • Personal coaching
•
• •
Retreats, dinners Connections to over 3200 Fellows
70% of the UK Fellows are
thought leaders in their field
• Stipend • •
Hybrid Finance Initiative Connections to funding partners
Around 57% have influenced other organisations or seen their work replicated by others
59% are impacting at
68% have influenced
an international level
public policies
5
Meet the UK Fellows: * Indicates a Fellow elected in another country but currently based in the UK.
Inclusion John Bird | The Big Issue | Elected in 2015 John has pioneered the idea of ‘a hand up rather than a hand out’ by empowering homeless people to earn a legitimate income by selling a high quality product. Jane Davis | The Reader | Elected in 2013 Redefining the role that reading aloud can play in improving mental health, community and wellbeing through bringing small groups together to read books and poems. Karen Mattison | Timewise Jobs | Elected in 2011 Changing the public perception of the status of part-time work by creating high quality part-time employment across all sectors and salary brackets. Faisel Rahman | Fair Finance | Elected in 2008 Easing access to financial services for the most disadvantaged by ensuring access to products and services fit for low-income individuals. Paul Sinton-Hewitt | parkrun | Elected in 2016 Breaking down barriers to physical activity while simultaneously encouraging community cohesion, parkrun empowers and equips volunteers to organise free weekly 5k runs in over 12 countries.
Mel Young | Homeless World Cup | Elected in 2014 Uses a global football competition to inspire homeless people to change their own lives and to transform how homeless people are viewed. Tamzin Ractliffe | Greater Good South African Trust | Elected in 2008* Building on SIE Fellow Celso Grecco’s model, Tamzin has created a web-based social investment exchange platform to connect high impact citizen sector organizations to investors. 6
Christie Peacock | Sidai Africa Ltd | Elected in 2011* Christie has established a national network of Livestock Service Centers managed by franchises that provide reliable access to affordable and highquality products and services for livestock farmers. Christian de Boisredon | Sparknews | Elected in 2014* Christian is incentivizing the first global community of leading editors-inchief to focus on solutions in the media, versus the traditional focus on failures and problems.
Youth Kelly Davies | Vi-Ability | Elected in 2015 Engaging unemployed local youth to re-energise run-down sports clubs and turn them into sustainable community hubs.
Ruth Ibegbuna | Reclaim | Elected in 2014 Helping young people from working class backgrounds to lead the change they want to see in their local community and thereby working towards ending leadership inequality.
Michael Sani | Bite The Ballot | Elected in 2015 Bridging the gap between politics and youth by engaging young citizens through workshops and interactive educational games.
Lily Lapenna | MyBnk | Elected in 2010 Run by young people for young people, MyBnk delivers financial education whilst also running high-energy workshops on bank ethics and enterprise-building. Sharath Jeevan | STIR EDUCATION | Elected in 2014* Through local “teacher innovator networks�, Sharath launched an international movement of teacher changemakers who are innovating and influencing others to spread best practice in teaching.
7
Karen Spencer | Whole Child International | Elected in 2015* Working in orphanages to educate caregivers and government officials in methodologies of care that put relationships and children’s development first. Muzvare Hazviperi Betty Makoni | Girl Child Network | Elected in 2007* Betty is building a new generation of strong, active women citizens by creating safe spaces for girls to grow and connect with each other.
Technology Ken Banks | Kiwanja / Means Of Exchange | Elected in 2011 Devoted to the application of mobile technology for positive social and environmental change in the developed and developing world.
Rufus Pollock | Open Knowledge | Elected in 2013 Enabling access to key information and providing the tools and training to teach the public how to turn that data into knowledge.
Tom Steinberg | mySociety | Elected in 2009 Using the Internet to remove barriers to civic participation in politics and making democracy meaningful, accessible and effective in addressing citizens’ needs.
Human Rights James Bevan | Conflict Armament Research | Elected in 2014 Tracking the international trade routes of illicit weapons by collecting first-hand data on small arms and ammunition.
Fredrik Galtung | Integrity Action | Elected in 2015 Integrity Action works to build institutions that promote openness and are responsive to their citizens’ needs. 8
Esther Rantzen | ChildLine / The Silver Line | Elected in 2015 Pioneered the world’s first free and confidential 24/7 child helpline. Empowering children to voice abuse Esther has changed public debate as well as policy on child protection. Oren Yakobovich | Videre Est Credere | Elected in 2014 A global network equipping oppressed communities in hard-to-access areas with technology and training to effectively expose human rights violations. Anil Patil | Carers Worldwide | Elected in 2015* Anil is drawing attention to the emotional, social and economic challenges that carers face in developing countries.
Criminal Justice Annys Darkwa | Vision Housing | Elected in 2011 Making Housing accessible for prisoners upon their release by building links with private sector landlords.
Mark Johnson | User Voice / Cando Coffee | Elected in 2011 Giving offenders and service users a voice in the design of the criminal justice system to meaningfully impact the services affecting them.
Shauneen Lambe | Just For Kids Law | Elected in 2012 Reframing the way in which the UK criminal justice system interacts with children by moving away from their stigmatisation towards positive intervention. Alexander McLean | African Prisons Project | Elected in 2014 Working to restore dignity and hope in prisons across Kenya and Uganda by giving prisoners and prison staff access to education, health and justice.
9
Junior Smart | SOS Project | Elected in 2009 A tailor-made mentoring programme led by ex-offenders who work with prisoners both before and after their release in order to lower the reoffending rate. Vickie Wambura Wamonje | Nafisika Trust | Elected in 2013* Vickie is unlocking the potential of ex-prisoners and reducing their rate of recidivism by redefining the role of prisons as safe spaces for reformation.
Health Mohammad Al-Ubaydli | Patients Know Best | Elected in 2012 Empowering patients to take control of their own medical records through an online platform enabling them to access and share the information. Simon Berry | ColaLife | Elected in 2015 Inspired by Coca Cola’s access to last mile markets, Simon catalysed the private market to play a role in healthcare, distributing lifesaving diarrhea treatments to hospitals as well as corner shops. Andrea Coleman | Riders for Health | Elected in 2014 Managing vehicles and providing training to build local capacity for highly skilled technicians to service vehicles that are used in the delivery of healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa. Charlie Howard | MAC-UK / TIM | Elected in 2013 Providing “Streetherapy” to young gang members by taking mental health work out of the clinic and onto the streets to make it accessible to excluded young people.
Nick Sireau | SolarAid / Findacure | Elected in 2010 Having initially set up SolarAid providing solar lights to some of the most remote regions of the world, Nick is now raising awareness and driving research into curing fundamental diseases.
10
Chris Underhill | BasicNeeds | Elected in 2012 Enabling people with mental illness in developing countries to live and work successfully by allowing them to earn a living after they have received community-based treatment.
Environment Alasdair Harris | Blue Ventures | Elected in 2008 Developing transformative approaches for sustaining locally run Marine Protected Areas (MPA) which benefit the economies of local communities. Patrick Holden | Sustainable Food Trust | Elected in 2016 Patrick is catalysing and creating methodologies that incentivize everyone – from farmers to food retailers to be part of the solution towards sustainable food systems.
Rob Hopkins | Transition Network | Elected in 2009 Aims to reduce CO2 emissions and dependence on oil by training and inspiring communities to take action to live in a more sustainable world.
Tristram Stuart | Feedback | Elected in 2015 Campaigning at every level of the food system by engaging stakeholders in the value chain to change society’s attitude towards wasting food.
James Thornton | ClientEarth | Elected in 2013 Building a network of politically neutral legal experts who design and advocate for enforceable science-backed environmental policies whilst holding all major stakeholders to account.
The following fellows are currently inactive: Camila Batmanghelidjh, Emma-Jane Cross, Phil Conway, Bob Paterson.
11
Changemaker Education:
Empowering young people to create a better world Being empowered to live for the common good (what Ashoka calls being a changemaker) involves taking responsibility and collaborating with others to make life better for yourself, your family, your community, humanity, and the planet.
Changemaking is a way of being. It involves being empathic and thoughtful, being curious and creative, being resilient and effective.
Becoming a changemaker, then, is a process of becoming equipped with (and inclined to use) a sophisticated worldview and a complex array of changemaking skills.
Within the limits imposed by our genes, the extent to which we become empowered is determined by the experiences we have throughout childhood and adolescence.
For the new world to become our better world, we need to build new learning ecologies in which whole communities work together to provide every young person with journeys that help them become a changemaker. These ecologies will leverage existing resources but won’t be constrained by traditional school models. They will be centred around 13 critical changes we want to see in education.
12
“No part of the human race is separate either from other human beings or from the global ecosystem. It will not be possible in this integrated world for your heart to succeed if your lungs fail, or for your company to succeed if your workers fail, or for the rich in Los Angeles to succeed if the poor in Los Angeles fail, or for Europe to succeed if Africa fails, or for the global economy to succeed if the global environment fails.” Donella Meadows Environmental Scientist and author of ‘Thinking In Systems’ Ashoka uses ‘systems thinking’ to inform our approach in creating social change. It informs our understanding of Ashoka Fellows and our strategy around education and business. 13
Critical Changes: Reconfiguring the Education System We are mobilising in 13 key areas globally to generate a systemic change in the way that young people grow up:
Money will be used to encourage and sustain the equitable and effective provision of empowering learning experiences to every young person.
Technologies will be used to maximise access to learning experiences that empower young people. 12
Research will be applied widely and effectively to fuel innovation and mainstream good practice.
13
11
10 Impact evaluations will judge the success of schools and programmes in terms of their effectiveness in helping young people becoming changemakers.
9 Student assessments will contribute positively to empowering young people to make a better world.
14
8 Curricula & Policies will create time, space and demand for learning experiences that are empowering.
Parents will demand learning experiences that empower their children to make a better world.
Young people will have a voice in the system and aspire to make positive change. 2
1
3
Teachers & educators will be trained, supported and trusted to prioritise the empowerment of young people.
Education Leaders will empower educators and others in the ecosystem to empower young people and lead system change.
4
5
Universities will prioritise changemaking experience in their admissions practices.
6 Employers will evaluate and organise staff based on their changemaking experience.
7 Media will celebrate people who make positive change and contribute to empowering young people. 15
MEET THE UK CHANGEMAKER SCHOOLS: Glasgow Caledonian University *
Matthew Moss High School, Rochdale State Secondary School, Ages 11-18
Studio School, Liverpool Public Secondary, Ages 14-19
Victoria Park Academy, Birmingham Primary Academy, Ages 3-11
UWC Atlantic College, Wales Residential Sixth Form College Ages 16-19
Cadoxton Primary School, Wales Public Primary, Ages 5-11
*
Changemaker campuses are part of a global network of 150 colleges and campuses who foster campus-wide culture of social innovation. More info on www.AshokaU.org 16
Sands School, Devon Independent Democratic School, Ages 11-17
Sidcot School, Somerset Private Secondar
ry, Ages 3-18
Carlogie Primary School, Scotland Public Primary, Ages 3-12
Barrowford Primary School, Lancashire State Primary, Ages 4-11
Spinney Primary School, Cambridge State Primary, Ages 3-11
The University of Northampton *
Torriano Primary School, London Public Primary, Ages 3-11 School 21, London Free School, Ages 4-18 Millfields Community School, London Community Primary School, Ages 3-11
Stanley Park High School, Surrey State Secondary, Ages 11-19
Dragon School, Oxford Independent Middle School, Ages 8-13
17
Partnerships:
Working with business to create social change We design innovative partnerships with companies that go beyond traditional CSR in order to address social issues at the core of their business and help integrate social impact within their work by building skills, knowledge, culture and resources.
Solving Pressing Problems in Industry Case Study: Healthcare With pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim we are working together to improve access to healthcare •
Identified and supported 75 social entrepreneurs innovating in healthcare • Ran 3 competitions to source 147 innovations from over 40 countries • Paired 45 projects with BI employees to co-create solutions and pitch them to leadership
Creating a company-wide culture of innovation Case Study: Various Working with companies such as Mastercard Foundation, Hogan Lovells and Boehringer Ingelheim •
Co-designed 6 week online social intrapreneurship courses to help ignite creativity and train staff on social innovation in their sector • Designed social finance training modules for Hogan Lovells graduate scheme
Establishing Sector Expertise Case Study: Finance With UBS we are working to develop global expertise in social finance •
Co-designed a social finance toolkit for social entrepreneurs Running an accelerator programme to support 12 social enterprises to gain access to finance • Co-Published a series of 8 thought leadership pieces on Forbes •
18
The Ashoka Support Network: Connecting Business Leaders to the world’s leading social entrepreneurs The Ashoka Support Network (ASN) is a global community of successful business leaders who connect with Ashoka Fellows to accelerate positive social change. They support Ashoka and its Fellows financially as well as strategically, offering their time, networks and expertise.
Providing Mentorship
Building a Network
Becoming an Ambassador
Participating on an Advisory Board
Bringing in Expertise
Investing Resources
Working on Paradigm-Shifting Ideas
Building New Partnerships
ASN members have exclusive access to Ashoka Fellows in more than 88 countries, with ample opportunity to meet these social leaders and engage with their work.
INSPIRATION, INNOVATION AND IMPACT
UK ASN members: and growing‌
400
37
Global ASN members
Are you interested in joining the ASN? Get in touch: infouk@ashoka.org 19
Influencing the Public Sphere
Working with leaders in business, politics and the media to change the conversation Ashoka sees changemakers everywhere, whether they are full time social entrepreneurs, head teachers, journalists, CEOs or MPs. We build communities of leaders across sectors and we work with them in a variety of ways.
The Ashoka Changemaker Journey Visiting Ashoka Fellows, Changemaker Schools and our business and media partners, the Ashoka Changemaker Journey gives leaders from different fields a glimpse of the new world Ashoka envisions. Previous hosts for the journey have ranged from Paul Polman at Unilever to UserVoice at Pentonville Prison to School21.
The Ashoka Journal With contributors ranging from the philosopher A.C. Grayling to the CEO of ZipCar, Robin Chase and Nobel Prize winning social entrepreneur, Muhammad Yunus, The Ashoka Journal brings together thinkers and leaders from across sectors to give a new perspective on contemporary challenges.
Roundtable Discussions and Sector Specific Conversations Working with senior officials in business, social enterprise and government we have convened conversations on topics ranging from creating systemic social change to reforming the health sector.
20
With Thanks To: Financial Supporters:
Pro Bono Supporters: AlphaSights, Creative Leadership Consultants, Egon Zehnder, Latham & Watkins, McKinsey & Co, TrustLaw.
Sector Supporters & Partners:
Media Partners:
Addidi Wealth Management, BeyondMe, ClearlySo, Euclid Network, Generation Change, Impact Hub, Impetus Trust, London Business School, MakeSense, Mix-Fits, NACUE, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, School for Social Entrepreneurs, Social Enterprise UK, Social Enterprise Scotland, Student Hubs, Teach First, The Economist Foundation, The Funding Network, The Royal Society of Arts, The Young Foundation, UnLtd, Whole Education, With a special thanks to Perdurance Philanthropy.
Business Fights Poverty, Forbes, Huffington Post, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Virgin Unite, Pioneer’s Post, Constructive Voices.
With thanks to the staff and volunteers of Ashoka UK This brochure was produced with thanks to the support of: We’d love to hear from you: Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ashokauk
Ashoka UK 15 Old Ford Road London E2 9PJ UK Tel: +44 (0)20 8980 9416 Email: infouk@ashoka.org Website: uk.ashoka.org
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ashokauk
Ashoka UK is a Registered Charity in England and Wales (1113246). 21