Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship

🌍 The world’s most urgent challenges are too complex for any one organisation to tackle alone. Across the globe, social innovators are moving beyond isolated efforts—shifting toward collaborative networks that drive real, systemic change. 🔍 Discover 10 powerful initiatives redefining what impact looks like, captured in case studies by Skoll Centre Visiting Fellow @Cynthia Rayner for a new report from the @Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. From a coalition of 30 Indigenous nations safeguarding the Amazon, to a united push to end homelessness, to a data-powered fight against deforestation—these efforts prove that change happens together. Download the report – “The Future is Collective: Advancing Collective Social Innovation to Address Society’s Biggest Challenges” - and explore these case studies below.  🤝 The future of impact isn’t individual. It’s collective. 

"One common assumption is that complexity means something is complicated… but simplicity can be incredibly powerful when approaching systems change." — Paulo Savaget, Skoll Centre Fellow and Associate Professor of Engineering and Business at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. 🎙️ In Episode 1 of The Web of Us podcast — "Systems Thinking Means Systems Acting" — Paulo joins Skoll Centre Visiting Fellow Claire Wathen for a deep dive into systems thinking, one of the foundational concepts in network theory. Paulo is an entrepreneurial engineer, author, and Oxford researcher who focuses on practical strategies for tackling complex problems. Together, he and Claire explore the visible and invisible networks shaping our world — from brains and ecosystems to workplaces and communities. 🔍 In this episode, they discuss: - Why sometimes solving a symptom rather than the root cause can unlock unexpected systems change - How to avoid analysis paralysis — understanding systems by acting within them - The upside and downside of collaboration in driving collective action - Embracing a ‘scrappy mindset’ — doing what’s good enough rather than chasing perfection Inspired by Paulo’s book, The Four Workarounds: Strategies from the World's Scrappiest Organisations for Tackling Complex Problems, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how change really happens. 🎧 The Web of Us is a new podcast Skoll Centre Visiting Fellow Claire Wathen, that explores the connections at the heart of change. Available now on all major streaming platforms. 👉 Tune in and explore the power of connection.

I’m truly grateful to have been invited to the graduation dinner of the Impact Lab class at the close of the Hillary Term at the Said Business School,University of Oxford. A heartfelt thank you to Miss Elizaveta and the entire Skoll Center for this wonderful opportunity! It was an absolute honor to witness MBA students and students from diverse disciplines come together, pursuing their academic dreams and aspirations as future global change-makers. The energy and passion in the room were truly inspiring The Skoll Center has done an exceptional job in providing world-class training to these future impact leaders. I’m confident that they will all go on to make significant contributions to our world. Congratulations to all the graduating students! Your dedication and commitment are commendable. I wish you all the very best in your upcoming Trinity Term and beyond, as you embark on your journeys to create positive change. Special thanks to Dr Cynthia Rayner for this great opportunity of network to this vibrant and excellent academic community. #SaidBusinessSchool #ImpactLab #ImpactLeaders #Globalchangemakers #HillaryTerm #RoddenberryFoundation

What happens when people choose to learn together, dream together, and set intentions for the coming years and decades? We build momentum for collective impact 🌊 Over 1500 social innovators came to Oxford last week for the 2025 #SkollWF, which shone a spotlight on some of the most promising solutions and impactful social innovations from across the globe. We held interactive Marmalade sessions throughout the week that offered actionable insights on how to lead, organise, finance, measure, and scale impact. Thank you to the Skoll Foundation for hosting such an inspiring week and to our hosts, partners, staff and collaborators, who helped to bring our programming to life: Abrar Chaudhury, Achyut Gautam, Aisha Raheem-Bolarinwa, Dr Catherine Hasted, Claire Wathen, Derrick Feldmann, Izzy (Islam) Mohammed, Jessica Jacobson, Karim Harji, Kathryn M., Lina Papandreou, Liza Belkina, Martin Kalungu-Banda, Marya Hill-Popper Besharov, Menna Clarke, Melissa Berman, Nick Gregg, Oxford Atelier, Oxford University Innovation, Pippa Hichens, Sam Allard, Sarah Tuke, Sebastian Jaramillo, Sophie Crowe, and The Old Fire Station, Oxford.  #SkollWorldForum #SocialImpact #Leadership #Grants #Funding #SkollWF

Thank you to everyone, from Oxford and beyond, who joined us in the Nest last week for our packed programme of Skoll World Forum and Marmalade events. We had a great time sparking discussions with new and familiar faces, and we hope to see many of you again next month on Friday, May 2nd (⏰15:30-16:30 GMT) at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and online for our next #InsightsforAction seminar. Moderated by Professor Marya Hill-Popper Besharov, Academic Director of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, this seminar will discuss the work of social entrepreneurs in conflict and post-conflict settings, and lessons from their work for anyone working in these uncertain times.  Speakers:  📗Freshta Karim, Founder of Charmaghz. Freshta is a public speaker, advocate, and storyteller passionate about education, social change, and resilience.     🤝Alona Revko, Academic Visitor at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. Alona’s research focuses on stakeholder relationships in social entrepreneurship ecosystems across the UK, Ukraine, and Poland, with an emphasis on resilience and rebuilding in extreme contexts.     🗻 Shoshana Stewart, President of Turquoise Mountain, an international NGO dedicated to preserving artisan traditions and supporting community development in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East.    This seminar is hybrid and open to the public. For those joining in person, the seminar will be followed by a reception.      Read more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eppa-idP  

So, the Skoll World Forum comes to a close. A few reflections and some seeds for what comes next. 1️⃣ Changemakers are all around us. On the street (actually, running - I’d overestimated how much I could squeeze in between sessions), I bumped into margaret odera. Last time I saw her, she was on stage receiving a Skoll Award alongside Dr. Madeleine Ballard. Without SWF, I might have walked right by. That’s what convening does at its best - it creates the conditions for connection, for energy, for unexpected collisions. And speaking of changemakers - what a privilege to spend time with our Skoll Scholars from the past 21 years. It was a reminder that the future is already in the room. Their energy, insight, and commitment to social impact are unstoppable. 2️⃣ Bridging is not a side project We need to bring together social entrepreneurs, business leaders, funders, people with influence, and those whose voices often go unheard. And not just in the same room - we need to rework the hierarchy, change the terms of engagement, and find new ways of working together. 3️⃣ We're all climbing the same mountain. That was Charmian (Char) Love opening line in the session that she chaired so brilliantly, with colleagues from across sectors talking profit, purpose, and systems change. We may have different routes but we share the same goal: a world that works for all of us. Gregory Rockson spoke powerfully about designing health ventures around patient realities, including transport costs. Nasir C. Qadree reminded us that the biggest problems are the biggest opportunities and that early-stage, inclusive investing can challenge extractive models. And Carla Barboto of Paccari Chocolate brought it all down to earth, literally, through regenerative agriculture (thank you for the delicious chocolate!). 4️⃣ Translation isn't optional. Ask a corporate leader and they might talk about market risk. Ask an Indigenous elder and they’ll speak of ancestral land and sacred spaces. It’s not enough to hear both sides - we need to stay with the messiness, work through the discomfort, and find common ground that helps us act differently. From Farwiza Farhan I was reminded that humility is the key. We’re not here to extract; we’re here to listen, learn, and act differently. 5️⃣ Diversity isn’t just a value - it’s a driver of innovation. Some of the most powerful ideas come from the places of greatest disadvantage. That’s why the work of organisations like Missing Billion Initiative is so vital - shout out to Vinson Lee for his pivotal work at SWF. Where we're born is a lottery. How we show up is not. Congratulations to everyone at Skoll Foundation, to Marya Hill-Popper Besharov and our amazing team at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, and to our brilliant Skoll Fellows for their powerful contributions throughout the week. Also huge thanks to Marmalade, and TheSidebar, and Saïd Business School, University of Oxford for hosting us.

🚀 Introducing The Web of Us Podcast 🎙️ We’re proud to introduce The Web of Us, a new podcast that delves into the visible and invisible connections that shape our world. Hosted by Claire Wathen, a Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Visiting Fellow, this engaging series explores networks in everything from our brains and nature to our communities and workplaces. 🔍 What to Expect? Each episode explores network theory through a different discipline lens, including: ✅ A leading Oxford University expert providing academic insight ✅ A global leader sharing applications from tech, art, and social change fields 🌍 What if we’re more connected than our disciplines, industries, and languages suggest? And what worlds could that open up? 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform & explore how networks shape our world—and your impact within it. #TheWebOfUs #SkollCentre #Networks #Leadership #Collaboration #PodcastLaunch #OxfordSaïd

It’s hard to capture the energy of last week—but “inspired” is an understatement. From the Dean Soumitra Dutta's Skoll Foundation Drinks Reception, where I had the pleasure of meeting Marla Blow to whom Don Gips has passed the batton for the Foundation's leadership, and other bold leaders across sectors—it was a reminder of the power of aligned communities to drive real, systemic change. As a current Skoll Scholar, the Skoll Scholar Summit was especially meaningful. Engaging with alumni who are each transforming their sectors—education, climate, health, agriculture—was both grounding and galvanizing. It reinforced what we already know: no one drives change alone. We build off each other’s courage, lessons, and vision. I also had the honour of participating in a timely discussion alongside Trase - Intelligence for sustainable trade and Tony's Chocolonely on the role of data in tackling deforestation and transforming agricultural supply chains. These are the conversations we need more of—where innovation meets accountability. At Farmz2U, we’re working to strengthen the power of informal structures across agriculture and drive visibility that supports sustainable sourcing and climate resilience. The week deepened my resolve and broadened my lens. 💬 What gives you hope right now in tackling systemic challenges? I’d love to hear what you’re building, learning, or wrestling with. In the world as it is today, there’s still so much to be optimistic about. Thank you to the Skoll Foundation, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship for curating spaces that feels both visionary and practical.

Skoll World Forum was a space where local stories found a global audience. Firstly, I want to thank the Skoll Foundation team, Jeffrey Skoll, Don, Marla, Gayle, Lindsey, Shivani, Sashi Buluswar, and Jim DeMartini, for listening to the untold stories of the farmers that we work with at Khetipati Organics. Our conversation highlighted the urgent call to reimagine our global food systems, bring sustainable agriculture to the forefront, and support the often-overlooked rural and Himalayan communities. Protecting these communities means acting now before they are further affected by the deepening climate crisis, economic instability, and risk of being left behind in global food systems. At the social venture showcase, I highlighted Khetipati Organics' efforts in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and socio-economic inclusion, particularly among women in rural Nepal. In a time when many are moving away from farming, we believe that it is essential to invest in agriculture not just for food, but for identity, dignity, and environmental stewardship. Lastly, I made some great friends and mentors. As a current Skoll scholar, meeting past scholars at the Scholar's Summit was very encouraging and homy. This community reminded me that while we face shared problems, we do have the ability to solve them and quite often it's just a matter of prioritization. A sincere thank you to the Skoll Foundation, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, and the University of Oxford for nurturing a global community working toward a more just and sustainable world. #SkollWF

🌐 The Skoll World Forum always blends inspiration, optimism, and collective action towards innovative social change solutions. This year's motif of kintsugi - the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold-filled seams - symbolized both the real fractures within organizations and across systems, and the opportunity to rebuild with greater strength and beauty. 🎯 This year's Forum wasn't just acknowledging the cracks in our systems, but confronting how we must reimagine impact finance and impact measurement, share what's being tested or working, and create new combinations of capital and collective action. There's still much to do, but the gold filling those fractures is already taking shape. Here's a taste of what we explored in my sessions, which we'll pick up in the Oxford Impact Measurement Programme (June 16-20) https://bit.ly/4cqP7RG and the Oxford Impact Finance Innovations Programme (Nov 10-14) https://bit.ly/3FUcmaL 💡 Meaningful Measurement - Co-hosted by Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and The Old Fire Station, we explored how organizations and funders can move towards impact measurement approaches that centre lived experiences, reflect the context of social change, and facilitate organizational learning. → Explore the Playbook https://bit.ly/3XREtNU → Research - Measuring Impact https://bit.ly/4i2pOqg 🧩 Systems Thinking for Impact Investing - Hosted by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors building on last year's session https://bit.ly/4cryGEK, we've heard that impact investors - esp. "impact first" family offices, foundations, funds - struggle to know where to start or how to build a holistic approach. In response, we've developed an integrated framework with a menu of engagement options and starting points, organizational examples, practitioner perspectives, and interactive tools. → Join the April 15th webinar with Access - The Foundation for Social Investment and Acumen https://bit.ly/4coTvke → Primer/Tools forthcoming here https://bit.ly/3W0amne 🔀 Amplifying Innovative Finance - Co-hosted by the Innovative Finance Initiative, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Open Capital, Impact Frontiers, we brought together practitioners who are creating innovative capital structures to catalyze social impact. Camden Community Wealth Fund shared their inclusive approach to youth participation in fund design, and Delta40 Venture Studio shared their hybrid VC fund/venture studio model in the African context. → Join the webinar on April 24 with Aunnie Patton Power https://bit.ly/3XO6m9s → Learn more about the Innovative Finance Initiative https://bit.ly/4i2p6Jx Many thanks to session collaborators Marya Hill-Popper Besharov, Jessica Jacobson, Menna Clarke, Sarah Cassidy, Jeremy Spafford, Sarah Tuke, Paige Hannah, Heather Grady, Alejandro Alvarez von Gustedt, Diana Scearce, Seb Elsworth MBE, Emilie Goodall, Lydia Levy, Matt Ripley, Andreas Zeller, Lyndsay Holley Handler, Rhea Fofana, Sarah Faber, Marmalade