Winter is here ?? Check out our Ashoka Belgium newsletter!
Ashoka Belgium
Promotes leaders of social innovation to build a society capable of generating positive changes on a large scale.
December 2023
Dear Ashoka Belgium Community,
We hope you had a vibrant and action-packed quarter! Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire... As we are wrapping up this year, our team continues to explore the impact ecosystem to bring you exciting news ?, unmissable opportunities ??, and flagship events ?? that will keep you engaged and inspired throughout the cold months ahead and gives you energy for the New Year!
Thank you for being a part of this community, and let's dive into this newsletter's Winter edition! ??
News from Ashoka Belgium & Europe
Highlight - Our Impact & Activity Report 2023
Explore our annual Impact & Activity Report , offering insights into the journey and accomplishments of Ashoka Belgium and its vibrant Community.
In this report, we celebrate the dedication and resilience of our team, the collaborative spirit with our Fellows and change leaders, the unwavering support of our committed ASN and partners, and the significant impact in fostering a world where everyone becomes a changemaker.
As we reflect on our achievements, we are energized to move forward, leveraging these experiences as a driving force toward a future where social change is not just a goal but a reality.
Our Events & Programmes
Report Launch |?Changemaker Europe
On October 12th, we launched the Changemaker Europe report ?developed by Ashoka, in collaboration with The Good Lobby : ‘Reimagining the Future of Democratic Engagement and Collective Decision-Making’.
We presented the solutions and recommendations?that emerged?from a collective thinking journey?where social entrepreneurs, activists, policy makers, academics and politicians came together to reimagine participatory democracy.
Programme closing |?7th Impact Programme - Final Pitch Event
On November 22nd, we hosted the Impact Programme's final pitch event !
In the beginning of this year, Ashoka Belgium , Accenture BELUX ?and ABN AMRO Private Banking Belgium ?initiated the 7th edition of the Impact Programme. The objective was to accelerate the scaling of 10 entrepreneurs working in the fields of climate change and circular economy. A key focus was to engage social entrepreneurs in the debate how important systemic change is to achieve impact at scale.
To conclude the programme, three awards were given:
Programme Closing | Youth for Change
On December 6th, we celebrated the grand finale of our Youth for Change programme .
Following months of engaging in reverse mentoring, during which the youth collaborated with employees from Schneider Electric ?to learn, exchange ideas, provide solutions, and offer mutual support, the time had come for the youngsters to deliver their final pitches. Congratulations to all the mentees and their mentors for their high energy and commitment throughout?this enriching experience, they can all take pride in their achievements.
Nicky's "Les Rayons de Bernadette”, Anais Shahad and Caroline's "Needie Paddie ", Ilias and the "Valio " App, Florence and "DYS/DIX ", Yagmur's "Monda Pupo " and Kawtar's “MOYRA ”.
Community Celebration | End of the year dinner
On December 5th, we gathered for our annual end of the year dinner?at the charming ?? Chalet Robinson .
What a wonderful evening it was - delicious food, engaging conversations, a picturesque location, and the joy of being together! Thank you for those who could attend and we look forward to seeing those who couldn't make it very soon.
When Belgium meets Switzerland
In September, our Co-Director, Perrine de le Court, convened with 20 Swiss Ashoka Fellows, team, and ASN at Zukunft.Bahnhof (Future Station) ?for a two-day retreat. This collaborative event, held in Lichtensteig, an internationally recognized changemaker hub, facilitated a dynamic exchange between Swiss and local pioneers. The Zukunftbahnhof initiative, championed by the Mayor and Jan Colruyt, utilizes vacant spaces to attract talents. Weeks later, Fellow Maxime Zait from Communa ?engaged in a meaningful exchange with Jan in Zurich, drawing inspiration from Swiss cooperatives and democratic initiatives.
New ressources and publications
New learning opportunities?| Foster?change with Ashoka Europe Community
'Replication & Transfer' learning journey
Dive into a course that draws insights from 150+ social entrepreneurs who have successfully scaled their projects. Ashoka’s Replication and Transfer course will allow you to uncover the secrets of building a strong replication strategy that suits your impact and organization.
When?January 16th, 2024 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm CET March 19th, 2024 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm CET
?? Deadline: December 20th, 2023
'Mindfulness for Changemakers' bi-monthly series from Ashoka's Wellbeing Changemakers Hub to access essential tools and practices to enhance your leadership skills.
When??Every second Thursday of the month
?? No deadline, you can continuously register
News from our Ashoka Fellows &?Community
New book | Ignace Schops
Now available in English, saved by the Tree Frog ?puts forward how agriculture, politics and economy can reinforce each other. It explores the ways in which we can bring about real change, and transform into a sustainable and thriving society.Ignace's book tells us what we can do to turn the tide, and offers an innovative insight into our fundamental dependence on nature. It is the way to a sustainable future – if only we are brave enough to take the plunge.
New book | Koen Timmers
Game Changer ?shows how education, technology and climate action can change the world. How do they interact with each other, and above all: how do they contribute to global solutions for young people worldwide? From the refugee camps in Kakuma in Kenya, to the Microsoft headquarters in Seattle or the school desks in Malawi.
The book tells the incredible story of Koen Timmers and how he managed to set up the largest educational project in the world with one goal: fighting inequality.
Marjan Gryson | Touché
Congratulations to Touché ?who got nominated for the Global Pluralism Award ! Touché is a social enterprise providing support to current and former prisoners and at-risk youth and, in the process, advancing a positive view of anger and aggression.
Alberto Alemanno | The Good Lobby
领英推荐
Too many nonprofits and foundations reject lobbying as dubious. But a new movement, led by The Good Lobby , is reclaiming this practice as essential for promoting social change. Read Alberto's new article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review .
Geertrui Serneels?| Solentra
In the last months, Solentra ?has provided additional stress reduction sessions to Palestinian refugees in Belgium, as well as support to care professionals working directly with them. Solentra is also launching a new website ?to give better access to their support and services.
Join the community?| Be Impact
Ashoka has joined Be Impact as a supporting member, and we encourage you to explore their new platform. You can now include your events in their calendar , update your organizations, and contribute to the ecosystem!
Events and opportunities
From Ashoka
As we reach the end of 2023, Ashoka is organizing an informal space for any member of the community who wants to give themselves the gift of reflection.
????Date: December 28th, 2023.
???Time: 17:00-18:00 CET.
??? ? Where:?Online event. More info and booking here .
The why wait agenda : the fertility gap
The association Journalism for Social Change and the S&D Group are hosting an event on?the need for the fertility gap to become a social and?political priority.
??? Date: January 24th, 2024.
?? Time: 15:00 CET.
?? Where: European Parliament. More info and register here.
Koen and Ignace?will engage in a riveting cross-talk to explore the interconnected realms of biodiversity, education, and global transformation.
????Date: February 5th, 2024.
???Time: 18:30-20:30 CET.
??? Where:?Live Session at the Impact House, register here .
Next year, we’re bringing the Ashoka Changemaker Summit to Hamburg with the theme #TrueParticipation! Our goal is to celebrate our vision for a society in which everyone feels invited and capable to contribute.
????Date: Sep 5th to 7th, 2024
??? Where: Live in Hamburg, Germany, with online sessions. More info here .
From Fellows and Community members
Streetwize invites you for a community walk in Leuven on December 16th, where you can decide how many km you want to walk and then get sponsored to support the work of Mobile School.
????Date: December 16th
??? Where: Walking in and around Leuven. More info here .
An immersive experience over 48 hours to take care of your “inner fire” in order to undertake business with more awareness and impact.
????Date: NL: 17-18-19 April 2024 + 9-10-11 October / FR: 12-13-14 June
Continue to support our Community of Changemakers
We would be very grateful if you want to make a?donation to?support Ashoka, the team and our work!?If you do so before the end of the year, you will still get a?45% tax deduction.
Your participation has a double impact: not only do you give Ashoka and its changemakers the means to realize their projects and increase their societal impact, you also reduce your tax burden thanks to an advantageous deduction.?
The conditions are simple, but the potential is immense:
The donation is orchestrated via our account at the King Baudouin Foundation: Fondation Roi Baudouin – fiscal deduction
Le Fonds des Amis d’Ashoka Belgium BE10 0000 0000 0404?of the FRB with the communication ***623/3676/50018***
?We look forward to driving social change together!
Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for any questions you might have:
Yours truly,?
The Ashoka Belgium Team
Perrine, Yannick, Ashling, Romain, Olivier, Océane
Copyright ? 2015 Fondation Ashoka Belgium. All rights reserved.
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