The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has announced its 2025 awardees at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The foundation recognized 18 leaders from 15 organizations addressing urgent issues and driving positive change globally. These entrepreneurs are pioneering transformative business, social development, and environmental models to build a more equitable and sustainable world.
They are tackling health disparities from the United States to Zambia, generating income opportunities for displaced individuals, combatting deforestation in Central and West Africa, and improving the lives of vulnerable communities in India and other regions. It is a great privilege to introduce the 2025 Schwab Foundation Awardees, a remarkable group of social entrepreneurs and innovators who embody integrity, humility, and positive values in their work,” said Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship and innovation are gaining momentum worldwide, with over 10 million social enterprises creating 200 million jobs and generating $2 trillion annually.
However, these enterprises face a $1.1 trillion funding gap despite their significant economic contributions and commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.
2025 Schwab Foundation awardees announced
François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, emphasized the importance of their work, especially in a world facing instability and environmental challenges.
“We are grappling with instability, polarization, and disenfranchisement while facing extreme, unpredictable weather events and disasters. The need for bold and innovative solutions has never been more pressing,” noted Bonnici. The 18 award winners are recognized within four categories: Social Entrepreneurs, Public Social Innovators, Corporate Social Innovators, and Collective Social Innovators.
They join an existing community of nearly 500 champions who have collectively improved millions of lives since 1998. In January 2024, the Schwab Foundation’s Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship launched the Rise Ahead Pledge to unite businesses in enhancing the social economy by 2030. Over two dozen world-leading companies have signed the pledge, contributing an estimated $278 million to corporate social innovation to date.
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, from 20 to 24 January, gathers leaders from government, business, and civil society around “Building a Sustainable Future Together.” The achievements of the 2025 Awardees inspire further advancements in the vital field of social innovation.
