Apply for the Ashoka Visionary Program 2025-26 – a collective, in-person learning experience like no other
The Ashoka Visionary Program is a pioneering part-time leadership program for current and aspiring social entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and change leaders from all sectors. It equips participants with the skills, frameworks, and networks necessary to create and scale social impact.
This program is for you if you:
- Are a social entrepreneur, changemaker, or leader from the citizen sector, philanthropy, business, government, media, or education—whether well-established in your field or navigating a career transition—who is committed to making a meaningful impact.
- Want to gain proven tools to drive systems change and amplify your changemaking and social impact efforts.
- Are looking for a strong community of like-minded peers who will support and challenge you along the way.
Through the Ashoka Visionary Program, participants gain exclusive access to Ashoka’s 40+ years of expertise, global networks, and practice-based tools. Since its launch in 2015, the program has expanded from its origins at Ashoka Austria to three regions: Central and Eastern Europe, East Africa, and the Mediterranean. More than 300 participants from 35+ countries have graduated, forming a powerful global alumni community committed to systemic change.
WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
The Ashoka Visionary Program goes beyond theory. It’s a hands-on, practice-based learning journey where you apply insights directly to your own challenges. Whether you’re launching a new initiative, scaling an existing one, or rethinking your leadership approach, this program equips you with the tools, strategies, and network to make it happen.
- Learn from the world’s top social entrepreneurs – Gain direct insights from Ashoka Fellows and other leading social entrepreneurs who have transformed entire industries through systems-changing solutions.
- Master proven tools and strategies for impact – Through seven practice-based modules, access systems change methodologies and insights distilled from Ashoka’s 40+ years of experience in driving large-scale social transformation.
- Join a dynamic, cross-sectoral community – Become part of an energizing global network of changemakers from diverse sectors and countries, fostering thought partnership and long-term collaboration.
- Accelerate your changemaking and leadership skills – Develop responsible leadership, refine your changemaking strategies, and reflect on your personal journey and purpose
Apply by April 30, 2025, to receive a 10% early bird discount on the program fee!
9 MONTHS – 7 MODULES – 1 TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY
The program consists of seven modules, each lasting two days (Friday and Saturday).
Module 1 – Social entrepreneurship, innovation and changemaking
Spotting opportunities in the emerging market of social entrepreneurship for new system-changing ideas, social innovations, and collaborations.
Systems Change Strategy
Identifying root causes of the problem, formulating targeted systemic changes and designing a strategy to make them happen
Module 3 – Influencing narratives, mindsets, and behaviors
Uncovering mental models that play a critical role in maintaining the status-quo and designing actionable pathways to establish new narratives and norms.
Module 4 – Scaling up solutions and co-creation
Increasing the reach of proven solutions via replication and getting government and corporate partners to take up and institutionalize ideas.
Module 5 – Hybrid business models for system change
Learning about key principles of funding systems change and crafting hybrid models of securing resources.
Module 6 – Leadership, Collaborative Impact and Changemaking Networks
Getting inspired by the leadership style that unlocks changemaker potential of people and builds fertile ground for collective action.
Module 7 – Storytelling for changemakers
Designing and communicating powerful stories that motivate people to join your (ad)venture.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
TARGET GROUP
- Social entrepreneur, changemaker, or leader from the citizen sector, philanthropy, business, government, media, or education. Visionaries and pioneers seeking new career paths, business opportunities, or ways to create systemic change in society.
Please note: A minimum of five years of changemaking experience and fluency in English are required to apply. While you do not need to reside in the CEE region to participate, you must be able to travel to Vienna for the in-person modules.
DURATION AND LOCATION
- 7 modules (2 days each) over 9 months from October 2025 to June 2026
- 15 days of in-person sessions (Friday and Saturday)
- Location: Vienna, Austria – One module may take place in another city within the CEE region.
COMMITMENT
- This is an intensive learning journey, requiring participants to attend seven in-person modules over nine months, fostering strong connections and collaborations.
- The program fee is EUR 10,000 (excl. VAT), with stipends available—more details can be found on the program website. Selected Ashoka Fellows can join for a reduced fee of EUR 1,000.
ONLINE INFO CALLS
💻 Join an upcoming info session to dive into program details, meet the team, and get your questions answered. This is your chance to explore how the
Sign up for your preferred date HERE.
