Your Fellowship Questions Answered…  

Q.  I just got the Ashoka Fellowship, what can I expect? 

A.  Welcome Packets All newly elected Ashoka Fellows will receive a Welcome Packet from Global Fellowship to introduce them to the wide range of Ashoka’s programs and opportunities available to them as Ashoka Fellows.  In particular we encourage them to draw on the knowledge, experience and inspiration of other Ashoka Fellows within the network. 

A.  Fellowship Listserv and Newsletter Through the Ashoka Fellow listserv and periodioc newsletter, we keep our community updated with the newest happenings and opportunities in the Ashoka community and the citizen sector.

A. Orientations and Inductions Orientations workshops and public Induction Ceremonies in each country or region welcome new Fellows to Ashoka.  At these orientations, new Fellows are introduced to Ashoka programs, opportunities, staff, and most importantly, other Ashoka Fellows.  The Induction Ceremonies serve as a vital space for Fellows’ work to be publicly recognized.  

Q.  I have a problem I would like to share with other Fellows : what should I do? 

A.  Problem-Solving Consultations Problem-Solving Consultations offer a support space for Fellows to share their biggest challenges and problems and think with other Ashoka Fellows to find solutions.  Participants learn about critical issues outside their own fields and, most importantly, benefit from the insights and ideas of other Fellows.  A small group of Fellows meets in an informal space and leads a brief, focused consultation for a Fellow facing a problem, block, or critical point in his or her work.  This community helps to increase impact, stimulate new insights, refine models and solve problems together. 

Contact Shivangini Tandon

 

Q.  Can Ashoka help me connect to influential leaders in my country? 

A.  Access to Movers and Shakers Access to Movers and Shakes bring together Ashoka Fellows and influential guests in an “off-the-record” and informal venue.  The Fellows gain access to an important person whose work and position in society is of interest to them, and the guest learns about the Fellows’ work, Ashoka, and social entrepreneurship.  This is a great opportunity for Fellows to share work with an active and influential community on a topic of mutual interest and critical importance while accelerating learning, impact, and spread. 

Contact Tanya Jairaj at

 

Q.  I have an idea for collaborative work - how can I get in touch with other Fellows at a global level? 

A.  Group Entrepreneurship Investments Group Entrepreneurship Investments support Ashoka Fellows working together to solve a particular problem or to take a field to the next level.  There are four types of Group Entrepreneurship Investments: Challenge Pots, Diamond Collaborations, Global Collaborations, and Fellow Exchanges.  In all four, the focus is on long-term strategic collaboration, in which Ashoka provides Fellows with resources and strategic support to further their ideas.  In order to enjoy the investments, Fellows need to submit proposals describing their objectives, expected impact, potential barriers, timeframe and budget. 

Contact Gaston Wright () and/or write to your local Representatives, Tanya () or Shivangini  ().

Q.  What about safety and legal support? 

A.  Fellow Security Initiative Social change leaders have historically been the targets of threats and intimidation as they try to restructure the balance of power, hierarchy, and opportunity in their communities.  The social entrepreneurs most at risk are not simply those explicitly engaged in the field of documenting and reporting human rights violations, but rather include a cross-section of poor and marginalized communities through health, the environment, economic development, and education.  These social entrepreneurs have been threatened and interrogated, their phone lines and email tapped, and fabricated legal charges brought against them.  Their colleagues have been tortured and abused, and family members killed. Two Ashoka Fellows themselves have been assassinated.  Launched in July 2005, Ashoka’s Fellow Security Initiative works with partner organizations, Fellows, and staff to protect Ashoka Fellows, and by extension their families, colleagues, and the communities they serve.  The initiative has identified two primary lines of support and intervention: 1) Prevention and Risk Mitigation, and 2) Urgent Action. 

Contact Scott Rechler (), Ruchika Bahl ()   

A.  Advocates for Social Entrepreneurs Ashoka created Advocates for Social Entrepreneurs (ASE) to develop a pro bono, voluntary, legal culture around the world to support Ashoka Fellows.  The ASE network mobilizes law firms and public interest lawyers to support the hundreds of Ashoka Fellows around the globe and eventually broader networks of social entrepreneurs.  By doing so, ASE provides social entrepreneurs with access to legal professionals who can help them navigate the legal environment to enhance institution building and policy change, and to support the cause of human rights. 

Contact Ruchika Bahl at

 

Q.  How could I access the Marketplace if I have no computer? 

A.  Internet Incentive Fund Computer hardware, software, and internet access are powerful tools for Fellows to connect and collaborate, and otherwise accelerate the impact of their work.  Ashoka’s Technology and Internet Incentive Funds allo Fellows to improve access to and use of technology.  Typically, Internet Incentive Funds support the acquisition of new hardware, software and Internet connections for Ashoka Fellows with concrete objectives.  Fellows must submit proposals, including the following information: specific technology needs, expected outcome of the fund and budget. 

Contact Shivangini Tandon at or Tanya Jairaj at

   

Q.  I am going to visit US next month, how can I connect with the Ashoka office in DC ?

A.  Fellow Visits Fellows coordinate with the Fellowship staff about upcoming visitis to Washington DC or to other countries where there are Ashoka offices.  Fellowship staff may arrange meetins with Ashoka contacts (other organizations, funders, Fellows, etc) and can coordinate home stays in those countries with Ashoka friends.  Fellowship staff also invite visiting Fellows to present their work to the entire Ashoka staff to spread ideas and openS

Contact Leah Fotis at ()  

Q.  Can Ashoka coordinate volunteer support ? 

A. Volunteers Fellowship staff connect Ashoka Fellows and staff with volunteers for translation assistance, fundraising, strategic planning, web design and more.  Every other month, Global Fellowship produces a Volunteer Newsletter which is distributed to over 500 people who have expressed interest in donating their skills and services to Ashoka.  Global Fellowship writes up requests to include in the next edition of the Volunteer Newsletter, and interested volunteers will contact corresponding Fellows or staff directly.  Fellowship cannot guarantee placement of a volunteer. 

Contact Scott Rechler and Peggy Carr ()