Ashoka is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and supporting the world’s leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with innovative solutions to urgent social, cultural, and environmental challenges. Guided by its vision of a world where everyone is a changemaker, Ashoka works to grow a global community capable of driving lasting positive change. The organization believes that the most powerful force for change is a new idea in the hands of a committed individual, and since 1980, it has helped pioneer the field by electing these leaders into the Ashoka Arab World Fellowship Program.
Program Benefits and Support
• Financial Support: Fellows receive a needs-based living stipend, typically for up to three years, enabling them to commit full-time to developing and scaling their innovation.
• Global Network: Fellows join a global network of thousands of Ashoka Fellows across more than 90 countries, gaining access to peer support, strategic collaboration opportunities, and increased visibility.
• Capacity Building: The program provides access to capacity-building resources, pro bono professional services, and strategic connections to help expand the venture’s impact.
• Strategic Partnerships: Fellows may benefit from collaborations with partners such as Boehringer Ingelheim for healthcare solutions, McKinsey & Company for strategy and impact evaluation, and Deloitte for accounting, payroll, and tax support.
Eligibility Criteria
• Innovative Idea: Applicants must present an innovative idea that can fundamentally change patterns within a sector such as education, health, environment, or human rights.
• Full-Time Commitment: Candidates are expected to be fully committed to driving the impact of their venture.
• Core Qualities: Ashoka looks for individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurial quality, creativity, the potential for significant social impact, and strong ethical fiber.
• Organizational Status: Applicants should be leading a registered organization, which may be nonprofit or hybrid in structure, and should have early traction or evidence of impact.
Application and Selection Process
• Application Deadline: Applications are due by 01 September.
• Selection Stages: The selection process is rigorous and typically includes several stages, such as an initial screening call, an in-depth interview, a panel review, and a final board decision.
• Due Diligence: Depending on the region, the process may also include due diligence and site visits to further assess the venture and its impact.
Through its Venture & Fellowship pathway, Ashoka continues to build an enabling ecosystem for social innovation. By identifying and electing Ashoka Fellows, the organization fosters a global network of innovators developing solutions in critical fields such as education, health, and economic development. Its impact is reflected not only in the millions of lives reached, but also in the systemic changes these Fellows drive—helping establish new norms and inspiring future generations of changemakers.