From Ideas to Impact

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Introduction: Harbingers of Hope

Part 1: An Eight-Step Playbook to Master Policy Entrepreneurship

1. The Visionary: Preparing the Foundation for Change

2. The Connector & The Networker: Fostering Impact with Collaboration

3. The Implementer: Driving Accountability and Follow-Through

Part 2: Success Stories of Policy Entrepreneurs

4. Advancing Access: Equal Education for All

5. Empowering A Community: Just Transition Beyond Coal

6. Building Bridges: Small but Mighty in a Warming World

7. Finding One World: Lessons in Collective Action

Conclusion: Being Part of the Solution in a World on Fire

Epilogue

Annex: Summary Eight Steps for Policy Entrepreneurship

Acknowledgments

Index

"In these challenging times when politicians are failing to provide leadership, when multilateral peace and security institutions are wrecked from within, From Ideas to Impact is timely and offers pathways to solutions, solidarity and partnership from ground up, from periphery to center."- Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

"Mick Sheldrick was with us at the beginning as we shaped the Bridgetown Initiative. In the face of unprecedented challenges, his book bridges idealism with essential pragmatism and outlines how everyone can participate urgently in the crucial task of acting today to save tomorrow. A must-read for those ready to turn solidarity into impactful action."- Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Co-Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocates

"Democracy requires committed citizens who take action and work for what they believe in... Mick has made an impact on many lives through his work combating climate change, giving more children access to education and achieving the end of extreme poverty. He has also inspired thousands of others to drive the change they seek." - Erna Solberg, former Prime Minister of Norway (2013-2021)

"I know Mick Sheldrick well as we are both members in the board of the Ban Ki-moon Centre and I admire his manifold activities in the field of sustainable development, education, and information. In addition, he is an excellent organiser. In a world testing the resilience of institutions like the United Nations, Mick Sheldrick masterfully unveils their enduring impact on our daily lives notwithstanding geopolitical tensions. With flair, he distils compelling insights, guiding readers to unearth common ground in our turbulent era. This is a book for the times, sharp and incisive."- Dr. Heinz Fischer, former President of Austria (2004-2016)

"Get ready for a must-read! Michael Sheldrick shares the story of the inspiring South African advocates who fearlessly catapulted period poverty and girls' education to the political stratosphere. This timely book serves up practical lessons for anyone seeking to make a real difference."- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former Head of UN Women

"Drawing lessons from our work together with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, this book offers actionable steps to make a difference and drive social impact. It brings the sustainable development objectives at the heart of the global community where each citizen has a role to play for the planet, prosperity and people."- Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, and Michelle Yeoh, Oscar-winning actress and UN Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador

"This book postulates bringing civility back to society through consistent, ethical action, and by appealing to our shared hopes over fears; thereby, equipping policy entrepreneurs to overcome division and create a more just world for all."- Tony Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, Executive Chair of Ascension Capital

"To create the world we owe future generations, we need to think differently and act now. And yet most people, including leaders, succumb to the prevailing sense of powerlessness and apathy. Mick's book From Ideas to Impact is a clarion call to action. He provides an easy-to-read, inspiring guide on how we can all lead change, and accelerate progress to a greener, more equitable future."- Simon Mulcahy, President, TIME

"Behind the glitz of their concerts and festivals, Mick Sheldrick and the Global Citizen community have built an impressive campaigning model based on popular engagement, strategic storytelling and coalition-building. Aspiring change-makers the world over have much learn from their example."- Mark Malloch-Brown, President of the Open Society Foundation and former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN

"Michael Sheldrick brings a new take to the struggle to move beyond no longer competitive fossil fuels and onto cheaper, cleaner renewables from the outlier in the "Anglo-Saxon" world. But his scope is far broader -- how do you make progressive policy in only partially progressive societies, where private individualism still has a deep hold? And his argument should remind us all that we need to keep tethered in the unique past that shapes every policy struggle worth fighting."- Carl Pope, senior climate advisor to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and co-author of New York Times Bestseller Climate of Hope

"Michael leads by example, inspiring everyone he meets including Prime Ministers, Presidents, philanthropists and rock stars, with his clear goals and strength of purpose. And in the book, Michael insists that what he has done others can do... At a time of global polycrisis, Michael gives us more than reasons to be hopeful; he actually tells us how to go about effecting meaningful change in our world."- Melissa Parke, former minister, Australian Government and Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

"In his new book From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World, Michael Sheldrick provides an inspiring roadmap for global citizens seeking to make an impact. Michael's book gives hope to those who are frustrated with the growing challenges faced by social entrepreneurs, urging them to master the art of policy entrepreneurship. From Ideas to Impact is a valuable guide for those ready to bridge the gap between great ideas and policy impact, inspiring action for a better collective future. - Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Nigerian investor and philanthropist

"In a world facing immense challenges, it can feel impossible to affect policy but Michael breaks things down, gives compelling examples, and empowers us all to do what we can in our own spheres of influence. He should know, he's been doing it for over 15 years as a Co-Founder of Global Citizen."- Dr. Márcia Balisciano, Director of Benjamin Franklin House and Chief Sustainability Officer, RELX

"Michael Sheldrick challenges us to go beyond the rhetoric of empty promises and the ubiquitous calls to action. From Ideas to Impact is a must-read for current and aspiring development leaders and practitioners."- Glenn Denning, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and author of Universal Food Security

"It is very rare you come across a book, which has all the hallmarks of becoming the standard reference for its industry, in this case civil society organizations. Mick Sheldrick, Co-Founder of Global Citizen, interlaces global climate politics, organizational playbook ingenuity and personal 'war story' observations in a writing style as if you were in the room. A book to cherish and an act hard to follow. "- Frank Van Gansbeke, executive scholar in residence at Middlebury College

"Coming up with ideas is easy but making an impactful difference is hard. In From Ideas to Impact, Mick Sheldrick not only provides a roadmap for the journey to transformational change, but the book also serves as an instruction manual for making it happen. As Co-founder of Global Citizen for over a decade, Mick has catalyzed civic actions and policy advocacy to bring about collective impact. In these pages he shares inspirational stories and provides examples of how to accelerate global social impact by driving systemic policy changes. I'm a better leader because of Mick's wisdom. This book allows Mick's wisdom to be shared with the world. Read. Learn. Act!"- C.D. Glin, President, PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Social Impact, PepsiCo Inc.

"Real power comes from movement building that gets citizens involved in diverse forms of personal action at massive societal scales. We grow bold leaders and lasting action from the roots. No organization has done this better than Global Citizen, and Mick Sheldrick's From Ideas to Impact shares the secret sauce behind these efforts and insightful curation of other changemaking we all can learn from."- Jad Daley, President and CEO of American Forests

"Michael Sheldrick charts a course through some of the most challenging issues of our time... He illuminates successful efforts in translating seemingly abstract concepts, such as 'just transition', into impactful policy changes that enhance people's lives and help advance social justice."- Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization

"From Ideas to Impact outlines practical steps to influence policy, emphasizing that impactful leaders are cultivated, trained, equipped, and empowered. Philanthropies can support policy entrepreneurs if they are willing to rewrite their playbook and embrace a new era of effective, sustainable change."- Dan Pallotta, entrepreneur and author of Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential

"This very timely book has practical advice for those who are distressed about the way the world is going, and want to know how to help do something about it. This book reflects knowledge and understanding of working through extraordinary achievements in international conflicts, and is a must read."- Dr Sue Boyd AM, former Australian Diplomat

"A world in which yesterday's playbook of big-tent consensus building no longer works. Thankfully, Michael draws on his deep experience and that of others to lay out how to make positive change happen. This kind of thinking is needed more than ever."- David McNair, Executive Director at ONE.org, co-founded by Bono

"Parts of the world are literally on fire, while the news media reports on political and economic elites generating more problems than solutions... From Ideas to Impact describes what has worked, what has not, and why in order to get past the cynicism that could otherwise prove ruinous. As a leading global changemaker himself, Sheldrick is exactly the right messenger for this crucial message. "- Evan Lieberman, Total Professor of Political Science and Contemporary Africa and Director of the Center for International Studies at the MIT

"This inspiring book by Mick Sheldrick reminds us not only to have faith in the power of idealism and collaboration, but also provides a super useful toolbox for civil societies across the world to achieve game-changing results in their work even as the odds are stacked against them."- Dino Patti Djalal, former Ambassador of Indonesia to the US and Founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia

"A highly readable and accessible study of the role of advocacy in bringing about fundamental change in our societies and achieving global public goods. Strategic thinkers, policy-makers, activists and philanthropists will all benefit from this lucid and practical guide to an increasingly important dimension of today's world."- David Donoghue, former Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN and Co-Facilitator of SDG 2030 Agenda

MICHAEL SHELDRICK is a policy entrepreneur and a driving force behind the advocacy efforts of Global Citizen to end extreme poverty. As a Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact, and Government Affairs Officer, he leads the organization's campaigns to mobilize support from governments, businesses, and foundations. These initiatives have reached millions of people in over 150 countries and secured over $40 billion in support for local and regional organizations working to provide access to essential resources such as healthcare, education, and climate resilience. A sought-after speaker and author on policy advocacy, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, Michael has shared his insights at conferences and summits worldwide. His insights have been featured in leading outlets including Forbes, The Guardian, The Hill, Nikkei and Fairfax Media, and his voice heard on major news networks such as ABC, BBC, CNN, France 34, and Sky News.