Social Innovation Management

• A university degree (undergraduate/Bachelor’s) 
  OR
• At least two years of practical experience (either working or volunteering) in the social sector
• Alignment with our core values: Vision, Courage, Empathy, Changemaking and a Global Mindset

Diversity

Diversity is one of the foundations of the Amani experience. The vastly different backgrounds of our Fellows are critical to the program, which thrives on the stories and perspectives they bring with them.

While we look for diversity in terms of personal and professional backgrounds, all of our Fellows go through a competitive selection process and share the Amani values.

Acquire solid work experience in one of the most exciting global hubs of social innovation.

During the program, you will be able to practice what you are learning in the following two ways:

In your social innovation project, you will develop a new idea to address a social problem or opportunity that you personally care about. Through our innovation methodology, we will guide you through a structured process for generating creative ideas. You will prototype a new idea for social change and see how the world reacts.

READ ABOUT JON’S EXPERIENCE WITH HIS INNOVATION PROJECT

Roughly 25% of each class are aspiring or current social entrepreneurs looking to build their skills to lead an organization. We welcome social entrepreneurs into the program and provide support to rapidly develop and/or scale their ideas.

OR

Gaining relevant work experience via an apprenticeship is a key pillar of the program for those looking to better understand the social sector. We will place you in a host organization that is working in a field you care about, and in which you will experience first-hand the immense challenges and possibilities inherent in making social impact. You will work a minimum of 24 hours a week throughout the 4 months of the Immersion Phase.

SEE PAST EXAMPLES OF APPRENTICESHIP HOSTS

Gain cutting-edge 21st century professional skills from global experts.

You will take part in 10 courses and workshops designed to develop professional skills in high demand by leading employers. These courses are run by master global practitioners at the top of their fields who are practicing daily the skills they will teach. Past faculty have included – among others – a Nobel Peace laureate, the former director of leadership development at McKinsey, a Hollywood producer, leading impact investors, and foundation directors.

GET TO KNOW OUR FACULTY

The Faculty varies in each program and location. Yet, regardless of the country in which Fellows do the program, they will learn the same professional skills courses about the core skills needed to create effective change. The courses provide practical tools and methods to help you master the topics – in total you will learn more than 70 new tools/frameworks that you can apply immediately in your work.

The 10 Courses:

1. The Practice of Social Innovation
2. The Inner Journey of the Changemaker
3. Introduction to Changemaking
4. Bio-Empathy: Learning from Nature
5. Turning an Idea into a Program or Venture
6. Storytelling for Change
7. Managing Social Impact Organizations
8. Leading Purpose-Driven Teams
9. Measuring Social Impact
10.  One Surprise Course in each Location

The courses are so practical. Each week I find myself applying what I learnt the previous week into my current job.” NATALIE LUKKENAER (Netherlands), Kenya Class 4.

Examples of past classes have included:

The schedule for the courses will be made available prior to your arrival in Nairobi, Bengaluru, or São Paulo. 

Read more about our approach to building skills for the 21st century.

Each course will have a syllabus, reading list and set of exercises and activities to complete both inside and outside the classroom. In addition, several guest speakers from around the world will participate in the courses, sharing their work and wisdom with you.

See some of our past guest speakers

Align who you are with the work you want to do, and prepare for the road ahead.

One of the most distinctive elements of this program is our focus on you, the individual embarking on a wonderful new chapter in life. Throughout the program, you will understand your own leadership path and how to grow along with your work. 

Personal Leadership Development

Our signature personal leadership development curriculum, called The Inner Journey of the Changemaker, is a unique component of the program relative to other educational institutions. The course will feature many tools and practices of self-development as well as many guest speakers from around the world to help you align your passions and purpose, and understand how to manage yourself in a demanding field of work. Several past Fellows have called this course their highlight of the program. 

Field Visits

The program also includes two multi-day field trips to beautiful parts of the country, site visits, and local field experiences through which you get the chance to dive deeper into the local realities of India, Kenya, or Brazil.

Mentorship and Networking

You will also learn how to find and develop a mentor, and build lasting professional networks of support.

Peer Coaching

Learning how to coach others is an important professional skill. You will be assigned peer coaches to help you work on your progression as a changemaker. Likewise, you will also serve as a peer coach to other students.

While in the Immersion stage, you will also have regular meetings with Amani staff to assess your progress and ensure you are continually learning and growing.