In 2003, Ashoka made a strategic commitment to launching in Western Europe the programmes that have been most successful in developing countries and North America. Ashoka has a long standing presence in Central Europe and has recently opened offices in London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt, Berlin and Dublin. Ireland has been identified as a key strategic location for the design and implementation of Ashoka’s programmes for Western Europe and beyond.

Ashoka opened its doors in Ireland with financial support from a private Foundation. We have since created a partnership with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and elected several Ashoka Fellows and Ashoka-SEI Fellows, with globally unique and highly impactful models. We have since received additional funding from The Irish Youth Foundation and private philanthropists.

Why Ireland? Why Now?

• Despite Ireland's astonishing economic growth over the past ten years, a proliferation of social problems persists: a failing health system, an inequitable education system, lack of affordable housing, environmental degradation, the integration of an increasingly aging population and citizens newly arrived from other parts of the world.
• Citizens across Ireland are increasingly realizing that they must look beyond government and business to solve our society’s problems. Old and newer problems are demanding innovative solutions, and while social entrepreneurs are responding, the necessary supports are not in place. Ashoka Solution - Venture
• Citizen sector organizations are overly dependent on government funding with over 60% of funds coming from this source and only 12% coming from private and corporate donations. It is critical that the sector as a whole build a more sustainable and independent base of support. Ashoka Solution – Citizen Base Initiative
• Many of the solutions to Ireland's social problems exist overseas, but due to a lack if International Co-operations and exchange, they don't find their way here. Ashoka Solution - changemakers.net