Ashoka, the world’s largest association of social entrepreneurs with
bases in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America and South
America, has received $1.1million (£553,000) from the Goldman Sachs
Foundation.
The grant will be used to support ‘outstanding European social
entrepreneurs in education and youth development who can employ their
skills in emerging economies. It will fund an inaugural UK programme
and expand newly established projects in France and Germany, giving
entrepreneurs access to a global network of Ashoka personnel and
resources.
Stephanie Bell-Rose, the foundation president, said: ‘The Goldman Sachs
Foundation is committed to supporting the development of the next
generation of leaders from all parts of the world. We are proud to work
with Ashoka to improve the quality of education that young people
receive and to open the doors of opportunity to bright minds that might
otherwise go overlooked.’
Ben Metz, Ashoka’s UK director, said: ‘The Goldman Sachs Foundation
funding underpins our continuing roll-out in Europe. It will allow us
to increase our support to cutting-edge social entrepreneurs working in
the fields of education and youth development in the target countries.
This funding forms the core of a partnership that will add significant
value to both the Goldman Sachs Venture Philanthropy programme and
Ashoka.’
The foundation is a global philanthropic organization set up by the
Goldman Sachs banking and investment group in 1999. It has awarded
grants worth $94m for work in more than 20 countries.
