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!
Eligibility Criteria
We are particularly interested in initiatives that are building small business ecosystems by either:
- Weaving collaborative networks for local small businesses: You mobilize collaborative networks that connect small businesses with local partners and stakeholders. This approach activates shared resources and opportunities, driving collective growth and strengthening the community. ?
- Building access to structures of support and capacity building: You establish structures of support that enable small businesses to build essential skills and capabilities. By offering capacity-building initiatives such as training and mentorship, your solution equips businesses to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable growth.
- Providing support to financial barriers: You catalyze access to financial resources by addressing the barriers that hinder small business growth. Your solution amplifies resilience by creating pathways to capital and financial literacy, enabling the businesses to stabilize and expand.
- Country of Impact: Your initiative must be primarily impacting at least one of the following countries: Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
- Your application should be fully written and submitted in English (Applicants, especially finalists, will be expected to engage in activities that require English proficiency).
NB: Employees and their children and grandchildren of the program partner, Ashoka, or its affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies are NOT eligible to apply.
Additional Criteria
- If your solution has not been implemented at scale; you must have a clear business plan and a minimum-viable solution (prototype, pilot, or another proof of concept).
- You may only submit 1 application per organization.
- You must be 18 or above by the application deadline, on February 26th, 2025.
Please note that all eligible participants will be invited to take part in peer reviews: once the application phase closes, you will each be asked to review 10 applications each. Doing so will give you access to exclusive feedback roundtables with the community.
Offered Benefits
All eligible applicants will receive:
- Feedback from Ashoka and reviewers on their applications.
- Have a chance to connect with a community of changemakers through this challenge (through peer reviews and meeting them through community events).
- Access to self-paced training opportunities to support you in your changemaking journey.
All semifinalists and finalists will:
- All semifinalists will have the opportunity to refine their application based on feedback received.
- Semifinalists 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
Application Process
Go to Ashoka on home.solutions.changemakers.com to apply
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.
Questions? Email us at
