About the Ashoka
Visionary Program
The Ashoka Visionary Program is a pioneering, part-time leadership program for changemakers from civil society, philanthropy, business, media and public sectors from all over the world.
Are you an innovative executive and want to be equipped with the know-how and skills to solve societal problems in an entrepreneurial way? The cohort-based program offers a comprehensive learning package around changemaking & systems change, a one-of-a-kind global network, and moments with peers to remember.
Join the next cohort of 30 diverse social leaders for a 7-month transformational learning journey!
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Your journey with Visionary Program is about unfolding the potential of a changemaker within yourself.
We carefully curate a space in which you will:
reflect on your changemaker journey – so far and in the future
explore how you can maximize social impact – using systems change tools
connect and co-create with peers across sectors, topics and countries
Visionary Program is the only place in the world where you can access all Ashoka’s learnings on systems change – in a coherent way and from the authors, meet multiple Ashoka Fellows in real life and become part of the global family of changemakers.
OLGA SHIROBOKOVA
Director, Ashoka Visionary Program
Lead of Knowledge
11 years of the Ashoka visionary program 40 years of ashoka
WHY WE CREATED THE PROGRAM
Ashoka is the largest network of changemakers in the world, consistently named one of the TOP10 social good organizations globally.
In 1980, we coined the term “social entrepreneur” – referring to people who notice social and environmental problems, take action und not only fix symptoms, but improve systems for the good of all. For 45+ years now, we have been identifying, connecting and supporting such people improving systems around the world whom we call Ashoka Fellows – over 4.000 by today.
We have learned a great deal from them on how exactly they change systems. And we are making this wisdom accessible to changemakers around the world. We’ve already opened up a lot of our network knowledge online.
And for all those seeking a transformative in-person learning experience in a community of peers, Visionary Program is the unique offer.
Your Learning Journey
Now let’s get to the core of the program that you’ve been waiting for! Your journey will consist of 5 modules x 2.5 days each and cover the most important elements of an impactful changemaker journey.
5 MODULES – 5 TRANSFORMATIONAL WEEKENDS
1
Changemaking & impact
Changemaking & impact
Exploring changemaking and impact in their different manifestation
October 15-17
2026
2
Systems behind problems
Systems behind problems
Understanding systems behind problems and formulating targeted systemic changes
November 26-28
2026
3
Mindset shift & scaling solutions
Mindset shift & scaling solutions
Designing a strategy to shift mindsets & learning to scale-up proven solutions
January 21-23
2027
4
Leadership & funding
Leadership & funding
Mastering leadership at inner, organizational and ecosystem levels & exploring hybrid funding for systems change
March, 4-6
2027
5
Storytelling at systems level
Storytelling at systems level
Crafting a story of a systems-level changemaker that will move people and open doors
April 16-18
2027
Your learning experience will include team bonding, theoretical inputs from cutting edge experts, inspirational meetings with social entrepreneurs, case study work, group reflection, applying learnings to your case, pitches, thought partnership and online check-in’s, as well as evening events with space for networking and extracurricular whole-human activities.
Who you will meet
Meet some of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, pioneers of social innovation and change, representatives of big foundations like Ondrej Liska (Regional Director Porticus CEE/MENAT) as well as business leaders like Emmanuel de Lutzel (Vice President BNP Paribas) or Stephan Dertnig (Business angel, trainer & investor; formerly Founder BCG Russia) in each of the 5 modules. Over the course of the program, you will benefit from a powerful network and build your own strong connections. With…
GROUNDBREAKING ASHOKA FELLOWS, LIKE THESE:
KAREN TSE
Ashoka Fellow, Founder of International Bridges to Justice
Building international coalitions to support public defenders in emerging democracies.
WALBURGA FRÖHLICH
Ashoka Fellow, Co-Founder of atempo
creating equal opportunities for people with severe learning difficulties, incl. a digital tool to simplify difficult and incomprehensible words and phrases
Meet the Ashoka Fellows who joined the Ashoka Visionary Program before.
LEADING EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, LIKE THESE:
OUR NETWORK IN THREE PILLARS
Key Experts & Speakers
During the program, you will learn from a diverse, selected experts and pioneering practitioners:
• Ashoka Fellows, and other world-class social entrepreneurs.
• academic experts from Ashoka’s network of partner universities.
Social Entrepreneurs
You can choose to work together with an Ashoka Fellow or another leading social entrepreneur.
Alternatively, you can work on your own impact challenges in co-creation with a diverse team. Be surprised by the diverse changemakers you will meet as participants in your cohort.
Alumni Network
You will become part of our global Visionary Program Alumni network that connects changemakers and their ideas.
As an Alumnus/a, you will be invited to join Ashoka’s events across Europe and become a valued member of the global social entrepreneurship movement.
Our partners
in europe
in europe
