Ashoka
What We Do
In a rapidly changing world, our societies are increasingly connected and facing common challenges. Social and environmental change is now necessary, more than ever before and it needs new mindsets and models to be effective.
Ashoka identifies and supports the world's leading social entrepreneurs, learns from the patterns in their innovations, and mobilizes a global community that embraces these new frameworks to build an "everyone a changemaker world."
Read about Ashoka's Key Ideas and Theory of Change for this historic moment, the new inequality, and the new framework that they require.
Ashoka's activities in Switzerland
Through Ashoka's presence in more than 90 countries, we are building and amplifying this global movement through three areas of activity. Discover who we are here.
See below the programs that are active in Switzerland, for programs active in other countries check the bottom of the page.
1. Search
We find and cultivate social entrepreneurs in every corner of the world, whose system-changing innovations solve deep-rooted social problems.
2. Community
We mobilize a network of individuals and organizations, and build collective capacity to address global challenges by unlocking their potential to act as changemakers. We partner with a range of stakeholders: foundations, universities, corporations, civil society organizations, media and other.
Ashoka Support Network
Are you looking for ways to make an impact? The Ashoka Support Network (ASN) is a global community of committed leaders who share and advocate for Ashoka’s values and vision. ASN members support Ashoka financially and strategically, while unleashing their own potential as changemakers.
The ASN is composed of 350+ members worldwide in more than 40 countries. Read our ASN brochure to learn more about how members bring value to and benefit from the Ashoka network.
Support Young Changemakers (GenC)
The Generation Changemaker Youth Program (GenC) supports young people aged 14-24 in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria who are dedicated to promote the common good. Resources and formats from the world of Ashoka and its partner organizations are catered to the needs of young Changemakers to guide them on their journey and make their voices be heard. The goal of GenC is to reshape the public perception of young people by highlighting their expertise and taking their concerns seriously. The program cultivates a cross-boarder network and facilitates connections among young Changemakers for collaborative learning and exchange.
3. Ecosystem
We inspire and enable changemaking in the public-at-large, and work to give all individuals the confidence and tools to solve problems for the good of all.
Funding Systems Change Initiative
Systemic challenges require systemic answers, but currently the dominant funding practices and ill-suited to support them.
This is what a coalition of foundations and changemakers in Switzerland came together to tackle. In a one-year co-learning journey, they shared insights, best practices and developed prototypes to transform existing funding mechanisms to better support systems change.
Our Partners in Switzerland
Nestlé
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company, with 2000 brands and are present in 190 countries worldwide. Their purpose is to enhance the quality of life and contribute to a healthier future, inspiring people to live healthier lives.
Impact Hub
Impact Hub is a rapidly expanding, diverse global network of over 15,000+ members in 80+ locations. Impact Hubs are where change goes to work. Part innovation lab, part business incubator, and part community center, it offers members a unique ecosystem of resources, inspiration, and collaboration opportunities to grow impact. The company believes a better world evolves through the combined accomplishments of creative, committed and compassionate individuals focused on a common purpose. It offers the opportunity join its diverse community of members and collaborators to inspire, connect, and enable people to develop their best work every step of the way.
Impact Hub
Impact Hub is a rapidly expanding, diverse global network of over 15,000+ members in 80+ locations. Impact Hubs are where change goes to work. Part innovation lab, part business incubator, and part community center, it offers members a unique ecosystem of resources, inspiration, and collaboration opportunities to grow impact. The company believes a better world evolves through the combined accomplishments of creative, committed and compassionate individuals focused on a common purpose. It offers the opportunity join its diverse community of members and collaborators to inspire, connect, and enable people to develop their best work every step of the way.
Fondation Didier et Martine Primat
La Fondation Didier et Martine Primat sensibilise les populations et les pouvoirs publics aux enjeux planétaires liés aux activités humaines et contribue à façonner un monde plus responsable par le soutien de projets éducatifs et d'actions concrètes encourageant l'émergence de modes de vie conscients et durables.
Fondation Didier et Martine Primat
La Fondation Didier et Martine Primat sensibilise les populations et les pouvoirs publics aux enjeux planétaires liés aux activités humaines et contribue à façonner un monde plus responsable par le soutien de projets éducatifs et d'actions concrètes encourageant l'émergence de modes de vie conscients et durables.
Agence de Coopération Internationale de la Confédération Suisse (SDC)
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency. In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation.
Agence de Coopération Internationale de la Confédération Suisse (SDC)
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency. In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation.
Johnson & Johnson Foundation Scotland
The Johnson & Johnson Foundation Scotland works with partners to co-create projects focusing on building and strengthening a robust primary care health workforce – made up of capable, confident and resilient nurses, midwives and community health workers – to provide quality care to the communities they serve.
Johnson & Johnson Foundation Scotland
The Johnson & Johnson Foundation Scotland works with partners to co-create projects focusing on building and strengthening a robust primary care health workforce – made up of capable, confident and resilient nurses, midwives and community health workers – to provide quality care to the communities they serve.
HEG-FR
The Fribourg School of Management's primary mission is to generate pioneering ideas for teaching which will advance the practice of business management in companies and organizations.
Frey Charitable Foundation
Swiss Foundation supporting education and youth leadership
EPFL Tech4Impact
Tech4Impact is EPFL’s flagship initiative for accelerating groundbreaking and sustainable technological solutions that create positive societal and environmental impact.
They provide a common platform to engage with students, researchers, entrepreneurs, corporates, NGOs, international organizations, as well as society at large in order to realize innovative and entrepreneurial solutions that have the potential to achieve sustainable impact.
EPFL Tech4Impact
Tech4Impact is EPFL’s flagship initiative for accelerating groundbreaking and sustainable technological solutions that create positive societal and environmental impact.
They provide a common platform to engage with students, researchers, entrepreneurs, corporates, NGOs, international organizations, as well as society at large in order to realize innovative and entrepreneurial solutions that have the potential to achieve sustainable impact.
collaboratio helvetica
They create spaces for open dialogue, experimentation & collaboration to co-create the Switzerland we want to live in. Together.
Oak Foundation
Oak Foundation is family-led and reflects the vision and values of its founders. In all its work Oak pursues rights-based approaches, gender equality and partnership with the organisations we fund. They support civil society as a pillar of democracy and justice and nurture innovation and visionary leadership within it. Oak values diversity both within Oak and among our partners; they seek to be inclusive, flexible and engage with different points of view. Oak believes that the best grant-making reflects both careful due diligence and the willingness to take risks.
Oak Foundation
Oak Foundation is family-led and reflects the vision and values of its founders. In all its work Oak pursues rights-based approaches, gender equality and partnership with the organisations we fund. They support civil society as a pillar of democracy and justice and nurture innovation and visionary leadership within it. Oak values diversity both within Oak and among our partners; they seek to be inclusive, flexible and engage with different points of view. Oak believes that the best grant-making reflects both careful due diligence and the willingness to take risks.
Stiftung Mercator Schweiz
The Stiftung Mercator Schweiz is committed to an open, solidary and ecologically sustainable society that offers everyone fair opportunities and opportunities to help shape things.
Discover our programs around the world
Above you have explored Ashoka's programs active in Switzerland, many of them are also active worldwide. There are other programs though, that are either active in other specific countries or globally, but haven't yet found a local application in Switzerland. Browse them to discover the full Ashoka universe.
Our Reports, Resources and Legal Information
Ashoka as a Global organization is registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in the United States of America, and is registered as a foundation with no profit-making purposes in Switzerland.
Find out more about our legal information, our activities in Switzerland and our Annual and Partnership reports by clicking below.