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Ashoka

Ashoka selects and supports social entrepreneurs.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Alexandra Geese (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Jun 2025 · Digital policies

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament)

12 Sept 2024 · Changemakers for Democracy Programme

Meeting with Janina Ochojska (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Sept 2023 · Launch of the Stepping Up report on Ukrainian refugees, changemaking and how to make Europe a better place for all

Meeting with Zuzana Dorazilova (Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová)

30 Jan 2023 · Participatory democracy and citizen engagement

Response to New Pact on Migration and Asylum

26 Aug 2020

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum brings an opportunity to reform the fundamentals of the current migration system into a more fair, human and sustainable one. As proven by the 2015-2016 migration management crisis, Europe lacks a comprehensive and holistic approach to migration. One which acknowledges the benefits of migration and mobility as opposed to securitizing the borders and stigmatizing the migrants. Five years later, the EU continues to be unprepared to deal with a complex and lasting phenomenon which is shaping and changing the societies we live in. It’s time for governments to abandon parochial politics and stop antagonizing refugees. We need political will and commitment to build a fairer redistribution system across the EU while guaranteeing the rights of those seeking international protection. This has become even more urgent in light of COVID-19. Refugees and migrants, along with other vulnerable communities, have been among the most affected by the pandemic. Isolation has not been possible for those staying in camps, where the risk of contagion is potentially high. Many have also lost their way to sustain themselves and have become even more dependent on subsidies, which are not abundant. They have also been used as a scapegoat for spreading the virus. On the other side of this reality, we have seen how migrants have been at the forefront of the pandemic response providing care and support to the ones in need and how refugees have stepped up to mobilise and distribute resources for vulnerable people in their host communities. This shows the important role and contribution they make to our societies and highlights the need for a system change in the way migration is approached, managed and communicated. This is where social innovation comes in: our social entrepreneurs are developing alternative ways of dealing with the challenges surrounding migration powerfully helping to create a new paradigm. They do this by reinventing every step of the migration journey, from the moment migrants and refugees leave their countries to their arrival in the new host country. They offer solutions to transform the way mass accommodation works by providing refugees a dignified life and self-development opportunities; they pioneer new systems and tools to devise more efficient approaches to relocation and resettlement of people based on their skills and potential to contribute to the host countries according to their labour needs and ability to integrate newcomers socially; they help cities and regions realise the potential of newcomers and build more inclusive societies; and last but not least, they empower migrants and refugees to become future changemakers in their local communities. Europe needs to rise to the challenge to provide a fresh start on migration and asylum. We subscribe to some of the views expressed in this consultation, like that of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), on how to reform the current migration and asylum system. At the same time, we reiterate the need to acknowledge the benefits of migration to build a more resilient and socially cohesive Europe. Without migration, Europe will experience a significant population decline and labour shortage in the coming decades. As it has already been recognized, establishing safe and well-managed pathways for legal migration is the only way to reduce irregular migration to Europe and contribute to its economic development. Therefore, greater efforts need to be invested to establish safe and legal channels for migration. The only way to reverse the negative migration discourse is by building on its benefits. The EU and its member states should use this opportunity to build a new migration and asylum system at the height of the challenges and opportunities ahead. It’s time to reset the policies of the past and co-create fairer, more efficient and ambitious ones by including the voice of migrants and refugees.
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Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

5 May 2020 · Migrants’ challenges in the current COVID-19 crisis and their contribution to economic recovery

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

25 Apr 2018 · Migration

Meeting with Giulio Di Blasi (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

25 Apr 2018 · Migration