Ashoka Young Changemakers (AYC) is a global network run by Ashoka for young people who started their own social initiative before turning 20. Members are chosen for developing an original idea, building a team around it, and improving lives or the environment around them. The program launched in the United States in 2018 and now recruits in Brazil, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and the United States.
Candidates apply in the country where they live, entering through a nomination or self-nomination form that stays open all year. Selection runs through four stages and ends with an in-person panel of social entrepreneurs, journalists and other leaders.
Benefits & funding
- Membership in Ashoka’s selected network of young changemakers and social entrepreneurs from several countries.
- Co-leadership bootcamps, workshops and peer-learning sessions with other members and with leading social entrepreneurs.
- Media partnerships, features in media outlets, and public speaking platforms to share the initiative.
- Strategic mentorship, fundraising support, exposure visits and introductions to strategic allies.
- Reimbursement for all candidates covering panel-related costs such as domestic travel, accommodation and food.
- No fee or cost to apply or to take part.
- Ashoka publishes no stipend, grant or cash award for members.
Eligibility
- Under 20 years of age. Nigeria states its own cut-off: candidates must not be above 20 by December of the year of nomination.
- Resident of a country where the program currently recruits — Brazil, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nigeria or the United States. Applications are accepted only in the country of residence.
- The Nigeria route additionally lists Nigerian nationality and residence in Nigeria among its criteria.
- Candidate empathized deeply with a problem and developed an original idea for addressing it.
- Candidate built a team around that idea and leads by helping others lead.
- Candidate improved people’s lives or the environment around them, with impact they can describe in stories and numbers.
- Candidate wants to co-lead the global “Everyone a Changemaker” movement.
- No education level, gender or work-experience requirement is published. A nomination by someone else is not required — candidates may nominate themselves.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
USA · Nigeria · Brazil · India · Bangladesh · Indonesia
Age requirement
≤ 20 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Submit the online nomination form at any point in the year, either as a self-nomination or as a nomination by someone who knows the candidate.
- 2Wait for the next application round in the country of residence. Ashoka emails nominees several weeks before that country’s deadline.
- 3Complete the country application and the initial screening.
- 4Take part in conversations with the Ashoka country team about co-leadership.
- 5Meet senior Ashoka leaders and young changemakers from the global network, typically three to five social entrepreneurs and young changemakers.
- 6Attend the in-person discussion and selection panel with top social entrepreneurs, journalists and other leaders.
Program timeline
Year-round
nominations and self-nominations accepted through the online form.
Several weeks before each country deadline
Ashoka emails nominees that the application round has opened in their country.
After the application closes
screening, then conversations with the Ashoka country team.
Next stage
conversations with senior Ashoka leaders and young changemakers from the global network.
Final stage
in-person discussion and selection panel, with domestic travel, accommodation and food reimbursed.
Ashoka publishes no fixed calendar dates; rounds run on each country’s own schedule.