SOURCING SOCIAL INNOVATIONS

We support you to source social innovations from your network and beyond that have the potential to be replicated. We do this in alignment with Ashoka’s and our partner’s global impact areas and goals.

We use global networks to source innovations:

  • We source innovations from the global Ashoka network of 4000+ social entrepreneurs
  • We source innovations from our partner’s networks
  • We host and manage thematic challenges to identify new changemakers in collaboration with the Ashoka changemaker platform

In collaborative partnerships, sourcing can also be used for electing new Ashoka Fellows who then benefit from Ashoka's Fellowship support:

  • A 3-year stipend for developing the impact strategy of the organization
  • Pro bono support in all relevant areas
  • Learning offers for Ashoka Fellows and their teams

We provide additional help for:

  • Defining a thematic focus and criteria for sourcing innovations
  • Sourcing innovations globally that fit your thematic focus and criteria
  • Selecting the most promising innovations for your funding and capacity building programs

ASSESSING THE REPLICATION READINESS OF SOCIAL INNOVATIONS

Assessing the replication readiness of organizations is essential for making sure that the organizations will be able to implement its replication strategy successfully. We offer different approaches to assessing replication readiness.

  • Organizations self-assess their replication readiness based on our readiness check and we provide feedback
  • We conduct an external assessment based on the categories of the readiness check
  • We conduct an in-depth due diligence that includes an additional assessment of financial and organizational criteria. An in-depth due diligence is recommended before organizations and funders invest in replication processes.

MATCHMAKING REPLICATION PARTNERS

Replication can sometimes be a collaborative process involving different types of organizations. An international NGO, private company, or public body may, for instance, cooperate with a social enterprise to replicate an innovation.

We support you in:

  • Identifying collaborators for replicating social innovations across sectors
  • Matchmaking collaborators based on their organizational goals, capacity, and culture
  • Setting up collaborative processes

DESIGNING AND PILOTING REPLICATION PROGRAMS

We advise organizations on how to build programs to replicate the innovations within their network and beyond. This offer addresses organizations and networks that have an internal structure where multiple teams work on social innovations. Examples are companies, iNGOs, foundations, city administrations, or impact investors.

Our approach is based on action learning:

  • We identify innovation projects and teams within the organization and work with these teams on their replication strategy
  • We involve leadership and management in the process
  • We document the learning
  • We host a final workshop with the leadership team to identify how the organization can best enable and support replication processes
  • We provide advice and feedback in the pilot phase of new replication programs