Dikshis
May 29th, 2024

Leadership Program for Executives and Changemakers 

Ashoka Visionary Program

The Ashoka Visionary Program is an in-person Leadership Program running over 9 months, designed to help you become a change leader, address societal problems in an entrepreneurial manner, co-create new projects, and expand your network. The next cohort will start in October 2024 in Vienna, Austria.  

ABOUT THE LEARNING JOURNEY 

This program was created to fill a gap: the lack of programs teaching changemaking skills in an entrepreneurial and immersive way and creating a space for changemakers to co-create. The 9-month learning journey consists of 7 modules that last two days each and cover the life cycle of a social enterprise. During each module, experts on the respective topic pass on know-how, practical experience, and share personal stories. Experts include Ashoka Fellows and other world-class social entrepreneurs as well as academic experts from Ashoka’s network of partner universities.  

Participants can choose to work together with an Ashoka Fellow or another leading social entrepreneur. Alternatively, they can work on their own impact challenges in co-creation with a diverse team.  

Prototyped and operated out of the Ashoka Austria office, the Visionary Program is offered in three regions: Central and Eastern Europe, East Africa, and the Mediterranean. The modules include workshops, team-building exercises, pitches, and evening events with space for networking, reflections, and thoughtful exchange. The speakers, contributors and content details of the program vary per region.  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 
 

  • Acquire innovative tools and strategies for systems change in one comprehensive learning journey.  

  • Connect to a community of peers, meet Ashoka Fellows, and learn how groundbreaking social entrepreneurs are creating a better world.  

  • Work together with an Ashoka Fellow or another leading social entrepreneur, or on your own impact challenges in co-creation with a diverse team.  

  • Put your learnings into practice, combining entrepreneurial success with social impact to solve societal problems in ways you hadn’t thought of before.  

  • Become part of our global Visionary Program Alumni network that connects changemakers and their ideas.  

WHO IS IT FOR: 

Executives and leaders of change from all sectors accelerating social impact initiatives in their environment. Pioneers striving for new careers, business and social impact pathways in society. 

Our participants include: 

  • Ashoka Fellows 

  • Current and future social entrepreneurs 

  • Representatives of the corporate world and the public sector, civil society/NGOs, foundations, and impact founders 

  • Highly motivated professionals 

 
Please note that a minimum of 5 years of work experience is required to apply.  

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: 

Format:  

  • Part-time for 9 months (7 modules of 2 days each)   

  • 15 days of in-person sessions (Friday – Saturday)   

  • Tailored fieldwork with a social entrepreneur  

  • Pre-readings and small exercises in preparation for the upcoming module  

Dates:  

Next cohort in Vienna: October 2024 – June 2025   

Commitment:  

This is an intensive journey where participants meet in person seven times over the course of nine months and create strong connections and collaborations. This program costs 10.0OO€.  
Stipends are available for social entrepreneurs and leaders from the foundation, corporate and NGO sectors. Selected Ashoka Fellows join for a reduced fee of EUR 1,000.  

You can find out more about the Program and its content on the website: Ashoka Visionary Program website.