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Ashoka Power of Local Challenge 2025 For Young Innovative Changemakers
Ashoka Power of Local Challenge 2025
About Ashoka Power of Local Challenge 2025
Applications for the Power of Local Challenge are now open!
We are looking for small business ecosystem builders, organizations that provide small businesses with diverse and equitable opportunities like resources, tools, networking, and more. If this sounds like you, then you’re in the right place!
Are you supporting small businesses to thrive?
All over the world, small businesses are the building blocks of local communities, they offer entrepreneurial and leadership opportunities to community members, infuse the local economy, and serve the needs of their clients in a way only local businesses can.
With their deep connection to the people they serve, small businesses are perfectly positioned to address and respond to community needs (or challenges).
To support the incredible work that small businesses are doing in communities all over the world, we’re launching the Challenge “Power of Local: Supporting Ecosystems for Small Businesses to Thrive.”
Through it, we’re looking for small business ecosystem builders: organizations, programs, or initiatives that provide small businesses with diverse and equitable opportunities like resources, tools, networking, etc.
Learn more and apply for The Power of Local Challenge below!
Summary of the Ashoka Power of Local Challenge 2025
- All semi finalists will have the opportunity to refine their application based on feedback received.
- Semi Finalists and finalists will have access to exclusive opportunities to connect and learn with peers working in the field.
- Finalists will be invited to interact with a panel of expert judges from Ashoka and its partners.
All winners will:
- A total of 11 winners will be awarded a cash prize of up to $60,000 as follows;
- We will award a minimum of 2 winners in each geographical region: Latin America, East Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, East Asia.
- Ten Winners will receive $15,000 each.
- One Grand Prize Winner will be selected and will receive $60,000
Selection Criterias for the Ashoka Power of Local Challenge 2025
Remember, we are looking for innovative and creative ideas at all stages of development, which means your initiative could be in its first year of implementation or a fully baked one!
Each of the below 4 criteria will be considered equally in the evaluation of each application:
- Connection to Community: Your initiative is rooted in the community you serve. You truly understand and actively engage small businesses and their community members, thus creating solutions that truly meet their needs.
- Impact on Small Business Community: Your initiative has made and is making, a difference in people’s lives.
- You provide underserved small businesses with access to essential resources and support structures for their long-term success.
- Innovation: Your initiative takes unique and creative approaches to tackle the specific challenge small businesses face, inspiring them to rethink the role of these businesses in the community.
- Financial and Operational Viability: You have a clear plan and next steps to make sure your initiative can continue successfully over the long term, including funding, partnerships, and planning.
Method of Application for the Ashoka Power of Local Challenge 2025
To submit an application to this challenge:
(Note: You will need to log in or create an account to submit an application)
- Click + Add Your Application.
- You will be prompted to log in or to create an account. If you don’t have an account, follow the instructions to create one.
- After the successful creation of your account, click + Add Your Application button again. A pop-up with the Terms & Conditions will appear. After reading the Terms & Conditions, choose “Accept.
- After you’ve accepted the Challenge Terms & Conditions, click on the blue “Add Your Project” button. This will open your Challenge application.
Click here for the full instructions on how to create your application.
For more inquiries, Email us at: poweroflocal@ashoka.org
Deadline: February 26, 2025
Also Apply;
The Crafting Tomorrow Program 2025 for young African
2025 Future Diplomats Forum in USA
Women Techsters Fellowship Program 2025 for African Students
Scholarship by Beijing Government for International Students
