News & Blog

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

RIO+20: SEED and UNDESA join forces at the Partnership Forum on 20 June 2012

Published: 15 June 2012
A Partnerships Forum will be organized at Rio+20, which will consist of highly dynamic and interactive sessions to highlight the significant contributions of partnerships to the implementation of sustainable development. SEED will participate in two sessions of the forum. Read more
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2011 SEED Gender and Equality Award winner recognised at the Rio+20 UN Women's side event

Published: 14 June 2012
Three of the 2011 SEED Winners will be showcasing their initiative as examples of innovative women-led enterprises. Read more
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Analysis of 3 year study for Policy Makers: Social and Environmental Enterprises in the Green Economy: Supporting sustainable development and poverty eradication on the ground

Published: 12 June 2012
SEED has worked closely with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) since 2007 on a programme of research to increase technical knowledge and understanding about small-scale social and environmental enterprises. Read more
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2012 SEED Symposium: The Green Economy in Africa: Climate Change and Energy, Agriculture and Food Security, and the Role of Grassroots Entrepreneurs

Published: 29 March 2012
On 29th March, SEED hosted a high-level symposium on the Green Economy in Pretoria, South Africa. Read more
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SEED Longitudinal Study, year 2: An Investigation into the Triple Bottom Line Performance of Small and Micro Social and Environmental Enterprises in Developing Countries

Published: 15 March 2012
In 2009, SEED and IISD started a three-year study of the performance of social and environmental micro enterprises. 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. Read more
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UN Announces SEED Award Winners 2011 With Focus on African Entrepreneurs

Authors: Source: UN News
A company that transforms groundnut shells into fuel briquettes in Gambia and a business in Kenya where women produce aloe-based skin care products are among this year’s winners of a United Nations-backed award recognizing projects that help promote sustainable development. Read more
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Announcement: Meet the 2011 SEED Winners!

Published: 15 December 2011
It is with great pleasure and excitement that the SEED Initiative today announces the 2011 SEED Award Winners! Read more
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2011 SEED Annual Report is out!

Published: 13 December 2011
2011 was a remarkable year for SEED, where a record number of SEED winners were awarded. Read the new Annual Report to learn about SEED's significant expansion, and how SEED offers an ever-more comprehensive package of support. Read more
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The Green Economy: SEED's activities to help accelerate the transition

Published: 16 August 2011
On 15th April 2011, nearly 200 people gathered in Pretoria to explore the role of social and environmental enterprises in shaping the Green Economy. Read more
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UN Women partners with SEED and sponsors a 2011 SEED Gender Equality Award

Published: 18 July 2011
UN Women has partnered with SEED and will sponsor one special SEED Gender Equality Award in 2011 to initiatives that are women-led or owned, and prioritise gender equality or women's empowerment as a core objective. Read more
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"The dream came true!"

Published: 18 July 2011
Oro Verde's Green Gold reaches the red carpet in Hollywood and is recognised by Greg Valerio at the launch of Fairtrade Gold Read more
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2005 SEED Winner, Blue Ventures, has real national impact

Published: 14 July 2011
Madagascar is working towards a national plan for marine turtle conservation. Read more
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SEED Symposium: The Green Economy: Accelerating the Transition

Published: 15 April 2011
Together with UNEP, SEED hosted a high-level symposium on the Green Economy in Pretoria, South Africa. Speakers and panelists from government, civil society, industry bodies, international organizations and academia will underline the importance and necessity of moving towards a greener economy. Read more
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SEED is launching its new Longitudinal Study

Published: 06 April 2011
SEED will launch the baseline report of its first Longitudinal Study at the UNEP-SEED Symposium on the Green Economy: Accelerating the Transition, which will take place in Pretoria South Africa, on 15 April 2011. Read more
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The European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik, speaks at the SEED Awards Ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by the German Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen

Published: 02 March 2011
The SEED Awards Ceremony for the seven 2010 SEED Winners from Kenya was generously hosted by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Read more
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UNEP and Hisense Sign Global Partnership for the SEED Award Supporting Innovative Entrepreneurs

Published: 16 February 2011
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Hisense International Co. Ltd. today signed a partnership at a ceremony in UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, which will work to promote and strengthen the brand profile and global positioning of the SEED Award. Read more
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SEED's Executive Director is invited to speak at the 5th Sustainability Summit and the International Business Forum in India

Published: 16 February 2011
SEED's Executive Director, Helen Marquard, took part in November in a session entitled Bottom of the Pyramid Approaches and Inclusive Growth - Innovative Business Models and Opportunities. Read more
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2009 SEED Winner, Nafore and Afrisolar Energy Kiosks, wins ERM's Low Carbon Competition

Published: 26 January 2011
The Low Carbon Enterprise Fund was established to support small “low carbon” businesses in the developing world. The fund sits within the ERM Foundation - a not-for-profit charity - and provides finance in the form of loans and equity stakes to entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Read more
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The SEED Initiative - a champion of social and environmental entrepreneurs in developing countries

Published: 19 January 2011
SEED's Executive Director, Helen Marquard, recently shared SEED's knowledge on sustainable entrepreneurship in the Digital Development Debates. Read more
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SEED Award Winners make headlines

Published: 05 January 2011
Three SEED Award Winners have been featured by other initiatives and organisations. Read more
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Behind the scenes: An interview with the SEED Jury

Published: 11 November 2010
We caught up with the jury for a little insight into the SEED Awards. Read more
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From bamboo bikes to biomass briquettes: UNEP unveils SEED Award Winners

Authors: Constance Hybsier Source: UN Environment
A novel solar device that turns waste heat into electricity in rural China, a Ugandan business that manufactures stationary from agricultural waste, a bamboo bicycle project in Ghana and a female-run business in South Africa making a hand-held laundry device that saves water are among the 30 winners of the 2010 SEED Awards, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today. Read more
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Announcement: Meet the 2010 SEED Winners!

Published: 03 November 2010
The SEED Initiative is thrilled to announce its 2010 SEED Award Winners! From bamboo bicycles to fly-fisheries, from businesswomen's collectives to inspired youth, these entrepreneurs are building a more sustainable world, starting in their own communities. Read more
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Catching up with SEED Award winners and finalists: Oro Verde

Published: 01 November 2010
The 'green' gold of 2009 SEED Award winner Oro Verde has garnered international press coverage and is currently in the process of acquiring the Fairtrade and Fairmined labels. Read more
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Special contributions from SEED affiliates

Published: 31 October 2010
The global law firm Hogan Lovells became a SEED Associatein 2008 as part of the firm's drive to broaden its pro bono practice into the area of international social entrepreneurship. Read more
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