About Us
Welcome to Ashoka Ireland!
Ashoka is leading a profound transformation in society. In the past three decades, the global citizen sector, led by social entrepreneurs, has grown exponentially. Rather than leaving societal needs for the government or business sectors to address, social entrepreneurs are creating innovative solutions, delivering extraordinary results, and improving the lives of millions of people.
It is this insight into the power of social entrepreneurs that led Bill Drayton to found Ashoka in 1980 and that continues to guide Ashoka today.
Beginning with the first Ashoka Fellows elected in India in 1981, Ashoka has grown to an association of over 2,000 Fellows in over 60 countries. During its first decade in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Central Europe, Ashoka focused exclusively on launching leading social entrepreneurs and helping them succeed. But in the 1990s as the citizen sector evolved and grew, Ashoka responded with a wider range of programs and initiatives to deal with the sector's growing needs.
Today Ashoka is in its third period of rapid growth, electing record numbers of Fellows in 2009 and expanding its programs in East Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe—including Ireland and Scandinavia.
Along with our global network of Fellows, business entrepreneurs, policy makers, investors, academics, and journalists, Ashoka is now working collectively to ensure that social entrepreneurs and their innovations continue to inspire a new generation of local changemakers to create positive social change.
“ Ashoka made me believe big was possible.You have to believe big before you can achieve big.”
Caroline Casey – Founder & CEO - The Aisling Foundation & O2 Ability Awards
Ashoka has built momentum behind the social entrepreneurship movement in Ireland through our Annual Social Entrepreneurship Forum, Ashoka Support Network Events, and awareness-building PR and Advertising activities.
“ There is this feeling within the Ashoka network that we are all going to change the world, and we can do it together. I see it happening and am so excited to be a part of it.”
Tara Cunningham – Founder & CEO - Release Communication Intervention
Ireland must look to import the most innovative ideas and institutions from around the world. Ashoka Ireland are well placed to facilitate this and have designed a programme called the Localizer to support incoming social entrepreneurs with market research, networking and fundraising meetings, office services, consulting services, access to Ashoka friends and advisory councils. Ashoka Ireland are bringing the most innovative ideas from around the world back home as well--there are ten Ashoka Fellows actively working to launch their organisations in Ireland and we are always looking for other innovative ideas to import.
We have an active Ashoka Support Network in Ireland and expanding partnerships to further expand this network. We have a young entrepreneurial team, a first class network of strategic partners and advisors, and exciting plans – all providing a strong platform for accelerated growth over the coming years.
