Selection Process

Fellow Selection Process

Ashoka maximizes its social impact by selecting top social entrepreneurs through a rigorous Fellow selection process that has been refined over 30 years. With the help of a robust global nominator network—consisting of partner organizations, businesses, social entrepreneurs, and community leaders—Ashoka scours Canada for leading social entrepreneurs and evaluates each candidate according to Ashoka’s five criteria: new idea (knockout test), social impact, entrepreneurial quality, creativity and ethical fibre.

From nomination to election, candidates go through an extensive series of in-depth interviews, reference checks, a judging panel and final executive board approval. Ashoka staff frequently go on site visits to evaluate candidates in their work environment. Nominees are rigorously questioned about practical implementation—the blueprints that will make their ideas come to life—as well as personal background, values, motivations and aspirations.

The process is long, but fruitful. In fact, many candidates describe it as one of the most difficult and enlightening experiences of their careers. Candidates must communicate their ideas, scrutinize their methods, and reflect on themselves as individuals. Even those who do not pass believe they are better equipped to return to their projects afterwards. In this way, more than a means to an end, our selection process generates robust discussion, sharpens ideas, and focuses tremendous energy into the citizen sector and the growing field of social entrepreneurship.

Policy

There are no age, education, class, race, or other such bars to election. Anyone who meets the five criteria is someone Ashoka wants.

Ashoka has a few negative grounds on which a candidate may be denied entry into the fellowship. Violence, any form of discrimination, partisan political leadership, or membership in any political party which advocates violence, discrimination or totalitarianism are incompatible with election or continued participation in the Fellowship. We have also found that those who are attached to ideology do not have the open capacity to listen, an essential part of creating change.

Because quality (and therefore likely impact) is our unique test, Ashoka only considers financial need at the end of the selection process. Ashoka does not guarantee financial support to Fellows, although we continue to fundraise for modest stipends for those Fellows who need such support to pursue their vision full-time. As Fellows' ideas take root, their institutions will increasingly be able to pay for their directors and the level of Ashoka's support will decrease. Ashoka requires those Fellows who qualify for a modest stipend to complete a financial disclosure form. 

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