Changemaker vs Activist: What’s the Difference?
024. In the world of social change, terms like "changemaker" and "activist" are often used interchangeably...
While both ‘activists’ and ‘changemakers’ work towards positive transformation, their approaches, strategies, and roles within the broader social change ecosystem can be quite distinct. Understanding these differences can help individuals identify where they fit best in the movement towards a more just and equitable world.
The Origins of the Term "Changemaker"
The term "changemaker" has gained popularity in recent years, particularly through organisations like Ashoka, which pioneered the concept of social entrepreneurship. A changemaker is someone who actively works to create innovative solutions to social problems. Unlike traditional activists who often focus on protesting, advocacy, or policy reform, changemakers can take on a variety of roles that include social innovation, entrepreneurship, and community organising.
What Defines an Activist?
Activists are individuals who take direct action to bring about social or political change. Their work often involves raising awareness, challenging injustices, and putting pressure on decision-makers through protests, campaigns, and lobbying. Activism has been a driving force behind major social movements, from civil rights to climate justice, and remains a crucial pillar in driving systemic change.
Different Types of Changemakers
At the Humanitarian Changemakers Network, we define changemakers broadly, recognising that not all changemakers are activists, but most activists fall under the umbrella term of a changemaker. Here are some examples of different types of changemakers:
Activists – Engage in direct action, protests, and advocacy to push for systemic change.
Advocates – Use their voices to influence policy, educate the public, and promote legislative change.
Community Organisers – Work within communities to mobilise people, build collective power, and create grassroots change.
Social Entrepreneurs – Develop innovative business models and enterprises that address social challenges.
Legal Changemakers – Lawyers and legal professionals who use the law to fight for justice and protect rights.
Educators & Storytellers – Spread awareness and inspire change through education, media, and storytelling.
The Social Change Ecosystem
No single approach is superior; rather, changemakers and activists function within a larger ecosystem where each role complements the others. For example, while an activist might lead a protest against environmental degradation, a social entrepreneur may create sustainable solutions, and a legal changemaker might work on environmental policies.
By understanding these different roles, individuals can better align their skills, passions, and resources with the most effective methods for change. Whether you’re organising rallies, starting a social enterprise, or using storytelling to shift narratives, your work contributes to a larger movement for justice and equity.
To understand the different pathways through which change occurs, it is useful to consider the Social Change 101 framework, which categorises change efforts into four key areas:
Changing Mindsets & Cultures – This focuses on shifting public perceptions, beliefs, and cultural narratives. It includes work in media, storytelling, education, and consciousness-raising to challenge dominant ideologies and promote new ways of thinking.
Changing Policies & Laws – This involves legal and political advocacy, working to influence laws, regulations, and institutional policies that shape social systems. Activists often operate in this space, leveraging protests, lobbying, and legal reform efforts.
Changing Behaviours & Practices – This level targets individual and organisational behaviours, encouraging changes in consumption, social norms, or professional practices. Initiatives may include ethical business practices, sustainable living campaigns, and workplace diversity programs.
Changing Systems & Structures – This focuses on building new paradigms, institutions, or economic models that address systemic issues at their root. Social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and changemakers work at this level to create alternative solutions that redefine how society operates.
Understanding these categories can help individuals and organisations align their efforts with where they can be most effective. Some focus on advocacy (changing policies), while others develop new models (changing systems), and many integrate multiple approaches to create holistic impact.