Traditional mentorship models are typically structured around a transfer of knowledge from a senior expert to a more junior participant. While valuable, this approach assumes that expertise flows primarily in one direction.

This collaboration between the Global Shapers Community and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is built on a different premise: that both participants are social innovators, and both possess valuable forms of expertise. Established social entrepreneurs contribute insights drawn from years of building and scaling impact, navigating institutional complexity and driving systems change. Emerging social entrepreneurs contribute perspectives rooted in contemporary realities, community-level innovation, new technologies, changing societal expectations and emerging models of leadership.

The objective is therefore not guidance, coaching or professional development in the traditional sense. Instead, the exchange creates space for:

–Mutual learning rather than one-way advice.

–Curiosity rather than hierarchy.

–Shared reflection rather than instruction.

–Collective exploration of future opportunities and challenges.

–Relationship-building between peers operating at different stages of their social innovation journeys.

Success will be measured by the quality of insights generated through dialogue and the extent to which both participants leave with new perspectives, ideas and connections.