Bill Drayton

Solution / Ashoka

Ashoka is an international non-profit organization founded by Bill Drayton in the early 1980s, which has no political affiliation. Its namesake was an Indian emperor who, driven by remorse after a bloody conquest, did his utmost to make his country a better and more just place. Financed with private funds, Ashoka offers financial support to social entrepreneurs.

Social entrepreneurship is a concept that attempts to reconcile economic ideas and social goals such as improving education and health systems, protecting the environment or defending human rights. Ashoka offers technical and financial support to people whose ideas can make a difference to society. Today, the organization supports social entrepreneurs in more than 60 countries and has an annual budget of more than $30 million.