In 2009, SEED and IISD started a three-year study of the performance of social and environmental micro enterprises, with two key questions in mind:

1. Is it possible to determine whether and how such enterprises are making a contribution to social, environmental and economic progress within their communities; and

2. What are the enabling factors and barriers to making that contribution?

The research is based on those enterprises that have applied for recognition from the SEED Initiative. The current report covers year two of the study, on Cohort 2: the applicants for the 2010 SEED Award, and presents several views of the data:

• An analysis of the full Cohort, noting any variations from Cohort 1, and with particular attention to the African respondents within the Cohort.

• A gender analysis of the full Cohort, comparing responses from women-led enterprises to those led by men.

• A focus on South African respondents, for SEED South Africa: the first national SEED programme.

• An analysis of the 2010 SEED Winners data, compared to the full Cohort.

The report shows clearly that from the data collected the majority of enterprises within the community of social and environmental entrepreneurs are changing the model of how to deliver sustainable development on the ground, through setting and working towards a combination of social, environmental and business targets and identifying a diverse range of benefits that they are delivering to their communities. The SEED winners, in particular, are demonstrating significant capacity to establish and deliver on social, environmental and business targets and indicate a level of progress beyond that of the survey group as a whole.

Based on those finding this report also provides some recommendations for policy maker at the national level as well as for international agencies and research institutions.

To view the full report and learn more about the recommendations to support social and environmental enterprises click here.