Welcome Ashoka Fellows selected in 2024

About Alain

Alain is creating a new grassroots movement for Black men in Germany, centered around their identity as fathers. By doing so, he is helping to foster positive images of Black fatherhood within German identity and systematically centering Black narratives and representation in German culture and society for generations to come, particularly through children's literature. 

The problem

In Germany, anti-Black racism is prevalent but often unacknowledged, with Black men facing deeply negative stereotypes. Additionally, the public library system lacks children's books featuring positive Black-centered stories, leaving Black children without strong role models and representation.
 

Impact

• Alain has tackled these issues by creating Black Dads Germany, the first community for Black men focused on their identity as fathers. This growing movement has gathered over 1,000 dads in seven cities, empowering them as changemakers in their communities. He provides the tools and encouragement needed to start local communities, shaping their self-efficacy and transforming them into “micro-entrepreneurs.” 

• By organizing hundreds of events in public spaces, including readings of Black-centered children's books, these dads are transforming the public image of Black fatherhood in German society.

• Furthermore, Alain collaborates with publishing companies and librarians to introduce new Black-centered books into public libraries, thereby influencing curational practices and creating demand for more diverse children's literature. Through BDG’s influence on public libraries, the increased Black representation in books offers Black children role models and recognition of their identity, an essential first step toward active citizenship and future changemaking. 

Learn more

About Bernardo

Bernardo is igniting the spark of democratic participation in young people by creating a new architecture that enables them to work with their local political representatives, allowing them to make a real, tangible impact in their local community.   

The problem

Youth engagement has alarmingly decreased in conventional forms of politics, with almost 60% of eligible voters aged 18 to 24 in Europe choosing not to vote, and less than 10% being members of a political party. In practice, decision-making spaces are often secured for adults with limited channels for youth participation, resulting in discouragement and a sense of undervaluation. While citizenship modules become mandatory in schools, they remain purely theoretical with ill-equipped teachers to activate youth changemaking.

Impact

• MyPolis is a pioneer model designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and schools and municipalities, offering youth a fun, hands-on experience of democracy in action to develop, present, and implement solutions with their local authorities.   

• Bernardo's vision extends beyond the classroom; he's shaping a society where every voice matters, and everyone has the power to influence and participate in the world around them. MyPolis is revitalizing the interest of young participants and inviting them on a journey of discovery, collaboration, and transformation.

• By fostering assemblies of local authorities and youth, MyPolis acts as an eye-opening opportunity to untap the talent of youth to drive change in their communities and be essential partners of policymakers. 

Learn more

About Antaraa 

Antaraa founded Civis to empower citizens in policymaking, inspired by her early advocacy experience writing to the President of India. Through Civis, she simplifies complex policies, facilitates public feedback, and promotes transparency, ensuring citizens' voices are integrated into decision-making for more inclusive and responsive governance. 

Antaraa has empowered citizens to actively engage in the policymaking process, inspiring individuals to participate in shaping laws that directly impact their lives, particularly through Civis' user-friendly feedback mechanisms and public consultations. 

The Problem 

The problem Antaraa addresses is the lack of citizen participation in policymaking, leading to policies that may not reflect the needs or concerns of the public. This gap fosters mistrust between citizens and the government, undermining the effectiveness and legitimacy of policies. Civis aims to bridge this gap by creating accessible channels for public feedback, ensuring transparency, and promoting collaboration between citizens and policymakers. 

The Impact 

• Empowered over 25,000 citizens to participate in consultations, giving them a voice in the policymaking process. 
• Increased transparency in policy development by making complex policies understandable and ensuring public input is integrated. 
• Ensured more inclusive policies, such as the transgender rights legislation that led to increased access to welfare benefits for the community. 
• Expanded Civis' model to other regions, including Taiwan, and helped five organizations replicate the model across India. 
• Influenced over 777 local policies in India, ensuring they reflect the needs of the public. 

Learn More

About Josep

Josep has pioneered a sustainable health model for chronic illnesses, centered around patients, paving the way for a healthier, longer-lived society with a transformative impact. 

The problem

As a renowned doctor, Josep has observed that chronic diseases affecting millions are often seen as inevitable with aging, receiving limited resources for prevention and treatment. With Spain's senior population expected to increase by 50% in the coming decades, Josep is focusing on rheumatic diseases and joint health, which affect 14% of society, primarily women.

Impact

• Josep pioneered the world's only dedicated foundation for osteoarthritis (OAFI), emphasizing patient-led innovation to reshape the perception, understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

• Josep empowers patients, trains health professionals, and caregivers, highlighting the importance of a healthy joint system for active longevity. 

• At the core of OAFI's mission is empowering patients to become active participants in their treatment and prevention of chronic pain and rheumatic conditions. Traditionally, patients have been passive recipients of prescriptions with limited understanding of their diseases. Josep is pioneering a shift where patients can adopt active lifestyles and non-medication methods to alleviate healthcare burdens and reshape healthcare for longer health spans.

• By fostering an intergenerational community among people with chronic rheumatic diseases, Josep promotes peer-to-peer connections and encourages greater health ownership. 

Learn more

About Myroslava

Migration and exile can often deprive people of agency. Myra seeks to transform the experience of people on the move (migrants and refugees) to one in which they quickly become active contributors to the common good in their new home and homeland. 

The problem

Central and Eastern European societies will be transformed by migration and refugees. Myra knows that new strategies for co-creating the future are essential. She prepares initiatives that empower migrant-run organizations to drive positive change.

Impact

• Myra creates formats, such as Ukrainian House, Women Clubs, and a coalition of minority organizations, enabling people on the move to actively shape society in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. These formats engage tens of thousands of people annually. 

• Myra's strategy revolves around guiding questions that encourage both people on the move and host communities to reflect on various aspects of migration and integration. More importantly, it prompts them to take action.

• Joint activities involving Poles and Ukrainians foster mutual support in exploring identity and finding collective answers. With a long-term perspective, Myra understands that the experiences of Ukrainians and Poles today will shape the future of both societies. 

Learn more

About Caroline

Caroline is attracting innovators into German politics and embedding changemaking into the political system's culture. Recognizing the hierarchical nature of political careers as barriers to creativity and progress, she invigorates the political landscape from within by merging entrepreneurship with politics. She introduced a nationwide scouting and training program for young professionals to experiment, refine ideas, and develop solutions to political challenges. She established Germany’s first incubator for party-level innovation, providing a repository of innovative democratic ideas and nurturing individuals into political entrepreneurs. 

The problem

To counter rising polarization and the right-wing exploitation of political divisions, Caroline sees an urgent need for the political system to nurture new talent with democracy-strengthening ideas.

Impact

• Caroline aims to counteract the lack of innovation entrenched in traditional political career systems by bringing entrepreneurial political changemakers into the arena. Through JoinPolitics, she is fostering a robust community around the political changemakers and positioning them as a valuable resource for parties across the spectrum.

• Within only two years, JoinPolitics has already supported 43 talents, with 7 elected into office and 10 initiatives implemented into party programs and legislative drafts.

• JoinPolitics has also successfully raised over 4 million euros from the private sector into the search and support of political talent over the past four years, creating a significant new funding source for the underfunded area of political innovation. 

• JoinPolitics' participants benefit from a nonpartisan environment to develop ideas and build alliances before entering competitive politics. For instance, Luca Piwodda, 21, partnered with JoinPolitics to engage young people in East Germany, leading to the formation of a new party and the election of 7 local mayors. Similarly, Mehmet Ildeş, 21, founded Local Diversity, a nonpartisan organization empowering young people with migrant backgrounds in political engagement. 

Learn more

About Alef 

Alef Meulenberg, through his organization Rhiza Babuyile, is transforming marginalized South African townships by creating opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, and access to essential services. His initiatives, like early childhood development impact bonds and the nursepreneur model, empower individuals to become self-sufficient. Rhiza’s programs have positively impacted over 150,000 people, focusing on education and sustainable livelihoods for youth, women, and marginalized groups. Alef aims to expand this community-driven, market-based development model across Africa. 

The Problem 

The problem Alef Meulenberg is addressing is the lack of sustainable development and economic opportunities in marginalized South African townships. Many communities face challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare, and financial resources, as well as high unemployment rates. Rhiza Babuyile is focused on tackling these issues by empowering local individuals through skills development, entrepreneurship, and community-driven initiatives to create long-term, self-sustaining opportunities for growth and improved livelihoods. 

The Impact 

• Equipped 9,000 youth with market-relevant skills, supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs, and created 6,000 new jobs in South Africa's townships. His training programs in industries like ICT, agriculture, and fashion enable participants to pursue diverse career paths or start thriving businesses. 
• Alef’s ECD impact bond has supported over 1,000 early learning centers, improving school readiness from 68% to 95%. His nursepreneur model has established 21 primary care clinics providing affordable services, significantly boosting incomes for nurses and improving healthcare access for thousands. 
• By combining innovative financing with local capacity building, Alef has created a replicable development model. His initiatives are expanding regionally, with plans to triple clinics to over 60 and grow ECD programs to reach 350,000 children within five years. 

Learn More

About Monica
 

Monica pioneers the concept of “cultural intellectual property,” empowering indigenous and ethnic groups to safeguard traditional knowledge. Her framework fosters equitable partnerships with corporations, preserving cultural heritage and promoting biodiversity. By bridging cultural and environmental concerns, she champions sustainability amidst global challenges, reshaping narratives of preservation and partnership for a more inclusive future. 

The problem
 

Monica addresses the neglect of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions by creating tools for indigenous and ethnic groups to protect their heritage.

Impact

• She introduces Cultural Intellectual Property, enabling communities to design their protection methods.

• Through the 3Cs Rule (Consent, Credit, Compensation), Monica facilitates fair partnerships with companies, empowering marginalized artisans. For example, a company that wants to use a traditional cultural expression in its product line would agree to using the 3Cs framework and engage the custodians of that cultural expression.

• By intertwining cultural and environmental concerns, she fosters sustainability and inclusivity, offering a new narrative in the global discourse on conservation and creativity. Using the 3Cs Rule she translates these concepts into local languages to explain community rights and agency.

• This framework fosters dialogues about new engagement rules, leading to international partnerships and grassroots-led tools. Monica ensures local communities can exercise self-determination in legally protecting their traditional knowledge and intangible cultural heritage.

Learn more
 

About Monica
 

Katia Melis is centering the Belgian legal aid sector around the individual, through an integrated approach to psychological, social and legal aid. By smartly collaborating with the federal government in Belgium, her integrated model is now studied and measured to become a law and scale from Brussels to all Belgian regions. 

The problem
 

Katia, a Belgian lawyer, recognizes the daunting challenges individuals seeking legal aid often encounter, particularly marginalized communities lacking resources to access adequate support. Navigating a fragmented system involving multiple agencies, these individuals face significant hurdles. Through Casa Legal, Katia and her colleagues are transforming legal aid in Belgium by integrating legal, social, and psychological support.

Impact

•  Casa Legal addresses the problem by providing holistic support through its SAHO model (from French, Service d’Accompagnement Holistique). For instance, a mother who has experienced domestic violence may not only require legal aid but also social (access to social housing) and psychological support (trauma therapy) to navigate her situation effectively.

• Working with social workers, psychologistsand other stakeholders, Casa Legal has helped around 1,200 people, 72% of whom are women.

Learn more
 

About Aditya

The Indian education system has long been criticized for its focus on rote memorization, leaving students ill-equipped for the workforce despite years of formal education. Aditya seeks to shift this paradigm by fostering a culture of innovation, creativity, and problem-solving among youth. His approach aims to prepare students not only to be employable but to become job creators in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. 

He is reforming the Indian education system by integrating hands-on learning into schools and creating a sustainable, scalable model that empowers students, teachers, and communities. Through partnerships with government and nonprofits, he’s changing the system to foster innovation and problem-solving for all. 

The Problem 

The problem lies in the limitations of the current Indian education system, which heavily relies on rote learning. This approach prioritizes memorization over critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, leaving students well-prepared for exams but ill-equipped for the workforce. Despite years of formal education, many students struggle with employability because they lack the practical skills and competencies that industries require. The focus on testing and memorization leads to graduates who may excel academically but fail to develop the skills necessary for real-world challenges, such as teamwork, communication, and innovation. 

The Impact 

• MakerGhat has already reached 1.8 million youth across India, with plans to impact 5 million by the end of 2025. 
• Aditya's teacher training model has successfully empowered educators to transition from traditional teaching methods to becoming facilitators of self-directed learning, creating more innovative and supportive classroom environments. 
• Ongoing evaluations, including randomized controlled trials with Stanford University, are showing measurable improvements in critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. 
• By making its model open-source and flexible, MakerGhat ensures accessibility for schools across India, regardless of investment level, and works toward a systemic transformation of the education system. 
• Data from evaluations show that MakerGhat’s hands-on learning approach significantly improves student engagement, with 87% of students asking questions and 80% finding the learning useful. 

Learn More

About Mireia

Mireia is spearheading a transformation in the food loss and waste system, collaborating with farmers, policymakers, civil society organizations and agri-food companies to implement solutions across every link of the food chain. Her efforts focus on extending the lifecycle of food, aiming to reduce waste and promote sustainability throughout the food system. 

The problem

While over 10% of the global population faces chronic hunger, the WFP estimates that one-third of all food produced is wasted, with 40% of this waste occurring during primary production. Despite this, regulatory efforts to quantify and reduce food waste are scant, and industry standards prioritize cosmetic and physical appearance over nutritional and safety criteria. Socially, consumers remain largely unaware of these losses.

Impact

• Mireia aims to drive regulatory change and standardize quantification methods to activate a movement across the food chain. Her goal is to collect, quantify, and redistribute food loss, fostering a mindset shift from farm to fork. 

• Partnering with farmers and public administrations, she has formalized gleaning practices to collect and redistribute food surplus from fields. Leading the Law of Prevention of Food Losses and Food Waste in Catalonia, Mireia aims to establish it nationally.

• She also developed a methodology for agri-food companies to autonomously implement food loss prevention protocols, acknowledging their role in mitigating this issue. Her comprehensive approach spans regulatory advocacy, industry collaboration, and grassroots initiatives to combat food waste across the supply chain effectively.

Learn more

About Aurel

Aurel envisions a society where data is treated as a common good, promoting a collaborative and sustainable economy. This vision aims to shift societal mindsets from viewing data as a private commodity to recognizing it as a shared resource. By addressing the inefficient and inequitable use of data, which causes environmental harm and economic disparities, Aurel seeks to transform social, economic, and political systems from competitive data ownership to cooperative, transparent sharing. This systemic change aims to reform company data handling and interrelations, pushing for global regulations that balance innovation with planetary boundaries. 

The problem

Inefficient data management and lack of transparency in corporate settings are deeply rooted in the digital and regulatory landscape. Companies face immense pressure from regulatory bodies, financial markets, and consumers to decarbonize their value chains. Transforming raw data into actionable information remains challenging due to data silos and the proprietary nature of data.

Impact

• Aurel's mission is to build an operating system for a more collaborative and sustainable economy by combining cutting-edge technology with innovative governance frameworks to enable secure multiparty data sharing without exposing sensitive information.

• By creating standardized protocols for data exchange, SINE enables regulatory bodies to access reliable information that can inform more effective policymaking. Strategic partnerships, such as with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), position SINE as a pivotal player in enhancing carbon transparency, fostering connections with decision-makers across global corporations.

• In partnership with the Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT), over half of Germany's top 500 companies have adopted SINE's governance model for Scope 3 emission reporting. This initiative has democratized access to sustainability benefits by ensuring equitable participation from all stakeholders—from small suppliers to large manufacturers—thereby changing the mindset from competitive secrecy towards cooperative transparency. 

Learn more

About David

David acknowledges the diversity within the Roma community, which has endured centuries of discrimination. Typically, non-Roma individuals lead efforts to address Roma issues, often focusing on the most vulnerable. David aims to change this narrative by targeting middle-class Roma individuals, seeking to shift perceptions and highlight their varied roles as artists, professionals, and contributors to society. 

The problem

The Roma community, Europe's largest ethnic minority, has historically faced persecution and marginalization, leading to significant underrepresentation and negative stereotypes.

Impact

• David works to reshape societal perceptions by creating cultural spaces that highlight Roma in non-stereotypical roles. His strategic focus on middle-class Roma empowers them to embrace their identity and challenge prevailing narratives, fostering visibility and acceptance. 

• This approach includes cultural promotion, leadership development, advocacy, and public sector training. His leadership academy enhances the skills and confidence of Roma NGO leaders. Through his advocacy efforts, he has secured new state funding for Roma organizations and established the Government Commissioner for Roma Minorities in Czechia.  

• David positions Roma artists on national platforms such as television, festivals, and Pride community events to increase their visibility. This achieves two key goals: 1) inspiring middle-class Roma to take pride in their identity, and 2) changing public perception to see Roma as more than just a marginalized group in need of help. David’s organization functions as an agency for Roma artists, ensuring their presence on these national stages. 

Learn more

About Stephanie

The Good Ancestor Movement disrupts the mainstream private wealth industry by challenging traditional ideas about the economy, excessive wealth accumulation, tax minimisation, and resource and power redistribution. As the UK's first advisory firm dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations in radical wealth redistribution, they aim to transform how wealth is managed and shared. 

The problem
 

Over the next 20-30 years, approximately £70 trillion is poised to transfer between generations, with £5.5 trillion in the UK alone. Concurrently, global wealth inequality escalates, with a minority amassing the largest concentrations of wealth. While extreme poverty draws considerable attention, less is focused on extreme wealth and its role in perpetuating global inequalities.

Impact

• The Good Ancestor Movement (GAM) addresses this root issue by reshaping norms and practices within the private wealth industry itself, challenging the concept and perpetuation of wealth.  

• GAM is spearheading a movement to engage with wealth holders and their advisors to end wealth concentration. They advocate for wealth redistribution through private giving and fair tax contributions, and champion investment in the solidarity economy.

• Their strategy encompasses three core initiatives: a consultancy guiding clients on wealth redistribution goals, the Reimagining Wealth Programme to educate wealth holders, and a Community of Practice uniting wealth practitioners and stakeholders to redefine wealth advisory practices. Together, they aim to establish a new paradigm for equitable wealth management and distribution. 

Learn more

About Valentina

Valentina is reshaping perceptions of people with disabilities, emphasizing inclusion over pity or heroism. She promotes a new narrative aimed at non-disabled people by showcasing inclusiveness in typically exclusive activities, such as sports. This approach benefits individuals with disabilities and caregivers, while also sparking public policy discussions about inclusivity in public spaces. 

The problem
 

Italy remains culturally ableist, with 3.1 million people facing daily physical and social limitations, leading to exclusion and segregation for them and their caregivers.

Impact

• Valentina's community, Tetrabondi, includes over 70,000 individuals—families, experts, caregivers, and citizens—dedicated to raising awareness about ableism. Through civic initiatives like inclusive walks and the wheelchair school, she collaborates with policymakers and the public to address cultural and urban barriers, leading to the creation of Italy's first Universal Inclusive Park in Rome.

• Valentina's advocacy demystifies disability, champions the right of people with disabilities to lead self-determined lives, and seeks adequate support for caregivers.

• She employs a communication style that is neither pitiful nor passive but rather provocative, sharing her daily experiences with her disabled son to challenge stereotypes and encourage those unaffected by disability to recognize biases.

• Through civic experiences that simulate physical disabilities, she engages public decision-makers to raise awareness. Valentina consolidates these efforts into a concrete urban intervention project: the creation of the first Italian Universal Inclusive Park, where disability is reframed as just another ability, allowing everyone to enjoy sports and embrace the 'right to adrenaline'.

Learn more

About Bukky 

Through her organization, Invictus Africa, Bukky Shonibare collects and analyzes localized data on gender issues to inform policymakers and improve gender equality, focusing on areas like violence prevention, women’s health, and economic development. Bukky's efforts include developing tools like the Womanity Index, forming key partnerships with government bodies, and training civil society organizations. Her personal experiences with domestic violence and poverty fuel her commitment to creating systemic change for women and marginalized communities in Nigeria. 

The Problem 

Bukky addresses the lack of detailed, localized data on gender inequality and human rights issues in Nigeria. National data often masks significant regional disparities, making it difficult to design effective, targeted interventions. This data gap leads to misallocation of resources, weak monitoring systems, and ineffective programs, particularly in rural and underrepresented areas. Additionally, there is insufficient technical expertise for collecting and analyzing gender-sensitive data, and cultural norms often result in underreporting, especially concerning gender-based violence, further hindering progress in addressing these issues. 

The Impact 

• Influenced gender-responsive policies and budget allocations at the state and national levels. 
• Established the iData team to collect accurate, localized data, ensuring policies are informed by reliable information. 
• Increased the number of Sexual Assault Referral Centers across Nigeria, providing critical support for survivors of sexual violence. 
• Created tools like performance scorecards and the Womanity Index to hold government officials accountable for their gender equality commitments. 
• Trained local organizations in data collection, enhancing their capacity to advocate effectively for gender equality. 

About Marta

Marta empowers citizens to take responsibility for managing Poland's forests sustainably and holding the government accountable. By providing tools and information, she helps people become active agents in democracy, ensuring forests benefit everyone. 

The problem

In Poland, 80% of forests are state-owned and primarily focused on timber production, neglecting their social and ecological functions.

Impact

• Marta sees public forests as belonging to citizens, not the government. She believes citizens should be hosts, not guests, in these forests. Marta initiated a social movement to encourage people to take responsibility for forests and hold the government accountable. Her initiative, "Forests and Citizens," supports grassroots efforts and creates a new narrative about forests. When Marta first mapped local citizen forest initiatives, there were only 30 in Poland. Now, there are 441 initiatives nationwide.

• "Forests and Citizens" promotes a multi-perspective, eco-centric narrative about forests. During the 2023 election campaign, forest policy entered mainstream political debate for the first time, allowing voters to check candidates' positions on forest issues. Important forest management provisions were included in party programs.

• The "Let's Reclaim the Forest" manifesto, co-created by Marta and six CSOs (including organizations founded by Ashoka Fellows), and with input from over 250 local initiatives, was signed by candidates, 40 of whom are now MPs, and five Ministers in the 2024 government. 

Learn more

About Elena

Elena is reshaping societal and self-perceptions of individuals over 55, positioning them as indispensable contributors within their communities, and igniting a movement that celebrates their vitality and participation.  

The problem

It is estimated that the senior population (aged 55 or more) in the EU will increase by 30 to 50% by 2050. 

Impact

• As this implies significant pressures in economic and health systems, Elena has identified the need to transit from a three-stage life, towards a multi-stage longevity, where seniors can find spaces for long-life contribution, connections and wellbeing.

• With more than 40% of individuals in the EU between 55 and 64 years old inactive due to difficulties finding employment or forced retirement, Elena enables mature citizens to offer and match their unique talents to solve their communities’ most pressing issues in partnership with municipalities and private companies.  

• Through 55 Mais, town councils provide service hour vouchers to support stressed parents, offer language classes to immigrants, or alleviate burnout among part-time caregivers. This matching of senior talents with neighborhood needs facilitates community integration and social connections, restoring agency to seniors and showcasing their potential to younger generations often influenced by negative perceptions.

Learn more

About Petra

Petra is reducing the prevalence and impact of violence against children by changing the way society understands and approaches the problem. Current systems around children address the challenge as one of child protection, which leads to stakeholders blaming each other and disempowering children. Petra offers a new approach that focuses instead on the wellbeing of children and their support systems, starting with family, and aligns all the stakeholders around that approach.  

The problem

More than 20% of children in the Czech Republic experience domestic violence by witnessing abuse and/or suffering it themselves. Yet a lack of consensus around where the line sits between discipline and abuse frustrates the implementation of a child-centered, preventative approach so that wellbeing is prioritized and cycles of violence are broken. Institutions meant to help children also operate in silos.

Impact

• Petra creates new channels for communication and cooperation amongst these institutions to build trust and an empathy-informed approach to ensure children are not re-traumatised.

• She also works with children, families, schools, communities, and government ministers so that everyone takes responsibility for prevention. This approach emphasizes all stakeholders’ wellbeing and the importance of transparency and collaboration to break cycles of violence.

• Petra also engages in public communication campaigns to highlight everyone’s role in shifting behavior and ensuring that each young person lives a childhood free from violence. 

Learn more

About Federico

For generations, LGBTQ+ seniors have been invisible and unable to safely create a community. Federico is changing the mindset that has kept this system in place, by putting LGBTQ+ seniors in charge of building new opportunities for themselves to co-create and lead their best, authentic lives.

The problem

Despite gradual legal and cultural shifts towards inclusivity, LGBTIQ+ seniors remain largely invisible, leading to a lack of supportive policies and resources. This results in a higher proportion of LGBTQ+ seniors living alone and significantly higher suicide rates.

Impact

• Drawing from his own experiences with age and gender diversity discrimination, Federico is creating spaces at community, private, and government levels to ensure the integration and self-identification of LGBTIQ+ seniors. He aims to align laws and public regulations with a new model of inclusive longevity, fostering a supportive environment for healthy and active aging. 

• At the core of his strategy is connecting LGBTQ+ seniors with their closest environment, including family and community members. He creates safe drop-in spaces embedded in the local socio-cultural fabric, where different generations can interact and collaborate.

• Federico does so through community centers' activities led by young volunteers, both seniors and youth discover, discuss, and initiate projects. This enables the elderly to contribute to local activities while the youth learn from their wisdom and experiences, fostering intergenerational understanding and support.

Learn more

About Al

Al Kags pioneers his work in citizen-generated data, a method that empowers communities to collect, analyze, and use data relevant to their own needs, rather than relying solely on governments or large organizations. Al aims to shift the traditional top-down data collection models, which often overlook local issues, towards a bottom-up approach where local citizens take the lead. His initiative is especially impactful in Kenya, where citizen-collected data has been officially recognized by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. 

Al is focused on changing systems through citizen-generated data, empowering communities, and influencing government structures to support grassroots development. His efforts aim to reshape governance and data management systems, which aligns with the idea of creating an environment that supports all changemakers. 

The Problem 

Traditional data collection in countries like Kenya is often top-down, driven by national agencies and organizations, which overlook local issues and community needs. This results in ineffective policies, misallocation of resources, and a lack of community engagement. Additionally, there is insufficient data literacy among both citizens and local government officials, hindering informed decision-making and accountability. 

The Impact 

• Al's leadership has enabled over 60,000 citizens to actively collect and utilize data, fostering informed community-driven decision-making. This approach has led to the establishment of a medical facility and clean water access in Lanet-Umoja, Nakuru County.
• Al pioneered the SABASI platform, a secure, offline-compatible tool democratizing data collection for marginalized communities. 
• Beyond Kenya, Al spearheads regional initiatives to standardize data governance in East Africa and contributes to shaping global standards, promoting transparency, open data policies, and equitable access to information.

Learn More

About Federico

Federico is reshaping the narrative around "care leavers" in Italy—young adults transitioning from state-supported care to independence—through the Care Leavers Network (CLN). By empowering these individuals as "experts by experience," Federico enables them to influence policies and societal perceptions. 

The problem

In 2020, approximately 7,000 young individuals transitioned from Italy's child protection system, facing challenges in achieving autonomy due to limited governmental support in employment, education, and housing.

Impact

• Federico’s organization, Agevolando, addresses these gaps by providing material and financial assistance, including housing programs, and fostering active participation of care leavers in policymaking through the CLN peers' network.

• Guided by principles of audience, influence, and advocacy, every CLN activity aims to generate proposals for the relevant audience. The peer group drives efforts to foster agency awareness and advance advocacy, ensuring care leavers are heard and their needs addressed.

• Federico's approach has been effective, with 65% of care leavers finding primary social connections within the network and 56% engaging in volunteer experiences, significantly surpassing their general Italian peers.

• A notable achievement of CLN is the enactment of the Italian National Law on leaving care in 2017 and the establishment of the National Experimental New Adult Fund, which received an allocation of 5 million euros for three years.

Learn more

About Mariasole

Mariasole leads marine conservation efforts in Italy by innovating the conservation system through SEATY, a model combining biologically restored areas with training initiatives to achieve the international 30X30 goal, of protecting 30% of oceans by 2030. She is fostering large-scale public policy changes through multi-stakeholder alliances aimed at transforming humanity's relationship with the ocean. 

The problem

Marine ecosystems are under serious threat, compounded by a widespread lack of awareness regarding the ocean's vital role in sustaining life on Earth. The urgency of the '30x30' conservation goal is evident, yet in Italy, disjointed international and national environmental organizations lack a cohesive systemic approach. 

Impact

• Mariasole's expertise in scientific communication has propelled Worldrise to the forefront of marine protection in Italy, engaging communities in science-based initiatives. Through various platforms including books, podcasts, TV appearances, and as a STEM ambassador, she reconnects people with the ocean.

• SEATY enhances Marine Protected Areas by implementing stricter management plans and establishing new conservation zones. Mariasole, through Worldrise's educational initiatives, has engaged over 7,800 young participants, half of whom joined ocean camps and received mentorship for personal projects.

• Emphasizing awareness, alliances, and policy influence, Mariasole fosters a new generation of “blue changemakers” through educational activities. Leading Italy's involvement in the 30X30 international campaign, she promotes collaboration among 60+ conservation groups and offers capacity building to Italian marine conservation associations, fostering inclusive action for marine protection. 

Learn more

About Héritier

Héritier Kitumaini Mutabazi is a pioneer in financial inclusion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His work, which began with community savings groups in 2014, focuses on empowering unbanked populations by providing access to savings, loans, and health insurance services. Héritier’s organization, RAVEC, deploys proximity banking agents who help organize and train communities, enabling individuals—particularly women, youth, and those in rural areas—to join solidarity savings and loan groups, access financial literacy, and improve their economic security.  

His approach focuses on changing the financial system in the DRC by creating a model that integrates financial inclusion with health services, which directly addresses systemic barriers to access. His advocacy for regulatory reform and the creation of BCECOLOANS is a clear example of his work to change the system to better support marginalized communities, enabling them to engage as changemakers themselves. 

The Problem 

In the DRC, 74% of the population is unbanked, with significant barriers to accessing financial services, particularly for rural populations. Traditional banks require material guarantees that many people, especially women and the elderly, cannot provide due to poverty, land insecurity, and the challenges posed by ongoing conflicts. As a result, millions of people are excluded from the formal financial system, which perpetuates poverty, limits access to healthcare, and stifles economic opportunity. The lack of financial literacy compounds these issues, leaving many without the tools to manage their finances effectively and plan for the future. 

The Impact 

• Héritier’s initiatives, through RAVEC and BCECOLOANS, have formalized village savings and credit groups, providing access to financial education, savings accounts, and loans. His proximity banking agents aim to serve 7,500 unbanked individuals each.
• By pairing savings groups with affordable health insurance, Héritier has ensured 80% medical coverage for RAVEC members.
• Collaborations with partners like the World Bank, VISA Foundation, and AFD have enabled the expansion of RAVEC’s services. These partnerships have supported capacity-building, infrastructure development, and digital innovations.
• Héritier’s annual "Social Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Summit" brings stakeholders together to influence policy reforms, including a draft proposal for a new microfinance law in the DRC.

Learn More

About Jacques 

Through his organization, UPDECO, Jacques developed a comprehensive step-by-step blueprint for the full reintegration of child soldiers with their families. In 2023, 30,000 former child soldiers were successfully reintegrated across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His work has led to the creation of programs and policies that provide long-term support for these individuals, ensuring that they have the opportunities to thrive and contribute to their communities.  

This pioneering approach by Jacques has gained official recognition and adoption by a consortium comprising DRC federal agencies, international NGOs, and national NGOs. 

The Problem 

For years, the DRC’s conflict, fueled by control over mineral resources, led to the widespread recruitment of child soldiers. These children face severe abuse, including sexual violence, exploitation, and trauma. Prior to Jacques’ intervention, there was no systematic approach to address their release or reintegration into society. 

The Impact 

• Jacques' efforts have directly led to the successful reintegration of 30,000 child soldiers into society in the DRC by 2023. 
• His approach has been adopted by a consortium of DRC federal agencies, international organizations like UNICEF, and national NGOs, expanding the impact beyond his organization. 
• Jacques' mental health initiative addresses the deep trauma experienced by these children, offering them psychological care, counseling, and vocational training to prepare for life after conflict. 
• His model has been extended to other conflict areas, such as South Sudan and the Central African Republic, multiplying its positive impact. 
• By creating schools and local businesses, Jacques has provided long-term, sustainable opportunities for these children to thrive, reducing the likelihood of them being recruited again or falling into cycles of violence. 

Learn More