The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship announced its 2025 awardees at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The 18 social entrepreneurs and innovators from 15 organizations across 13 countries were recognized for their groundbreaking solutions addressing urgent global issues. Among the recipients are Akshay Saxena, Co-Founder of Avanti Fellows, a non-profit that aims to provide equitable access to India’s top science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) colleges, and Ved Arya, Director of the Buddha Institute and National Convener of the Responsible Coalition for Resilient Communities (RCRC).
The RCRC is a collective of 98 grassroots civil society organizations across 15 states in India, formed during the Covid-19 pandemic to address its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. The awardees are addressing health disparities in the United States and Zambia, creating income opportunities for displaced individuals, combatting deforestation in Central and West Africa, and improving the lives of vulnerable communities in India, among other achievements. 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.
2025 schwab Foundation award recipients
Their extraordinary achievements reflect the broader community dedicated to fighting social inequalities and preserving natural ecosystems.
François Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, highlighted the critical role of social entrepreneurs amid global challenges. The work of social entrepreneurs and innovators is not just important; it is essential,” said Bonnici.
“Our world is 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.”
The 2025 Schwab Foundation Award winners include social entrepreneurs, public social innovators, corporate social innovators, and collective social innovators. They join nearly 500 champions whose collective work has improved millions of lives since 1998, driving systemic change worldwide.
For 27 years, the Schwab Foundation has united leading social entrepreneurs and innovators from diverse sectors. For more information on the 2025 Schwab Foundation Awards and its community of social entrepreneurs, visit the World Economic Forum website.
