IGNITING COLLABORATIONS FOR CHANGE-MAKERS
GLOBALLY & LOCALLY
“Catalyst Co-Labs was like turning coals to fire. I reached people I otherwise wouldn’t have had access to and was able to take a risk … to attempt a systemic change with a team through collaboration.”
Poonam Bir Kasturi on aiming to solve the plastic bag waste problem in India
WE’RE HERE TO IGNITE SOLUTIONS
Catalyst Co-Labs brings social entrepreneurs together with practitioners and experts from around the world for inclusive and collaborative co-design activities so they can expand their impact.
Established in 2020, we were incubated at Catalyst Now, a global network founded by Ashoka, Skoll, Schwab, and Echoing Green.
Since our inception, we have facilitated Co-Labs across five continents, creating spaces where diverse stakeholders—from grassroots innovators to seasoned policymakers—can engage in open dialogue and test solutions in real time, both online and in person. This approach fosters not only innovation but also trust, enabling ideas and solutions to be shaped by the people most affected by them.
Our model centers on bridging sectors and geographies to address complex social challenges. By leveraging both local wisdom and global experience, we ensure that the outcomes of our co-labs are grounded and sustainable - and always open to be shared.
CONVENE
SPARK
COLLABORATE
Our lean process sparks connections and solutions
The Co-Labs process starts with defining a new “Host” challenge. We then engage hand picked experts and peers around the challenge and facilitate a rapid series of global co-creation sessions for the “Host”, designed to build trust, connections and hopefully, joint solutions.
We engage diverse voices and perspectives
Solving social challenges requires diverse perspectives. We engage experts in our sessions by leveraging the reach of global social innovation networks from Catalyst 2030, Ashoka, Echoing Green, Schwab, Skoll and more.
We unleash collaborations & impact
Following the sessions, our Co-lab Hosts use their newfound relationships and insights to solve their challenge and accelerate their progress towards positive change. The fresh collaborations lead to the sharing of ideas and practices, often resulting in new projects. All solutions are open sourced.
TESTIMONIES
DR. WAMUYU MAHINDA - FOUNDER OF COLLABORATIVE VALUE PARTNERS AFRICA
Co-lab Host on the challenge to measure the joint effect of social entrepreneurs across several African countries.
“After the rich discussions during the Co-lab, I realized we need to focus on Social Investment ROI to measure our progress and impact. We gained the ideas and resources to build the system we are aiming for.”
POONAM BIR KASTURI - FOUNDER OF DAILY DUMP AND DESH KA BAG
Co-Lab Host on the challenge of solving the plastic bag waste problem in India.
“Co-Labs was like turning coals to fire. I reached people I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to access and was able to take a risk … to attempt a systemic change with a team through collaboration.”
