OGP CEO Receives Social Innovator of the Year Award

• OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan has received the 2022 Social Innovator of the Year Award by the Schwab Foundation at the World Economic Forum Davos Agenda
• The Social Innovators Award has been given to 15 mission-driven leaders who are tackling the world’s toughest problems, from social inequality, youth unemployment, malnutrition and accessible health care.
• Pradhan received the award in recognition of being a “tireless champion of good governance and fighting corruption,” leading the 78-country Open Government Partnership (OGP) and earlier at the World Bank.

Geneva, 18 January 2022 – Today OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan has been awarded Social Innovator of the Year 2022 by The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda 2022.

Pradhan received the award for being “a tireless champion of good governance and fighting corruption” through his multiple roles.  As OGP CEO, Pradhan has been leading the partnership of 78 countries, local governments and thousands of civil society organizations since 2016. Together, this unique coalition of reformers in and out of government work to make governments more open and less corrupt. Previously at the World Bank, Pradhan led strategy for better governance, social accountability and the fight against corruption, and championed opening the Bank’s vault of open data to the public.

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship honours fifteen global Social Innovators of 2022 including a Brazilian entrepreneur using hip-hop to turn Favela youth away from crime, a Dutch nurse revolutionising home healthcare and a park ranger turned tech founder using Minecraft to revive Australia’s indigenous culture. Pradhan is one of two recipients in the Public Social Intrapreneur category.  He was recognized for supporting transformation in public sector reform and governance.

“The Social Innovators of the Year 2022 represent a new ecosystem of leaders who are driving change and shifting organizations and systems towards a more just, inclusive, sustainable future” said Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

The awardees were selected by Schwab Foundation Board members, including Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Prime Minister of Denmark (2011-2015), and social innovation expert Johanna Mair, Professor of Organization, Strategy and Leadership at the Hertie School of Governance in Germany, and H.M. Queen Mathilde of Belgium (Honorary Board Member), in recognition of their innovative approach and potential for global impact. 

“I am honoured to accept the Schwab Foundation Award on behalf of the many courageous reformers and activists – and our amazing team that supports them –  working  across OGP to make governments more more open and less corrupt.  At a time when citizen trust in governments has plummeted and authoritarianism is on the rise, these brave reformers are renewing democracy, building trust and forging a  countervailing force against the rise of authoritarianism.” said Sanjay Pradhan, OGP CEO. 

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship was founded in 1998 by Hilde and Klaus Schwab. Known as the sister organization of the World Economic Forum, the Schwab Foundation is a leading global platform that accelerates outstanding models of social innovation.

To watch the awards ceremony and panel with Sanjay Pradhan, click here.

To read the Schwab Foundation press release, click here.