An Investigation Into The Triple Bottom Line Performance Of Micro And Small Social And Environmental Enterprises In Developing Countries (Part I)  

SEED seeks to increase knowledge and understanding about small-scale social and environmental enterprises. In 2009, SEED and its research partner, IISD, started a three-year study into the performance of these enterprises and the findings are available in the two reports below.

Two key questions have driven the investigation:

• Is it possible to determine whether and how such enterprises are making a contribution to social, environmental and economic progress within their communities; and
• What are the enabling factors and barriers to making that contribution?

The study has been published in two parts. Part 1 presents the findings from the survey of 2011 SEED applicants and winners, noting any variations with previous cohorts. It includes:

• 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; and 
• An analysis of the 2011 SEED Winners data, compared to the full Cohort.

The full report can be read here. You can also read a summary of the research report here.