News & Blog

Sharing the latest insights and updates on eco-inclusive entrepreneurship globally.

BDS+ Special Focus 2: Experiences & Takeaways from BDS+ ToT workshops

Published: 20 September 2019Authors: Linde Wolters, Sonya Ong
We caught up with a number of BDS providers from Ghana to Indonesia to see how BDS providers experienced the training. What were their biggest takeaways? Read more

Building healthier communities with Khainza Energy

Published: 18 September 2019Authors: Linde Wolters, Sonya Ong
“Khainza” is a reference to a small person with high energy and ability. It is also Arthur Woniala, the founder's, mother’s maiden name. Khainza Energy is committed to providing clean, safe, and affordable cooking fuel solutions to Ugandans. We caught up with Arthur to hear how SEED Support has helped change his business & what Khainza is up to these days.  Read more
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BDS+ Special Focus 1: SEED Tools & Enterprises’ Triple Bottom Line

Published: 13 September 2019Authors: Linde Wolters
Are you a business coach or do you work for an incubator or business support organisation in Asia or Africa? Here are three reasons to focus on the social and environmental impact of the start-ups you work with. Read more
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BDS+ Training of Trainers: Special Focus

Published: 11 September 2019Authors: Linde Wolters, Sonya Ong
BDS providers offer valuable support for SMEs, often behind the scenes. In this five-part special focus blog series, we caught up with a number of BDS providers from Ghana, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Uganda. Read more
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Lighting up rural South Africa with SolarTurtle

Published: 21 June 2019Authors: Linde Wolters, Sonya Ong
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, James Van der Walt tell us how being on a ferry in Ireland and a monastery in New Zealand inspired the founding of his eco-inclusive business idea. These days, they’re busy with SANEDI working on developing Baby Turtles which would be smaller, cheaper versions of their original prototype. Read more
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From waste to wealth: the story of alternative fuel enterprise BioAfriq

Published: 20 June 2019Authors: Linde Wolters, Sonya Ong
We caught up with BioAfriq founders and SEED Starter alumni Doreen Achieng Ochieng-Ivisu and James Nyamai, the husband and wife who recently were selected to join the Kenya Acceleration Programme 2019 by CIC Kenya. Their story started when they realised the damage charcoal was doing to their country, where tree cover is at only 3%. In this catch-up, they talk about separating their private from their business life, the difficulty of changing farmer mindsets and why BioAfriq is here to stay. Read more
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Designing policy instruments to benefit green and social enterprises in Southern Africa

Published: 07 June 2019Authors: Camilla Shearman
Last month we launched our SEED Policy Prototyping Programme, a series of Policy Labs in South Africa and Malawi. Bringing together policymakers and enterprise support organisations, we explored the policy challenges facing local social & green enterprises. Using hands-on SEED 'prototyping' tools, we then develop the first concrete solutions to these challenges. Read more
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Services SETA ECDi shares outcomes of BDS Standard presentation

Authors: Source: Services SETA ECDi
Dr Tsiliso Tamasane – Services SETA and Mr Div de Villiers – SEED SA, presented the draft Discussion Paper on “Improving the Quality of Business Advisory Services (BAS) in South Africa” at the Annual SEED South Africa Symposium on 03 April 2019. The Discussion Paper was jointly issued by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), SEDA, SEED and the Services SETA ECDi. Read more
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Cool clean tech to tackle climate change

Authors: Source: Green Times
As showcased during the SEED South Africa Symposium 2019, South African entrepreneurs are taking climate change seriously: Water filters made from macadamia nut shells, a mobile solar-powered kiosk for charging phones in off-grid areas, vegetable growing systems using recycled plastic bags, and a machine that turns any type of waste into energy (gas) or diesel. Read more
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German Environment Minister Ms. Svenja Schulze visits Green the Map, SEED Award Winner (2016)

Published: 18 February 2019
German Environment Minister Ms. Svenja Schulze visited Green the Map, a local green initiative which manufactures upcycled products made from waste or organic materials, and provides environmental education for young people in New Delhi, India. Read more
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SEED-supported enterprises applauded as green economy innovators at PAGE

Published: 15 January 2019
The 2019 PAGE Ministerial Conference drew attention to "Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Economies" on 10 and 11 January 2019. By participating in the conference in Cape Town, South Africa, SEED highlighted the importance of supporting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to realising and strengthening inclusive and green economies. Read more
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Eco-inclusive enterprises get a stake in green economy agendas during GEC discussions

Published: 14 January 2019
SEED backed smaller eco-inclusive enterprises to #GetAStake in the Green Economy transition during action-oriented discussions at the Green Economy Coalition Global Meeting 2019. Read more
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Climate-smart innovation and how to adopt a polar bear

Published: 21 December 2018Authors: Kathrin Kirsch
Florian Rehm, participant from our Practitioner Lab Climate Finance in Thailand, developed the cutting-edge prototype for Last of Ours that merges digital innovation based on the blockchain, social entertainment and real-world impact for our planet’s endangered species and natural zones. Read more
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Joining forces for eco-inclusive Climate Action at COP24

Published: 19 December 2018Authors: Maggie Sloan
As global leaders joined together in Katowice to determine the future of our planet, our SEED team was present at COP24 to demand that Climate Action takes the lead of SEED-supported small and growing enterprises. Read more
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SEED exhibits innovation in Climate Action at COP24

Published: 19 December 2018
This year at COP24 in Katowice, SEED showcased the success stories of SEED-supported enterprises across sectors and urged stakeholders from private, public and social sectors to acknowledge and bolster the transformative role of entrepreneurship in combatting climate change and furthering sustainable development. Read more
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Your Eco-Inclusive Gift Inspiration INSIDE!

Published: 11 December 2018Authors: Sonya Ong
In this gift-giving holiday season, whether you are simply looking for stocking fillers or after something meaningful for a special someone, why not multiply the impact of your giving with gifts from eco-inclusive enterprises? Read more
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Small business is the heart of the green economy

Published: 03 December 2018Authors: Maggie Sloan, Marion Müller vom Berge, Sonya Ong
SEED's guest blog for the Green Economy Coalition in the lead up to the Ministerial Conference of PAGE (Partnership for Action on Green Economy) in Cape Town, South Africa, and the Green Economy Coalition's Global Meeting in January 2019. Read more
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ASA-fellow shares first highlights from supporting SEED in Malawi

Published: 25 October 2018Authors: Insa Jülich, Maggie Sloan
ASA-fellow Insa Jülich shares her experiences supporting SEED in Malawi. Read more

Heartfelt condolences on the passing of South Africa Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa

Published: 27 September 2018
The SEED Global Team and Indalo Inclusive South Africa (the hosting partner of SEED in South Africa) are deeply saddened by the passing of distinguished Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa. Read more

World Environmental Health Day 2018: Promoting Sustainable Food Production through Eco-Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Published: 26 September 2018Authors: Sonya Ong, Zaina Batool
Given the increasing importance of the provision of food sustainably and safely, this year’s World Environmental Health Day is centred around the theme “Global Food Safety and Sustainability”. Read more
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ASA-Program Intern shares her entrepreneurship ride and invites you to join in

Published: 30 August 2018Authors: Maggie Sloan, Regina Christina Andoh
Regina Christina Andoh, ASA-Program intern at SEED, shares her adventures in entrepreneurship and motivation for joining SEED in Germany and South Africa. Read more
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Seizing opportunities of eco-inclusive enterprises for a green and inclusive waste sector in South Africa

Published: 25 July 2018Authors: Christine Meyer, Insa Jülich
Do you recycle? – Good. But do you know what happens to your waste when it has been collected? Read more
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Supporting pioneering community businesses on their pathway towards a sustainable future

Published: 25 July 2018Authors: Christine Meyer, Insa Jülich
Dakeni is a small, very rural village near Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal - around 300 people live in the village. Arriving in the area, we see local women taking care of a large plant nursery. A lot of the men are working in the distant cities. Read more
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Five eco-inclusive enterprises receive prestigious SEED Low Carbon Awards

Authors: Amar Munnolimath Source: UN Environment
New York, 16 July 2018 – From a collaborative recycling WebApp enabling waste management services to users in Colombia to composters designed for urban households in India – these are few highlights of the innovative five winners of this year’s SEED Low Carbon Awards announced during the High Level Political Forum 2018 in New York. Read more
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SEED announces 2018 Low Carbon Award Winners

Published: 16 July 2018
SEED announced the SEED Low Carbon Award Winners 2018 on 16 July during a SEED side event as part of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN Headquarters in NYC. The 2018 SEED Low Carbon Award Winners innovate solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Read more
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