Meet Eco-Inclusive Enterprises

Innovating business models for socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable products and services.

Enterprise Brief: Generating local economy through regenerating local resources

Published: 24 August 2009
In 2008, the initiative introduced an energy efficient technology in rice mills that will generate carbon credits. In addition, it protects the environment and generates income by producing cement from recycled rice husk ash (RHA), and it turns saved rice husks into household fuel. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Innovative oyster, fish and algae aqua-farming

Published: 24 August 2009
Since 2006, the tropical multi-species aqua-farm has contributed to food security by providing sustainable supplies of organic oysters, milkfish and tilapia. More recently, they also cultivate micro-algae as livestock feed for fish. The initiative furthermore creates a local source of income and employment. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Integrated Plastics Recovery and Recycling project

Published: 24 August 2009
The initiative, established in 2009, is unique as it recycles dirty plastic containers (polythenes) using a novel technique and converts them into plastic poles. The poles are then used as fences or as other construction materials within the building sector. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: KAITE - Zimbabwe's bridge to the world

Published: 24 August 2009
Since 2007, KAITE has been training small-scale farmers to produce, process, and certify organic essential oils, herbs and spices. The 30 employees at KAITE then connect the 500 cooperating partner farmers to international fair trade markets. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: KOLCAFÉ

Published: 24 August 2009
KOLCAFÉ, initiated in 2009, aims to increase coffee yields 3 to 5 times through improved agronomic practices. It will maximise the added-value at village level through loan-financed infrastructure development. Selling directly to the international market will also improve prices. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Lighting Sri Lanka’s Future

Published: 24 August 2009
In the next 5 years, the partnership aims to convert 20,000 kerosene lanterns into solar-powered LED lighting systems. These can be used by children to study at night and aid night fishermen. The initiative employs between 5 – 10 staff. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: MakaaZingira

Published: 24 August 2009
MakaaZingira Enterprise has, since 2009, trained rural farmers to produce sustainable charcoal from fast-growing shrubs. It offers farmers an alternative to using lump wood charcoal and provides a long term solution to habitat loss. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Nafore and Afrisolar Energy Kiosks

Published: 24 August 2009
MicroSow and Afrisolar aim to fill the energy gap faced by citizens in rural areas in Burkina Faso. With many people excluded from the official power grid the initiative, through their mobile solarpowered charging stations (Nafore), offers access to sustainable electricity for mobile phones. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: One Million Rural Cisterns

Published: 24 August 2009
Since 2002, the P1MC’s aim has been to build one million cisterns to collect rain water, so providing a sustainable means of overcoming water shortages in semiarid rural areas. The cisterns will ensure that five million people will have clean,as well as good quality, water. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Oro Verde

Published: 24 August 2009
Since 2000, Oro Verde has reversed environmental degradation caused by uncontrolled mining in the Chocó Bioregion, by developing certified responsible mining practices. The partnership, consisting of two national NGOs and two grassroots organisations, also reduces social exclusion by strengthening local miners and facilitating market access for them. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Planting Empowerment

Published: 24 August 2009
Planting Empowerment (PE) has worked with rainforest communities since 2007 to create investment opportunities in sustainable forestry. This increases tropical forest conservation and promotes sustainable local governance of natural resources while contributing to climate change mitigation. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Powering the Future with SuryaHurricanes

Published: 24 August 2009
Since 2008, the partnership has provided women with solar powered lanterns and replaced the traditional kerosene lamps. Besides improving work capacity and income opportunities of the household, it also enables children to study in the evening as the light quality is much better than from kerosene lamps. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Sunny Money

Published: 24 August 2009
Sunny Money, in partnership with microfinance institutions and community-based organisations, has manufactured solar products in local facilities since 2008. The products are sold by micro-franchisees in their communities. There are currently 35 manufacturers and 200 microfranchisees in Kenya and Malawi. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Sustainable Shrimp Farming in the Gulf of Morrosquillo

Published: 24 August 2009
The initiative, established in 2006, farms and harvests shrimps by utilising a unique ecological production process. Fishermen are trained in shrimp farming which provides an alternative to marine exploitation. It also demonstrates to the worldwide shrimp industry that sustainable production is possible and economically viable. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: The Clean Energy Initiative

Published: 24 August 2009
Since 2009 the project has provided electricity for rural areas using energy generated from micro wind turbines. This also generates employment and income, and promotes entrepreneurial skills at the local level by providing capacity building trainings. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: The Sustainable Use of Amazonian Seeds

Published: 24 August 2009
The partnership, consisting of 26 employees, has fostered environmental conservation and social development since 2007. This is achieved by transferring technologies and by training the local community in Amazonian seeds. Read more
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SEED Annual Report 2009

Published: 23 August 2009
SEED 2009 Annual Report sets out our main activities and achievements for the period from May 2006 - December 2008. Read more
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2008 SEED Winner, Andaman Discoveries in Thailand, is finalist in the BBC World Challenge

Published: 07 July 2009
Each year, the BBC World News Limited organises the World Challenge. The competition aims to find projects or small businesses from around the world that have shown enterprise and innovation at a grassroots level. On the 29th of June 2009, the 12 finalists were announced and SEED is delighted that From Relief to Self Reliance (Andaman Discoveries), one of the 2008 SEED Winners, has been selected as one of these finalists. Read more
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Winners of 2009 SEED Awards Announced

Published: 12 May 2009
The winners of the 2009 SEED Awards for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Development were announced today at a high level award ceremony and reception. Twenty local initiatives from across the developing world received this year's award. Together, the winners cover a diverse range of promising business models that will tackle poverty and environmental stewardship in areas such as water and waste management, sustainable energy, recycling, and fish farming. Read more
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Sweet Success: SEED Celebrates 2008 Cameroonian Winner at Yaounde event

Published: 04 December 2008
Guiding Hope, an environmentally and socially responsible producer of apiculture products, celebrated its receipt of a 2008 SEED Award with an awards ceremony at the US Embassy in Yaounde, followed by partnership workshops, and bilateral meetings with potential supporters in Cameroon. Read more
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SEED Award Events in Salvador Recognise 2008 Brazilian Winner

Published: 28 November 2008
To celebrate the 2008 SEED Award Winner in Brazil, Pintadas Solar, a community-led partnership for water-efficient crop irrigation and bio-fuel production, SEED and the partnership held a series of events, including an awards ceremony at the Goethe Institute in Salvador, Bahia State, bilateral meetings, a site visit and a capacity building workshop. Read more
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Indian Entrepreneurs Celebrated in Delhi by German Environment Minister

Published: 19 November 2008
The 2008 SEED event held in India for 2008 Award Winner Himalayan Oregano Oil against MRSA recognised the partnership for its accomplishments in providing sustainable livelihoods. Read more
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Nicaragua's 'Solar Women' Receive 2008 SEED Award in Managua

Published: 30 October 2008
For Nicaraguan winner 'Lighting Up Hope and Communities', the 2008 SEED Awards events in Managua were an overwhelming success. The partnership received its SEED Award. Read more
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Community-based tourism in Thailand honoured by UK's Environment Secretary

Published: 23 October 2008
2008 Award Winner 'From Relief to Self Reliance', a community-based tourism initiative working in tsunami-hit villages of Thailand's North Andaman coast, met the UK's Secretary of State for Environment, Hilary Benn, to receive their Award. Read more
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Success Factors and Performance Measures for Eco-Inclusive Enterprises

Published: 12 September 2008Authors: David Boyer, Heather Creech, Leslie Paas
Eight critical success factors and fourteen performance indicators have been identified through the investigation of SEED Winners and other social and environmental entrepreneurs. Read more