Catalyst Now
Catalyst Now is a dynamic global movement of social innovators transforming systems and driving sustainable change to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals worldwide. It creates collaborative spaces where innovators, entrepreneurs, funders, corporations, academia, governments, and civic leaders connect, co-create, and contribute to transformational change, placing people, nature, and equity at its core. The mission is realized through learning, collaborative action, network-building, and impact measurement, propelling systemic solutions that enable thriving communities everywhere.
Theory of Change
Inputs
Global membership of innovators, organizations, and funders
Digital platforms, learning content, and coordination infrastructure
Partner networks (including Skoll Foundation, Ashoka, Schwab Foundation)
Secretariat staff, chapter leaders, and expert facilitators
Collaborative culture rooted in shared values
Activities
Enabling collaboration, community building, and peer learning
Launching and growing local/regional chapters and thematic collaborations
Delivering events, training, and co-creation labs
Documenting, measuring, and sharing social impact
Facilitating cross-sector partnerships and scaling
Leadership and value co-creation by Global South members
Outputs
Global network spanning 156 countries
100+ local chapters, 8 regional chapters, 6,170+ individual members
75+ active collaborations and 66 learning sessions/year
3,495+ learning participants
Annual and community impact reports highlighting outcomes
Outcomes
Accelerated systemic change across SDGs via effective collaboration
Stronger, more equitable social innovation ecosystems
Global South leadership and ownership in SDG achievement
Actionable knowledge for global replication and scaling
Heightened collective impact and social justice globally
Programs
1. Catalyzing Change Week
The world’s largest virtual gathering for social innovators to exchange breakthrough ideas, learn, and build collaborations for systems change. The event features 145+ sessions, 470 speakers, and reaches 5,100+ participants from over 118 countries, advancing collective impact on issues like climate, health, education, and equality.
Global network of partners and social innovators
Funding from member and partner organizations
Digital platforms and technical infrastructure
Curated learning content (multilingual)
Event logistics and facilitation by dedicated staff
Organizing a 6-day, multi-lingual online and hybrid event
Curating sessions and thematic tracks (climate, health, AI, education, etc.)
Facilitating dialogue, networking, and knowledge exchange
Launching new initiatives, research, and chapters during the event
145 sessions delivered in 9 languages
470 speakers and thought leaders engaged
Participation of 5,100+ social innovators from 118 countries
More than 10 new projects/initiatives launched
Strengthened cross-sector collaboration and ecosystem development
New knowledge, solutions, and partnerships addressing SDGs
Expanded Catalyst Now global membership and regional representation
Accelerated systemic change and increased inclusion in social innovation
2. Regional and Local Chapters Program
A global network of more than 100 local chapters and 8 regional chapters supporting social innovators and entrepreneurs to address localized systemic challenges and amplify grassroots impact.
Member organizations and engaged individuals
Training and knowledge resources from Catalyst Now
Ongoing support and facilitation from regional and local coordinators
Chapter handbooks and best practice toolkits
Establishing and growing local and regional chapters
Facilitating regular chapter meetings, peer-to-peer exchange, and co-design of solutions
Equipping members with capacity-building resources and systems leadership training
102 local chapters in diverse countries
8 active regional chapters, 75% in the Global South
Hundreds of convenings for local innovators and changemakers
Toolkit distribution and handbook adoption for chapters
Regional and local ecosystems empowered for systemic change
Amplified leadership and project ownership in the Global South
Greater innovation rooted in local needs and collective priorities
Broadened implementation of SDG-aligned solutions
3. Collaboration Initiatives & Co-labs
Over 75 live collaborations, including member-driven initiatives and open co-design labs, that unite change agents to create solutions for SDGs such as climate action, equity, health, technology, youth development, agriculture, and more. Over 60% of collaborations are led by Global South members.
Catalyst Now’s global membership (organizations and individuals)
Cross-sectoral knowledge and resources
Digital tools/platforms for collaboration
Facilitator expertise and partnerships
Funding (varies by initiative)
Launching and supporting systemic change collaborations
Conducting workshops, training, and open-source solution sprints
Scaling and replicating impactful approaches across regions and topics
75+ active collaboration projects
320+ companies and partners engaged
Numerous workshops, sprints, and peer-learning events
Platform for submission and joining of collaborations
Systems-based solutions created and scaled in diverse SDG domains
Elevated Global South leadership in social innovation
Measurable progress on SDG targets through multi-stakeholder action
Growing trust, knowledge sharing, and institutional alliances
4. Learning and Capacity Building Program
Comprehensive learning series, peer-to-peer exchanges, and multilingual training resources accelerate skill development in collaboration, systems thinking, and social entrepreneurship for global changemakers.
Speakers and experts (internal & external)
Learning session content (multilingual)
Digital learning platforms
Active participation from global members
Design and delivery of 60+ learning sessions annually
Facilitating peer exchanges, webinars, and skill workshops
Multi-channel content distribution (YouTube, Medium, etc.)
Learning sessions reaching 3,495+ participants
Knowledge products and toolkits released in 5+ languages
Expert network of speakers and session leaders developed
Enhanced capacity of thousands of social innovators
Knowledge dissemination supports effective ecosystem building
Global members equipped to drive systems change initiatives
5. Impact and Community Reporting
Annual Impact Reports and ongoing Community Reports document stories, quantitative impact, case studies, and best practices from Catalyst Now’s projects worldwide. These inform strategy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Member-contributed stories and data
Data analysis and synthesis from program teams
Collaborative reporting platforms
Collecting, validating, and aggregating impact data
Publishing annual and thematic reports (global, regional, and project-level)
Sharing learnings and impact through public channels
Annual Impact Report, Community Reports (covering 100+ programs)
Case studies, best practice guides shared online
Transparent measurement of systems change and SDG progress
Global sharing of lessons learned and success models
Informed strategy for future collaborations
Other Information
Core Values
People and nature at the center – stewardship and accountability to all communities and ecosystems
Co-creative mindset – humility, openness, and non-proprietary creation
Collaborative leadership – shared ownership, distributed agency, and valuing all voices
Humble audacity – bold goals pursued with humility and collective wisdom
Spirit of generosity – sharing knowledge, time, resources, and credit
Scale
6,170+ individual members
4,250+ organizations involved
102 local chapters, 8 regional chapters, 156 countries represented
75+ active collaborations
66+ learning sessions, and 3,495+ learning participants per year
89% member satisfaction
66% of collaborations led by Global South members
Affected Users
Social innovators, social entrepreneurs, and changemakers globally
Members of local and regional chapters in 156 countries
Community leaders, NGOs, and ecosystem partners focused on SDGs
Vulnerable and underrepresented communities reached via collaborations
Youth, women, and marginalized groups empowered through thematic initiatives
Geographical Areas
Global: 156 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, MENA, Oceania, Caribbean, Central Asia, and beyond
Regional chapters (Africa, ASEAN, Caribbean, Central Asia, Europe, Latin America, MENA, Oceania)
Local chapters in Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, and over 90 other countries
Contact Info
To
Raizada - [email protected]
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