Hall of New Longevity Fellows

Abdalaziz de Moura was recognized as an Ashoka Fellow for his transformative work in rural education in Brazil. Through the Instituto Abdalaziz de Moura, he has redefined formal education in rural schools to make it more relevant and applicable to students and families in predominantly agricultural areas. Abdalaziz also spearheads the Flor de Mandacaru Project focuses on social inclusion, financial and environmental education for older adults. It promotes healthy aging by strengthening community bonds, raising socio-environmental awareness, and fostering discussions on entrepreneurship and debt management, contributing significantly to community well-being and resilience. Learn more.

• Focus: Health and Workforce

Ai-jen Poo is transforming the care economy by organizing domestic workers and reframing caregiving as essential to society and the economy. Through the National Domestic Workers Alliance and initiatives like Caring Across Generations, she champions dignified jobs, equitable home-based care, and legislative reforms such as the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. Ai-jen bridges workers and employers through collaboration, creating grassroots movements like *Care Councils* and digital platforms like FairTradeCare.com to connect trained caregivers with fair jobs. By combining advocacy, training, and storytelling, Ai-jen is addressing the care crisis, uplifting a historically undervalued workforce, and redefining caregiving as a cornerstone of a just society. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Albeiro Vargas, through his organization Fundación Albeiro Vargas y Ángeles Custodios, is transforming elder care in Colombia with his Guardian Angel program, which integrates children into nursing homes to foster intergenerational connections and reshape societal attitudes toward aging. Based on structured stages, the program engages children in care activities, leadership roles, and public advocacy, nurturing them as future social leaders while providing emotional support and purpose to elderly residents. Albeiro’s innovative model includes in-house currency systems, skills training, and intergenerational activities, promoting dignity and productivity among the elderly. Through partnerships, policy influence, and plans for expansion, Albeiro is redefining elder care as a shared societal responsibility and a cornerstone for stronger family and community bonds. Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational Connectedness

Alejandra Cabezas is transforming healthcare in Argentina’s vulnerable communities through her organization, Surcos. By mobilizing cross-sector collaborations, engaging local citizens, and training healthcare professionals, Alejandra has introduced a holistic approach to community health. Surcos identifies root causes of health challenges—ranging from domestic violence to intergenerational conflict—and crafts tailored interventions that empower communities as changemakers. From creating health-focused media campaigns to influencing public policy and training future doctors, Alejandra’s work is building a sustainable model for inclusive, multidisciplinary healthcare that is reshaping the nation’s public health landscape.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Alejandro Marius breaks the vicious cycle of poverty through his organization Trabajo y Persona (Work and People). He promotes the development of entrepreneurs’ abilities and their training in offices for productive work. He makes an impact on excluded women and youngsters who don’t work or study and who don’t have any opportunities of overcoming their situation. Alejandro develops an ecosystem linking these Training Centers with enterprises to create an inclusive business model to strengthen their sustainability. Through his own methodology called Emprender 360, which innovatively trains facilitators from Training Centers on different offices to give their students the opportunity to empower themselves in entrepreneurship and self-employment, with opportunities that make a difference by having a job that stops poverty and gets them away of crime, earlier. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Ana Urrutia, is transforming Spain's socio-sanitary care system through her Foundation Cuidados Dignos. Ana developed the Libera Care Norm to provide the guidelines to properly manage and eliminate physical restraints, a common yet troubling practice worldwide, if possible. Her movement has grown into a radical overhaul of the traditional, risk-focused care model. Ana’s approach champions dignified and humanized elder care, focusing on reshaping care institutions by transforming their work culture and prioritizing the needs of each individual. Learn more. 

• Focus: Caregiving

Anil Patil, founder of Carers Worldwide, is transforming caregiving in developing countries by advocating for carers’ recognition and support. Collaborating with local organizations, he creates carer support groups, skill-building programs, and community care centers, offering economic opportunities and emotional well-being for carers while improving the quality of care they provide. Anil amplifies carers' voices through district-level associations and policy advocacy, pushing for social security and carer allowances. His data-driven approach highlights carers’ economic value, compelling stakeholders to act. To date, he has directly improved the lives of thousands of carers and their families, establishing caregiving as a vital, supported role. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Anne Basting, through her organization TimeSlips, is transforming the experience of aging and the stigma surrounding dementia and memory loss by empowering older adults and their caregivers with new practices rooted in creative expression and community building. Having demonstrated the impact at the individual level, her sights are now set on transforming institutions of care into cultural and community centers of creative expression and growth.Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Arundhuti Gupta, founder of Mentor Together, is revolutionizing mentoring in India to empower young people and bridge socio-economic gaps. Through her digital platform, Mentor to Go, she connects underprivileged youth with trained mentors, fostering work readiness through evidence-based curriculums, personalized coaching, and skills development. Partnering with governments, corporations, and educational institutions, she has facilitated over 6,000 mentoring pairs and expanded access to multiple Indian languages. By combining rigorous training, monitoring, and a data-driven approach, Arundhuti is institutionalizing mentoring as a critical tool for youth development, aiming to reach 100,000 young people and embed mentoring into national policy. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce and Intergenerational connectedness

At Manah Wellness, the mission is clear: To cultivate champions of well-being by empowering individuals and organizations to embark on their mental health journey. In a world where mental health often takes a backseat, Manah Wellness confronts the prevalent issue of neglecting mental well-being. They recognize the silent crisis of untreated conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress, which silently erode the fabric of individuals and communities, fostering a culture of silent suffering. Understanding the profound consequences of ignoring mental health, Manah Wellness conducts extensive awareness campaigns and destigmatization efforts while improving access to mental health resources. They firmly believe that addressing mental health is not just an individual concern but a societal imperative, as untreated issues affect personal relationships, work productivity, and community cohesion. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

The Live Oak Project and The Elders Guild work together to redefine elder care by fostering meaningful engagement and community. The Live Oak Project involves family members, caregiving staff, and the wider community to support elders as they learn, teach, grow, and build their legacies, improving morale, reducing medication use, enhancing health outcomes, and retaining loyal staff. The Elders Guild creates interdependent communities that promote meaning, connection, and co-caring, providing wisdom paths for elders to pursue lifelong learning, develop mastery, and become active sages. Through this collective framework, elders contribute their resources and time, leaving a positive legacy and working toward a better future for generations to come. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Beka Ntsanwisi, through her Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation, is redefining aging by empowering older adults, particularly grandmothers in rural South Africa, to lead active and healthy lives through community soccer teams. In response to the physical and emotional toll of caregiving and sedentary lifestyles, her foundation mobilizes women over 50 for regular training, morning jogs, and tournaments that foster fitness, camaraderie, and support. Self-sustained through member contributions, the initiative not only eases stress but also builds a sense of belonging. International recognition, including the "Grannies International Football Tournament," has inspired similar programs worldwide. Beyond sports, Beka champions intergenerational respect and educates children on the value of exercise, envisioning a world where football sparks joy, health, and connection for older adults everywhere. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

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With only 2,000 neurologists available to support over a million aging individuals with cognitive diseases in France, the lack of managed care creates significant bottlenecks in the healthcare system, resulting in severe social and psychological consequences for patients and their families. Bénédicte Défontaines, through her organization Réseau mémoire Aloïs, is addressing this challenge by establishing a radically new intervention chain that begins at the early signs of cognitive decline. She provides patients, families, and medical professionals with the tools needed to manage these situations compassionately, empowering society to reduce the risks and costs associated with cognitive diseases. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Bernardo is igniting the spark of democratic participation in young people by fostering intergenerational collaboration. He has created Mypolis, a platform designed to enhance democratic education based on practical dynamics. This innovative system implemented in more than 40 municipalities in Portugal, and now expanding to other countries in the EU, is allowing young citizens to voice their needs and work together with local authorities to implement them and created tangible impact in their communities. Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

For over 25 years, Carmen, cofounder of ProMujer, has empowered women at the base of the pyramid by providing access to capital and support to improve their lives and families’ well-being. A pioneer in microfinance across Latin America, she now uses her global influence to ensure microfinance organizations measure their impact and stay accountable to poverty reduction goals. Carmen also leads a program that strengthens and empowers older adults, primarily women, fostering their active participation in society. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Carlos  is responding to the failing healthcare system in Venezuela by introducing a new model of care based on family practice medicine and centered on community participation and responsibility. His Family Medicine Foundation, Fundación Venezolana para la Medicina Familiar provides affordable primary care (that resolves 85% of health issues in low income communities), trains medical professionals in family medicine techniques, and makes patients aware of their role in their own healthcare. As a result, Carlos is reducing medical costs, reviving a dying “specialty”, and putting communities in charge of their wellness. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Catalina, through her organization 101 Ideas and its flagship initiative, the Old Age Observatory, is transforming perceptions of older adults in Colombia by fostering inclusion and economic participation. Motivated by her mother’s struggles with age-related discrimination, she uses data-driven advocacy to challenge stereotypes, influence policy, and develop innovative programs like caregiver training and digital literacy for seniors. Her work led to the enactment of Law 2040, incentivizing companies to hire older adults and bridging pension gaps. Through partnerships with foundations, government bodies, and corporations, Catalina is paving the way for ageneutral workplaces, ensuring older adults’ contributions are valued, and promoting financial security and intergenerational collaboration. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce and Intergenerational connectedness

Chris Underhill, through his organization Elders Council, has created a movement in the field of mental health that expands existing talent in local communities and puts the mentally ill and their families in charge of resolving challenges. Chris has spread his model across the developed and developing world, and in this process normalized the integration of the mentally ill into society as active and engaged citizens.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Connie envisions a society where caregivers of all ages are supported and their contributions to family and community health are valued. Through the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) in Palm Beach County, Florida, she helps youth caregivers balance their education and caregiving responsibilities. The only comprehensive program for youth caregivers in the U.S., AACY offers immediate support to prevent youth from having to choose between school and family. Unlike other international programs, Connie’s model integrates health, education, and community systems, providing holistic support both in school and at home to keep children in school and families intact. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Esther Rantzen is a trailblazing social entrepreneur who founded ChildLine in 1986, a confidential helpline for children in distress that inspired similar initiatives worldwide, including Childline India by Fellow Jeroo Billimoria in 1996. In 2013, she turned her focus to addressing elderly isolation by launching The Silver Line, a free 24/7 helpline providing connection and support to older adults in the UK. With over 700,000 calls in its first two years and 2,000 trained volunteer befrienders, The Silver Line has brought national attention to the issue of loneliness among seniors. Esther's pioneering efforts have not only established critical support systems but also driven systemic change, placing child protection and elder care at the forefront of public awareness. Learn more about her impactful work and the ongoing debate surrounding these vital issues. Learn more.

Championing the dying bill in the UK.

• Focus: Caregiving

Our modern societies are facing the erosion of social bonds, leaving a significant part of the population feeling abandoned, excluded, or useless. Through Les Petites Cantines, Diane designs a new type of communal space in the form of lunchrooms open to all, offering neighborhood residents new opportunities for social interaction. She is revolutionizing the approach to loneliness by empowering citizens to become agents of social cohesion and to rediscover the value of meaningful social bonds.Learn more.

• Focus: Interngenerational connectedness

Didier Ketels founded Droits Quotidiens to train social workers as legal intermediaries who simplify the law and help disadvantaged groups resolve legal disputes quickly and fairly. His approach prevents less resourced people from getting caught in the bureaucracy of social and legal help for matters such as housing, debt repayment, or health and family problems—many of which can be worked out without ever needing a lawyer. Learn more.

• Focus: Legal

Guided by values of empathy and connection and anchored in over a decade of rigorous research Dixon, through Friendship Bench, is reimagining the delivery of evidence-based mental health. The Friendship Bench clinical team trains community health workers (also known as lay health workers) to provide basic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with an emphasis on Problem Solving Therapy, activity scheduling and peer led group support. This task shifting approach means they can deliver an effective, affordable, and sustainable solution to bridge the mental health treatment gap at a primary care level. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Dr. Sanjeev Arora is addressing the urgent need for accessible, specialized care by connecting underserved communities to expert knowledge through Project ECHO. By leveraging communication technology, Dr. Arora is not only closing critical gaps in the U.S. healthcare system for patients with chronic diseases but is also transforming the way communities access life-saving information. Through the ECHO Model, his organization empowers local leaders across healthcare, education, and civic sectors, making specialized expertise a shared resource for everyone. Project ECHO is on a mission to reach 1 billion lives by 2025, creating a global movement to improve health and well-being everywhere.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

DY is transforming dementia care in Indonesia through Yayasan Alzheimer Indonesia, the country’s first organization dedicated to supporting Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. By launching the Jangan Maklum Dengan Pikun (“Do Not Underestimate Memory Loss”) campaign, she has raised nationwide awareness about the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s, reaching over 150 million Indonesians and building a robust network of volunteers. Her work includes dementia care skills training certified by Alzheimer’s Disease International, advocacy for Alzheimer-friendly cities, and innovative programs like brain-health campaigns and senior-friendly parks. With plans to establish a Centre of Excellence, DY is pioneering comprehensive, person-centered care solutions to improve lives across generations. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Edith, through Noora Health, is empowering hospitals to utilize families as caregivers by training "nurse-educators" to teach family members basic medical procedures through video tutorials and demonstrations. This reduces the reliance on medical staff for routine tasks like monitoring vital signs and post-operative care, while leveraging the compassion and willingness of families. Edith’s model, integrated into hospital systems at minimal cost ($1 per trainee), has trained 15,000 family members across 16 Narayana Hospitals and two government hospitals in India. As a result, post-surgery complications have decreased by 36%, and hospital readmissions have dropped by 22%. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Through 55 Mais, Elena is transforming societal and self-perceptions of individuals over fifty-five by positioning them as essential contributors within their communities. She has built a new architecture to enable mature citizens to offer and match their unique "talents" to their communities fostering a sense of usefulness, social interaction, and economic empowerment among participants. Elena is dismantling stereotypes highlighting the value that older adults bring to society. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Farha Ciciek and her husband lead transformative work in Ledokombo, East Java, through their organization Tanoker, empowering migrant worker families facing financial instability, child malnutrition, and challenges with children left behind by migrant parents. Through innovative programs like Sekolah Yang Eyang (Grandparents' School), Sekolah Pak Bapak (Father's School), and Sekolah Bok Ebok (Mother's School), Tanoker fosters community-based parenting, where the whole village plays a role in raising children. By promoting positive long-distance parenting and providing digital literacy training for grandparents, they harness intergenerational support to strengthen family bonds and create changemakers. This approach has reduced youth delinquency and inspired some migrant parents to stay home and start local businesses, transforming the lives of families and their community. Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

Through Fundación 26 de diciembre, Federico is transforming the lives of LGBTQ+ seniors in Spain, a group historically marginalized and isolated from traditional elder care. Despite recent legal progress, LGBTQ+ seniors still face high rates of loneliness and have a suicide rate 50% higher than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Federico is addressing these challenges by empowering LGBTQ+ seniors to lead and co-create spaces where they can live authentically, build supportive communities, and shape new opportunities for a fulfilling life. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving and Health

DUO for a JOB is redesigning the traditional structures of mentoring, placing successful Belgian retirees as formal coaches for non-European unemployed youths entering the job market. In uniting these two populations, they are unlocking the social and cultural capital largely held by Belgian populations and fostering empathy between the local communities and people on the move.Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Gabriela, through her work at Olabi, leads a social organization dedicated to democratizing access to Brazil’s technological landscape. Rooted in the belief that bridging the gap between people and technology is essential, Olabi’s flagship initiative, Transborda 60+, empowers individuals over 60 with digital and media literacy. This program focuses on the educational development of older adults, prioritizing women and underserved communities, fostering active citizenship, and addressing the social inequalities deepened by Brazil’s digital transformation.Learn more.

• Focus: Digital Literacy

Through pinBox Solutions, Gautam Bharadwaj is helping to design, build, and deploy inclusive digital micro-pension systems that empower non-salaried workers to save for a secure and dignified retirement. His approach creates accessible financial tools and encourages lifelong savings, making retirement planning a viable option for millions who previously lacked access to such resources. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Gernot Jochum-Müller, through his organization ALLMENDA Social Business eG, pioneers the use of complementary currencies, such as time-based systems, to support elderly care in local communities. He advocates for integrating these alternative care models into the infrastructure of communities and regions, offering a range of domestic services to assist frail elderly individuals and reduce the strain on professional geriatric nurses. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Children from less-resourced backgrounds suffering from chronic illnesses in Philippine public hospitals endure extreme stress and pain. Their families and hospital staff also face the physical demands of caregiving and the emotional strain of managing serious, often terminal, conditions. Through her organization, Kythe Inc., Maria Fatima “Girlie” Lorenzo is transforming these hospitals by establishing a national psychosocial support system for underserved patients, their families, and caregivers. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Heidi is pioneering dementia care through her organization, NOEN, by focusing on early diagnosis, prevention, and individual-centered care. With a vision to transform the sector, she has developed a tailored treatment program that prioritizes the unique needs and abilities of each person. Recognizing the challenges posed by an aging population and healthcare professional shortages, Heidi is leading a shift towards innovative, technology-driven salutogenic healthcare, designed to improve well-being for individuals with dementia. Through NOEN, Heidi aims to revolutionize public attitudes toward dementia care, ensuring dignity, respect, and compassionate support for families navigating these challenges.Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Hildegard’s organization, Mütterzentren bundesverband e.V., through its multigenerational houses, challenges the marginalization of vulnerable groups by fostering neighborhood connections and collective care. Inspired by the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” these houses redefine the responsibilities of caring for children, the elderly, the sick, and the disabled as shared community duties. Often referred to as "public living rooms," these centers provide public space for the elderly, women, and children, promoting peer-to-peer interaction. Managed by the members themselves, the houses offer social services, entrepreneurial support, and skill-building opportunities, creating a space for both social connection and personal empowerment..Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

In Germany, which is experiencing an increasing disconnect between young people and the growing elderly population, Horst Krumbach, through Generationsbrücke Deutschland, is working to form relationships across generations to foster empathy, understanding, and life-long learning. He is changing how the elderly socially define themselves and how society perceives their value as individuals. Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

Javier Lozano, through Clínicas del Azúcar, has developed a low-cost, one-stop-shop clinic model to treat diabetes and prevent its associated complications. By leveraging advanced technology and diagnostic and treatment innovations, these clinics provide high-quality, affordable medical care to populations who might otherwise lack access.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

As the elderly live longer lives and make up an increasing percentage of the population in Europe, Jean-Michel, through Siel Bleu, is helping them overcome various physical and psychological ailments that prevent them from enjoying their later years. His program emphasizes the importance of prevention, using unique exercises and physical training to delay the onset of age-related impairments and diseases. Equally important, it helps seniors maintain their ability to function independently and retain the social connections that have defined them for most of their lives.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Jimmy, through his organization The Human Aspect, is revolutionizing mental health awareness and care with the Life Experience Library, a global initiative that destigmatizes mental health struggles by sharing real-life stories. Partnering with social media platforms, schools, and therapists, *The Human Aspect* ensures these powerful narratives reach diverse audiences, fostering understanding and offering hope. Abbreviated video versions are shared widely to engage viewers and connect them with full-length resources, while multilingual interviews and podcasts deepen the impact. Jimmy's work with educational institutions, such as Oslo schools and universities, integrates mental health discussions into curricula, reshaping how young people learn and talk about mental health. Therapists and health systems in Norway, the UK, and beyond use the videos to complement care, while a user-friendly Help Page connects individuals to vital resources. By leveraging innovative strategies, *The Human Aspect* is creating a global movement that redefines mental health education and support, ensuring it is accessible, empathetic, and transformative. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Joana, through Movimento Transformers and Reformers  activates seniors to engage in lifelong learning and contribution. Volunteers share their talents with senior groups, aiming to enhance civic participation, reduce social isolation, and combat ageism. Throughout the program, seniors identify and address social issues in their communities, applying their newly acquired skills to create solutions. By connecting youth communities and seniors, Joana is fostering a sense of community, belonging, and intergenerational celebration. Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational Connectedness
   

João Paulo, dedicated to coordinated healthcare and healthy aging, became an Ashoka Fellow through his impactful work at Instituto Horas de Vida, a social organization that mobilizes a volunteer network in the healthcare sector. He also founded the Cuidador de Confiança platform, which trains and supports family members and caregivers of older adults in their caregiving journeys. Additionally, João Paulo created **Duv-idoso**, a channel focused on answering health-related questions from older adults, promoting informed and empowered aging.Learn more

• Focus: Health

João Souza leads Fa.Vela, a pioneering organization in Brazil that bridges the digital divide and fosters entrepreneurship within marginalized communities. Through its flagship program, "Perifa 60+," FA.VELA empowers older adults with vital digital skills, enabling them to thrive in a technology-driven world. This initiative not only addresses the digital gap but also fosters active participation and personal agency among its participants. By championing FA.VELA and "Perifa 60+," João Souza is driving the New Longevity initiative, creating a more inclusive society where older adults are equipped with the tools to lead fulfilling and empowered lives. Learn more.

• Focus: Digital Inclusion

Dissatisfied with the healthcare delivery of traditional home-care organizations in the Netherlands, Jos, through his organization Buurtzorg, created a new model centered on the self-management abilities of nursing professionals. This approach has resulted in a more responsive, patient-centric system that provides higher-quality care. Over time, this model enables patients to maintain their independence and reduces reliance on costly institutionalized care. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Dr. Josep Vergés, through OAFI Foundation, has pioneered the ARTRO 360 health model to tackle osteoarthritis, a condition impacting 15% of the global population aged 30 and older. Traditionally seen as an unavoidable reality of aging, ARTRO 360 demonstrates that pain and associated consequences can be significantly reduced through prevention and education. This innovative platform integrates scientifically validated resources into primary care centers, offering a comprehensive guide co-created with patients to empower individuals, families, specialists, and caregivers. By fostering knowledge-sharing and proactive care, OAFI champions active aging and improved quality of life for those affected. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Through Grandmother Project, Judi Aubel is transforming socio-cultural norms by mobilizing grandmothers—an influential yet often overlooked resource within communities. Her work empowers grandmothers to champion key issues such as girls’ education, delaying early and forced marriage, reducing teen pregnancy, preventing female genital mutilation, and improving maternal and child health. This intergenerational approach strengthens family communication and supports lasting change in health and social well-being.Learn more, Medium Digest.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness 

Karen Worcman is transforming how stories of personal and collective history are preserved and shared through the Museu da Pessoa, a virtual and multimedia platform that democratizes storytelling. Inspired by her work on Memória e Migração, a book documenting Jewish immigrant experiences in Brazil, Karen envisioned a dynamic space where anyone could record their life narratives. The Museum collects oral histories alongside photographs, personal documents, and videos, creating a rich archive accessible online for educational and social purposes. Karen’s work connects individuals across generations and societal roles, from corporate executives to marginalized communities, using storytelling as a tool for inclusion and understanding. Through partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, unions, and international organizations, she has developed diverse projects, including narratives of the elderly, homeless, and unemployed workers. Karen’s vision extends globally, with plans for cross-cultural exchanges, mobile recording units, and educational initiatives, all aimed at fostering respect for diverse experiences and celebrating the wisdom of ordinary lives. Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

Laura is transforming lifelong care and work-life balance to ensure that no woman must choose between her career and her family. She is driving a new model of care by leading a social movement to dismantle the myth that mothers must be "superwomen," instead building on the principles of workplace balance and shared responsibility. The "Malas Madres" community, with over a million members, is awakening society to recognize care as a shared social responsibility, not an individual burden. This vibrant network of activist mothers collectively advocates for the social and economic recognition of motherhood, championing lifelong care for families and communities. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving and Workforce

Leila Novak became an Ashoka Fellow for her pioneering work with the Papel Solidário Network, an organization transforming the social sector by supporting civil society organizations, collectives, and impact businesses with a focus on institutional strengthening and sustainability. She is currently piloting the Longevidade Para Todos Program, designed to enhance quality of life and promote social inclusion in alignment with the vision of longevity for all. This program empowers senior members of municipalities to actively engage their communities and inspire broader audiences, fostering a more inclusive and connected society. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Lone Koldby is redefining eldercare by prioritizing quality of life and personal fulfillment in nursing homes through her pioneering initiative, Aktivitetdosetten. Inspired by her mother’s experience with dementia and her own work in eldercare, Lone challenges the traditional, medication-focused approach by introducing "activity dosettes"—personalized plans that prioritize individual interests and social interactions alongside medical regimens. Through innovative tools like the *Felleskatalog*, a catalog of activities tailored to residents' preferences, and the *Activity Suitcase*, a toolkit for nursing home staff, Lone equips caregivers with resources to create meaningful daily routines. Her method transforms nursing homes from passive environments into vibrant communities, where activities like dancing, painting, or walking replace one-size-fits-all programs. With proven benefits, including increased engagement and reduced dependency on medication, Lone's approach energizes both residents and staff. Her vision extends beyond Scandinavia, with ambitions to scale this personalized, dignity-centered eldercare model across Europe.Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Lorenzo is on a mission to make Media and Information Literacy (MIL) an essential life skill for everyone, empowering people to navigate today's fast-paced digital landscape with confidence. Through his organization, Verificat, he is transforming how we access and assess information in a world where the volume of data and the impact of artificial intelligence are rapidly growing. Specifically, Lorenzo has developed a peer-to-peer methodology where seniors, mostly vulnerable to disinformation, train their peers to consume and produce information accurately through community centers in their cities. Learn more. 

• Focus: Digital Inclusion

Luis Francisco, through his organization Convite, is reshaping the perception of older adults by emphasizing their strengths and contributions rather than viewing them as burdensome or dependent. His approach integrates the collection of fact-based data on the needs of the elderly population with network and community-building efforts to influence public policy and foster their active participation in society. Convite advocates for a reformed social security system that values people at every stage of life, positioning older adults as key contributors to the country’s development and revitalizing their role in social life.Learn more

• Focus: Workforce

Marc Freedman is redefining the third stage of life by creating opportunities for older adults to engage meaningfully in their communities and reshape societal perceptions of aging, through CoGenerate. Building on his pioneering Experience Corps program, which mobilized retired adults to mentor at-risk youth, Marc launched Civic Ventures to develop broader initiatives like Life Options. This concept empowers aging individuals to transition into retirement through purposeful civic engagement while equipping communities with tools to harness their contributions. Piloted in cities across the U.S., Life Options combines life planning, retooling, and placement with community-driven models that address pressing social challenges. Through strategic partnerships with institutions like the Cleveland Foundation and public libraries, Marc envisions a future where older adults view retirement as a time to make their most profound contributions, fostering renewed civic participation and addressing societal needs on a transformative scale.Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

Magda, a doctor, is redefining elderly care by creating a new professional niche: home healthcare. Addressing the shift from family caregiving to costly, impersonal institutions, she trains compassionate recruits to deliver quality care, restoring companionship and dignity to the elderly and homebound. Her model creates jobs, provides affordable services, and fosters a professional, empathetic caregiving standard. To ensure sustainability, Magda partners with private hospitals, offering home healthcare providers institutional support and employee benefits like insurance, making her approach both practical and impactful. Learn more. 

• Focus: Caregiving

Dr. Manoj Kumar is revolutionizing mental health care in India by shifting the role of medical professionals from sole providers to facilitators of community-based care. Using innovative interventions like telepsychiatry and task sharing, he has decentralized mental health services, empowering trained non-professional health workers and community volunteers to take on rehabilitation and recovery roles previously handled only by psychiatrists. By integrating mental health into existing institutions like Palliative Care and Primary Health Centers, Dr. Manoj reduces stigma and cuts treatment costs by up to 70% per patient annually. His model delivers comprehensive, affordable care to resource-scarce areas, providing support through trusted local networks. Proven successful in Kerala, it is now in demand across India, including tribal regions, as Dr. Manoj scales his vision for equitable, community-driven mental health care. Learn more

• Focus: Health

Maria de Lourdes is transforming societal attitudes toward aging in Brazil by creating physical and theoretical spaces for the social integration of older adults. Through her Day Centers, she fosters a vision of healthy aging as a collective effort, offering more than medical support with services like physiotherapy, psychological care, music, theater, and legal assistance. By partnering with government agencies, health professionals, universities, and youth organizations, Maria de Lourdes has built a robust network that supports seniors with specialized care, promotes intergenerational collaboration, and addresses critical issues such as retirement rights and family dynamics. Her Centers empower seniors to actively manage events, fundraise, and contribute to their community’s vitality. Expanding her model beyond Rio de Janeiro, Maria de Lourdes is reshaping perceptions of aging, proving that older adults can lead enriched, impactful lives while inspiring solidarity and volunteerism across generations.Learn more

• Focus: Health

Mark Swift, through his organization Wellbeing Enterprises CIC envisions a future where communities actively shape their health outcomes by addressing the root causes of illness through non-clinical, social solutions. Since 2006, they have championed a transformative social model of health, integrated across clinical pathways from primary to end-of-life care. By equipping healthcare professionals with social health tools and advocating for holistic wellbeing assessments for every patient, Wellbeing Enterprises is bridging health disparities and driving systemic change. Their commitment to co-designing services ensures inclusivity, while their advocacy for investments in social prescribing and access to wellbeing activities empowers individuals, particularly older adults, to lead fulfilling lives.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Marie-Noëlle, through her organization Les Invités au Festin, is transforming mental health care by combating stigmatization and fostering inclusion. Her community-driven living centers engage local stakeholders and provide tailored support, enabling patients, staff, and volunteers to grow together. By integrating doctors as external partners and reducing reliance on traditional healthcare, her model lowers costs from €800 to €50 per patient per day, funded through social security, local contributions, and income-generating activities. With significant reductions in symptoms, hospitalizations, and relapses, her approach is 10 to 70 times more cost-effective than existing solutions, setting a new standard for inclusive mental health care. Learn more. 

• Focus: Health

Marta is redefining sports as a cornerstone of longevity and long-term recovery for individuals with acquired brain injuries. Through the Fundación Segunda Parte, she champions inclusive sports as a fundamental right, promoting the physical and emotional well-being necessary for a healthier, extended life. By developing the PASABI sports methodology, the foundation not only improves quality of life but also empowers individuals to transition from being lifelong patients to active, contributing members of society. This holistic approach is now integrated into an accessible platform for different stakeholders (patients, residences, hospitals, municipalities, etc.) underscoring the role of sports in fostering resilience, independence, and sustained vitality. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Martin is leading a movement to transform end-of-life care in Czechia, creating a compassionate and patient-centered approach through his work at the Centrum Paliativní Péče. Founded in 2014, Martin's organization focuses on two key goals: gathering data on what terminally ill patients need and want as they near the end of life, and using that knowledge to help hospitals, care homes, hospices, GP offices, and government ministries develop strategies that prioritize patient dignity and comfort. Learn more.

• Focus:Caregiving

Masue has revolutionized Japan's nursing home industry by addressing the pressing need for affordable, high-quality eldercare. In 1986, she founded her first nursing home, transforming a low-cost farmhouse into a 16-unit facility, which quickly filled through word-of-mouth. By recognizing the untapped potential of abandoned corporate dorms, she turned 15 into thriving nursing homes, setting the foundation for the now widely adopted Shinkou-kai model. Masue's innovations include the introduction of ISO-9001 certification, ensuring credibility and higher standards in care, and the development of a touch-panel tool to bridge language barriers for immigrant caregivers. Beyond improving physical facilities, Masue focused on creating a home-like environment for residents, emphasizing empathy and dignity. Her efforts to integrate marginalized communities into the workforce and provide equitable opportunities for caregivers, including a retirement age of 80, set a new precedent in the industry. Today, her work has significantly impacted both the private and public nursing home sectors, shaping a more compassionate, inclusive eldercare system. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

DUO for a JOB is redesigning the traditional structures of mentoring, placing successful Belgian retirees as formal coaches for non-European unemployed youths entering the job market. In uniting these two populations, they are unlocking the social and cultural capital largely held by Belgian populations and fostering empathy between the local communities and people on the move.Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Mauricio is empowering young people in Venezuela (ages 16–20) to drive a socially aware and dynamic approach to economic development through Aprendo y Emprendo. By building a youth-led movement of changemakers, Mauricio encourages young people to influence their communities and become role models for future generations. Seeing youth as a core force for innovation, he is also advocating for legal changes to allow businesses to be run by those under 18. With an intergenerational approach that includes senior consultants, Mauricio’s work with Aprendo y Emprendo is creating a collaborative platform that bridges generations, empowering young Venezuelans to lead social and economic change. Learn more

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

Through Anavi, Anani is establishing a nationwide system of Senior Clubs designed to enhance the health and well-being of the 60+ population. This initiative focuses on encouraging seniors to lead active lives and share their experiences through extended networks within their communities. The approach has attracted the attention of Health Ministries in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea Conakry, highlighting its potential impact on elder care in the region.Learn more. 

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness and caregiving

Mary, through her organization Third Age, empowers older adults as active contributors, addressing loneliness and isolation by bridging generational and cultural divides. Her three-pronged approach—local community activities, national helplines for lonely seniors, and global programs pairing seniors with new immigrants—fosters engagement and connection. These initiatives not only combat social isolation but also amplify the voices of older adults in shaping policies. By equipping seniors to serve as conversational English teachers and helpline providers, Mary connects isolated groups and gathers critical insights to drive national and international expansion. Her work builds healthier, more inclusive communities and positions older adults as advocates and changemakers in society. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Mikuláš, through his organization Post Bellum, is fostering civic engagement and a sense of responsibility for public life among youth and adults in Central Europe. He encourages individuals to examine, understand, and engage with their shared past, highlighting the importance of overcoming indifference in public life throughout human history. By orchestrating the creation of a crowdsourced collective narrative of national memory, Mikuláš is embedding critical thinking and active citizenship in young people, providing them with opportunities to practice changemaking in action.Learn more

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

Miriam Israel, through Centro de Cuidados Paliativos de México, IAP, is creating a culture of end-of-life care in Mexico, inspired by successful palliative care experiences in the U.S. Determined to find new ingredients that would allow this approach to succeed where previous attempts have failed, she has developed a set of integrated services to help patients and their families cope with the emotional, psychological, physical, and legal or socioeconomic consequences of death. Miriam is beginning to spread her approach through the emerging National Palliative Care Network, with members in 24 Mexican states. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Mónica Guerra, founder of (Food of Tomorrow Institute) is transforming Brazil’s urban food systems to tackle food security and sustainability. Through her Instituto Comida do Amanhã (ICA), she drives innovative food policies that ensure access to nutritious food while promoting environmental sustainability. Key initiatives like LUPPA help municipalities adopt better food practices, uniting public policy, social entrepreneurship, and community action. Monica's core work focuses on transforming institutional food systems through sustainable, long-term policies that ensure food security for all. By advocating for systemic change at municipal, state, and national levels, she creates structures that empower changemakers and communities to thrive sustainably

• Focus: Health

Morgan, through Previta, is turning the traditional model of community health upside down by caring for communities with chronic diseases as a whole rather than only those who are ill, enabling all community members to take charge of their own care. He seeks to shift the chronic, degenerative disease healthcare paradigm to one focused on wellness rather than disease. Using a disruptive model that includes prevention campaigns and an innovative monitoring system, he is able to maintain community well-being and chronic, degenerative disease control for each individual community member. Morgan’s model allows for remote, continuous monitoring using telemedicine, health coaches, and mobile clinic units.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Myung-sook Seo, through her organization Jeju Olle, is harnessing citizen participation to create cultural and economic development opportunities outside of large metropolitan areas. By mobilizing ordinary citizens to build new hiking trails that pass through villages, she enables local residents and hikers alike to discover previously unappreciated natural and community resources and to build lasting ties beyond those created through typical tourism channels. Learn more. 

• Focus: Health

Nalini is promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing chronic diseases through her organization, Arogya World. Starting in India and expanding globally, she mobilizes youth and women by implementing educational programs in schools and fostering healthier workplace cultures. Nalini also leverages ICT to spread these initiatives across India, empowering women to reshape their families’ nutritional habits and drive lasting change in community health. Through Arogya World, she is building a movement for better health and well-being. Learn more

• Focus: Health

Nani has developed an all-encompassing model that enhances lifelong health through a revolutionary, sustainable, and accessible food system tailored to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities, while revitalizing local agricultural production. Her initiative, Menjadors Ecològics, introduces fresh, local, and organic food into institutional dining services, ensuring healthier and more balanced diets. By fostering networks of local producers, the model strengthens local economies, minimizes environmental impact and fosters active and healthy aging. To scale this impact, Nani created Colectiva, a digital platform that connects local producers with institutional kitchens, streamlining logistics and the planning of eco-friendly, proximity-based menus. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Cycling Without Age is committed to reintegrating nursing home residents into the fabric of urban life by fostering intergenerational connections and combating social isolation. Through trishaw rides, they provide older adults the opportunity to engage with their communities, breaking down generational barriers and promoting empathy, respect, and active citizenship. By reducing loneliness and encouraging local engagement, the organization advocates for inclusive, sustainable communities where all individuals, regardless of age or mobility, can participate fully. Cycling Without Age is not just about rides—it’s about creating social cohesion and empowering individuals to contribute to a more connected, compassionate society. Learn more.

• Focus: Intergenerational connectedness

Olga's work with Mudita addresses the undervalued role of caregivers in Poland, where over two million people provide unpaid care. Her strategy focuses on three areas: respite care, everyday logistics, and advocacy. Mudita has established a nationwide respite care network, offering crucial support to caregivers, and runs the "Power Meals" program to provide healthy meals to families affected by disabilities while reducing food waste. By engaging volunteers, local vendors, and the community, Olga has built strong social support for legislative changes, advocating for better financial and job-market regulations for primary caregivers. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Olivier has revolutionized dementia and elder care through his clowning therapy, a unique methodology developed to engage seniors, especially those in long-term care and with dementia. His NGO, Jovia, has impacted 16,000 elderly individuals in Quebec and Montreal by using cultural references and familiar stimuli from the 1940s to evoke positive memories and enhance emotional, social, and recreational well-being. Olivier's approach emphasizes empathy, respect, and individualized care, providing an atmosphere where imagination and play help reduce stress and foster connection. Through affectionate touch and customized interactions, Olivier breaks isolation and strengthens bonds between seniors, families, and caregivers. Expanding his work to Brazil, Olivier founded Teatro do Sopro to adapt his methods to the Brazilian context, focusing on education, training, and policy influence. His goal is to bridge the gap between research on aging and practical, empathetic care, reaching over 7,000 people in the next two years through workshops and lectures.Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Bridge for Billions is a global digital incubator platform that democratizes access to early-stage entrepreneurship. It breaks down barriers of gender, race, and socioeconomic status, empowering traditionally excluded entrepreneurs with mentorship, training, and support. Accessible to anyone, Bridge for Billions has built a community of mentors that guide participating entrepreneurs. These are often volunteers and business experts in their 50s or more, offering a platform for lifelong contribution, while giving them the opportunity to kick-start a new phase in their career as entrepreneurs themselves. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Through El-Aged Care Initiative Philomena is pioneering transformative approach to elderly care in Nigeria. El-Aged Care Initiative addresses the challenges posed by a rapidly growing aging population, including poverty, limited healthcare access, social isolation, and ageism. Focused on rural areas strained by urban migration, the initiative equips older adults to take charge of their well-being, fostering mentorship and community bonds.By leveraging existing family and community networks, they promote holistic health through education, self-care practices, and recreational activities. They also work tirelessly to raise awareness about the realities of aging and advocate against ageist stereotypes, such as the harmful association of dementia with witchcraft. Philomena envisions sustainable long-term care systems that combat ageist stereotypes and create age-friendly environments, allowing Nigeria’s elderly population to age with dignity in their communities. Through these efforts, the El-Aged Care Initiative seeks to enable fulfilling lives for older adults fostering aspirations and lifelong contribution. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Ra’ana Mahmood is transforming the landscape of geriatric care in Pakistan through her work with the Geriatric Care Foundation  (GCF). With a focus on raising public awareness, Ra’ana has launched extensive educational campaigns across media platforms and persuaded the government to host seminars on geriatric care. GCF is also organizing Pakistan’s first International Conference on Aging, bringing together global experts to address the unique challenges faced by the elderly. Through advocacy, Ra’ana pushes for elder-friendly policies, including tax exemptions, utility bill concessions, and the establishment of nursing homes and recreation centers. She has mobilized senior citizen associations to advocate for themselves and is working to create income-generating senior homes that offer shelter and care. By highlighting the value of elderly citizens, Ra’ana aims to enhance their public image and ensure they remain active, respected members of society. With GCF still in its early stages, Ra’ana’s relentless commitment continues to drive change, ensuring a better quality of life for older citizens in Pakistan. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Ralf Sange, through his organization Gründer 50 Plus, is pioneering a movement that supports individuals over 50 in becoming entrepreneurs with economically sustainable models, activating their creative potential to address social challenges. By doing so, he tackles the root of age discrimination against older entrepreneurs and challenges the general perception that people in their "Third Age" have limited contributions to offer society. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Raquel Barros leads Lua Nova, an organization revolutionizing drug rehabilitation with a holistic approach. This innovative model goes beyond addressing substance dependency, empowering women to become responsible parents, secure employment, and actively engage their communities in the recovery process. She also leads the Musas Project under Instituto Empodera, which uplifts women of all ages by uncovering their talents and fostering connections through Creative Circular Economy initiatives. Together, these efforts create supportive networks where women can thrive and reach their full potential. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Ricarda is driven by a mission to redefine work-life balance, particularly for parents, and eradicate the conflict between career advancement and family commitments. With a focus on the corporate sector, she collaborates with employers to transform the perception of maternity leave and parental care from burdens to opportunities for skill enhancement. Her groundbreaking concept, "MaaM" - Maternity as a Masters - encapsulates this transformative approach. Recognizing the undervaluation of caregiving roles in today's workplace, Riccarda founded Lifeed to elevate the significance of caregiving skills and mindset. At Lifeed, Riccarda and her team identify, quantify, and activate the additional skills cultivated through caregiving experiences, empowering individuals to leverage these skills across various contexts. By fostering self-efficacy and advocating for holistic care, Lifeed enables individuals to thrive both personally and professionally. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce and caregiving

Salina, through her organization Subarta Trust, is advancing equity in access to elderly housing and care in Bangladesh by linking the needs of high-income and low-income communities. Using an innovative cross-subsidy financial model, her network of care centers provides safe, dignified, and quality housing and care services for the elderly and disabled across different socio-economic backgrounds.Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Sara is transforming the lives of marginalized youth in Peru through her Alliance initiative, Club Alianza Lima, which leverages the country's passion for soccer to reach at-risk boys. Unlike other youth programs, Sara’s approach goes beyond sports, focusing on the holistic development of participants through education, health, and social growth. The program emphasizes academic achievement, health monitoring, and self-esteem building while offering tutoring, medical care, and life skills workshops. With the support of volunteers and professionals, Sara has created a sustainable, community-driven initiative that is poised for expansion, aiming to replicate its success across soccer clubs nationwide.Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Sérgio Serapião, through his work at Lab60+, leads a social movement that redefines aging by fostering new perspectives and accelerating initiatives that challenge the traditional “old longevity” paradigm. Lab60+ thrives on unlikely intergenerational connections and a proactive, collaborative, and positive approach. Sérgio also founded Labora, an organization dedicated to the large-scale productive inclusion of individuals over 50. By offering a reskilling platform that unlocks the potential of senior professionals and leverages technology, Labora promotes flexible and inclusive work as a measurable source of holistic well-being.Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Indonesia ranks the fourth highest in terms of internet users globally, yet with hoaxes increasingly spread through social media platforms, there are still no comprehensive measures addressing this pervasive problem. In response, Septiaji Nugroho, through his organization  MAFINDO (Masyarakat Anti Fitnah Indonesia) is building a civic resiliency movement that is open to everyone to engage against untruthful data, strengthen digital literacy, and renew trust between citizens and their government. Learn more.

• Focus: Digital Inclusion

Sheilu is transforming the landscape of senior citizen welfare in India through the Dignity Foundation, which offers a wide range of services aimed at empowering older adults. With programs like Dignity Helpline, Dignity Companionship, and Dignity Second Careers, Sheilu challenges the conventional view of aging, promoting productive aging and self-sufficiency. Her initiatives, including Dignity Homes and the Dignity Dialogue magazine, provide seniors with opportunities for social engagement, income generation, and meaningful community involvement. Through innovative partnerships and a commitment to serving all seniors, Sheilu is redefining dignity in aging and ensuring that older adults lead fulfilling, respected lives. Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Simón Parisca, through his organization Eureka Asociación Civil, is fostering social innovation in Venezuela to address critical challenges and build leadership capacity for the country's long-term development. He established an alliance with the National University of Colombia’s Faculty of Humanities and Economics to launch the first edition of the University Innovation Award, focusing on innovations in New Longevity. This initiative aims to inspire and sustain innovative approaches while cultivating leadership that can drive meaningful change in Venezuela.Learn more.

Sonia Andrade, founder of the National Coordinator of Social Movements for the Elderly in Ecuador and a member of the Latin American Network of Gerontology, has significantly influenced Elderly Law. She empowers older people to reclaim their traditional social status through legal reforms, public advocacy, and intergenerational business ventures. By fostering collaboration between young and old, Sonia bridges the generation gap, enabling mutual learning and joint solutions to common challenges such as unemployment.Learn more.

• Focus: Legal

The Good Ancestor Movement exists to disrupt the mainstream wealth advisory industry by challenging traditional ideas around the economy, excessive wealth accumulation, tax minimisation and the redistribution of resources and power in society. The GAM supports wealthy individuals, families, family offices, trusts and foundations with progressive wealth stewardship and radical redistribution.

Learn more.

In response to a growing demand for palliative care, Dr. Suresh Kumar, through the Institute of Palliative Medicine, sees the need for healthcare to go beyond standard institutions and medical facilities. He has designed a volunteer-led care system that provides an alternative to the rigid and ineffective medical institutions of the region. Dr. Kumar’s approach moves services from institutions and hospitals to neighborhoods and homes to effectively address the social, psychological, and medical dimensions of care.Learn more.

• Focus: Caregiving

Tim Carpenter, through his organization EngAGE, is redefining senior living by integrating arts, learning, and community into affordable housing for older adults. EngAGE transforms apartment communities into vibrant hubs of creativity and connection, reducing the need for higher-level care by 25% and saving millions in healthcare costs. With innovative funding strategies tied to housing tax credits, EngAGE ensures financial stability while expanding nationwide. Programs like semester-long courses, intergenerational mentoring, and the *Experience Talks* radio show celebrate the "art of active aging," empowering seniors to thrive socially, intellectually, and creatively. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Waves for Change  is at the forefront of a movement to revolutionize mental health support, led by Tim. Motivated by the alarming projections of the global mental health crisis, Tim drives the organization's mission to make mental health interventions more accessible and enjoyable for vulnerable populations. Recognizing the pressing need for culturally sensitive interventions, especially in low-middle income countries, Waves for Change has developed a powerful model that combines sport with self regulation activities. By incorporating five active ingredients into their programs, they strive to improve mental health outcomes for children and adolescents. Learn more.

• Focus: Health and Intergenerational connectedness

Tomás and his organization Diagonal are reshaping the job market for adults aged 45 and older in Argentina, tackling the deep-rooted issue of adult unemployment. Through a transformative Labor Force Reinsertion Program, Diagonal helps individuals regain their self-worth and confidence, equipping them with the tools to re-enter the workforce. By providing personalized coaching and emphasizing personal growth, Diagonal has successfully helped thousands of adults find employment or launch their own businesses. Tomás also works with businesses and universities to challenge stereotypes about older workers, promoting intergenerational practices that recognize the value of experience. Through initiatives like the online platform We Are Still Valuable, Diagonal is changing societal attitudes, ensuring that older adults are not only employed but empowered.Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce

Victor’s vision is to leverage sports as a therapeutic tool to prevent mental health issues and foster community cohesion, particularly among underprivileged children and youth. His foundation Fútbol Más turns sports fields into spaces for psychological and social development, addressing issues such as resilience, school dropout rates, impulse control, and gender equity. His patented academic approach transforms the person from within and delivers measurable long-term indicators targeting the root of these problems by involving entire communities—children, parents, teachers, and neighborhood leaders. Learn more.

• Focus: Health

Indonesia ranks second in food waste worldwide. Yet, 16.2 million people in Indonesia still face hunger, 21.6% of Indonesian toddlers are stunted, and almost half of Indonesia's elderly are at risk of malnutrition. To fight the issue, Wida, through her organization Yayasan Lumbung Pangan Indonesia (YLPI), creates a volunteer-based movement consisting of housewives, teachers, local communities and private companies to process and distribute food excess from the family and food industry to the vulnerable community. Learn more. 

• Focus Health

Travesia100 is on a transformative mission to reshape society's perception of aging, led by Ximena. Fueled by demographic shifts and a commitment to inclusivity, they champion labour inclusion for mature workers aged 55 and older, recognizing its profound benefits. Despite persistent age-related stereotypes in the workplace, Travesia 100 confronts discrimination head-on, amplifying the voices of older individuals through advocacy and the Greater Voices network. They challenge ageism in media and advertising, fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. Through initiatives like columns, public programs, and social innovation movements, Travesia 100 empowers older adults to embrace their stage of life as agents of change, providing training and tools for digitalization and beyond. Learn more.

• Focus: Workforce