This World Entrepreneurs’ Day, we shine a spotlight on the innovators driving social change through practical action. This article explores how co2online, with the support of Ashoka and the Candriam Institute, is empowering communities to take climate action - starting at home.
Supporting renovation, education, and empowerment
In late 2023, the Candriam Institute for Sustainable Development partnered with Ashoka to further social entrepreneurship for a more sustainable future. One of Ashoka’s fellows, the German association co2online, a German non-profit dedicated to helping homeowners make climate-friendly energy decisions, is helping those homeowners to ‘see the light’ by reducing their energy inputs, according to CEO, Tanja Loitz.
Their latest initiative, VierWende, provides hands-on support for major renovations, upgrading heating systems, installing solar panels, and adopting heat pumps. Their aim? To help Germany reach its climate neutrality goal for buildings by 2045.
Our mission is to provide free help for saving energy in the home. The building stock in Germany must become climate-neutral by 2045 in order to achieve our climate protection targets.
The Ashoka Network: Fuel for innovation
Ashoka has been instrumental in helping co2online scale its impact. Originally founded by Dr. Johannes D. Hengstenberg in 2007, the initiative has grown under the leadership of Loitz.
Ashoka offers coaching, financial support, and access to a global network of changemakers - resources that are vital for fostering long-term, systemic solutions.
On a day-to-day basis, Ashoka helps co2online maintain a strong focus on impact, supporting them in conveying the effectiveness of their work and coaching others to build a life-long learning community. Ashoka also facilitates connections with other social enterprises, shares expertise from its own network, and assists in identifying potential financing for new approaches./p>
How does Candriam fit in?
With the support of the Candriam Institute, co2online aims to reach even more households. Our shared commitment to social entrepreneurship and environmental action is not only helping reduce emissions but also nurturing a learning community of empowered homeowners. As they modernise their homes, participants are encouraged to share their knowledge - multiplying the project’s impact.
Together with Ashoka and co2online, we’re proud to support bold ideas that build a sustainable future from the ground up - one household at a time.
What is social entrepreneurship?
Social entrepreneurship encompasses activities aimed at discovering, defining and exploiting opportunities to enrich societal well-being through innovative ventures or the innovative management of existing organisations. Simply put, it involves creating, supporting or implementing innovative solutions to address entrenched global problems.