SEED in collaboration with ANDE Network hosts a workshop on finance for social and green enterprises at Sankalp Africa Summit
Published: 10 February 2015
SEED in collaboration with ANDE network organised the “start-up hacks” as part of the Sankalp Africa Summit that took place on 5-6 February 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. Innovative and inclusive financing was one of the key topics of this year’s forum. Read more
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How to improve support to social and environmental enterprises in Mozambique?
Published: 16 January 2015 Rainer Agster
Since the end of the civil war in 1992 Mozambique has experienced impressive growth rates of 6-8 per cent; embodying the new optimism regarding Africa’s economic outlook. Read more
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Small meets big: How partnering with large corporations can scale impact of sustainable entrepreneurs
Published: 23 December 2014 Anais Mangin, Helen Marquard
Are locally-driven social and environmental enterprises too small to have an impact? We at SEED don’t think so, and Organic Africa demonstrates that. In 2007, when everyone was leaving Zimbabwe due to political and economic turmoil, Dominikus Collenberg started to train smallholders in the organic production of herbs, spices and oils. Read more
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SEED Annual Report 2014
Published: 17 December 2014 Amélie Heuër, Anais Mangin, Helen Marquard, Jona Liebl, Mirko Zürker, Rainer Agster
2014 was truly exceptional; a year where SEED recognised over forty new SEED Winners - remarkable enterprises that generate grassroots eco-solutions at the grassroots. This and more great SEED achievements in our annual report. Read more
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SEED Africa Symposium 2014: Making Growth Sustainable. Co-creating Solutions
Published: 03 December 2014
On September 10th and 11th, the SEED Africa Symposium 2014 convened at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. 320 representatives from business, government, academia, support institutions and civil society from 30 different countries attended. 'Making Growth Sustainable: Co-creating Solutions through Social and Green Entrepreneurship' was the theme of the event. Participants were invited to Explore, Enable and Engage with each other to find ways of building effective ecosystems for green and social enterprises in Africa. Read more
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Social and Green Enterprises – How to Create Enabling Frameworks to Increase their Contribution to Sustainable Development?
Published: 04 November 2014 Amélie Heuër
Over the last four years, SEED has hosted a series of unique multi-stakeholder for a focussed on the Green Economy and Africa - the SEED Symposia - where each year innovative and promising start-up enterprises, that won a SEED Award for their remarkable efforts to address social and environmental challenges at the grassroots, are presented. Read more
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Creating an enabling environment for social and environmental entrepreneurship in Malawi
Published: 29 September 2014 Mirko Zürker, Rainer Agster
As one of the poorest countries in the world, Malawi is characterised by a largely rural population; 84 per cent of Malawi’s population lives outside cities and depends on agriculture as their primary source of income. Read more
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From Mobile Solar Computer Classrooms to Novel Baobab Products: Green Entrepreneurship is Thriving Across Africa and Beyond
Published: 10 September 2014
Nairobi plays host to one of the largest gatherings of start-up social and environmental enterprises ever, as 41 green entrepreneurs are celebrated at the 2014 SEED Awards Africa Symposium. Read more
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Bringing mobility to Mozambique’s poorest
Published: 10 September 2014 Jona Liebl
‘Teach a man how to fish‘ or, as in this case, ‘ride a bike’, espouses the core aim of the founders of a social and green enterprise that is intent on improving the living standards of rural Mozambicans. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Piratas do Pau Upcycling Centre
Published: 05 September 2014
Piratas do Pau (PdP) Upcycling Training Centre trains and employs young Mozambicans in the design and production of modern furniture made from 90% reclaimed materials. The products are sold locally through a distribution network. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Pro-Sofala Verde
Published: 05 September 2014
Pro-Sofala Verde (PSV) has established a co-operative that generates income and jobs for rural Mozambicans through the sustainable production of high-grade honey and reforestation. Honey will be sold in one-portion packages at affordable prices. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Women’s Off-season Vegetable Production Group
Published: 05 September 2014
The enterprise uses agricultural techniques, notably poly-tunnels and greenhouses, to grow and market organic vegetables in a climate where weather usually limits year-round production. The aim is to improve food security and nutrition while empowering marginalised women through job creation. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: All Women Recycling
Published: 05 September 2014
All Women Recycling turns discarded plastic bottles into unique gift boxes, called kliketyklikboxes, which are sold internationally. The enterprise provides employment opportunities for young women, street waste collectors and others; it also strengthens societal environmental awareness and contributes to cleaner townships. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Botanica Natural Products
Published: 05 September 2014
Botanica Natural Products has developed a method of extracting the beneficial substances of the Bulbine Frutescens plant which are used in the cosmetic industry. The plant is cultivated and processed organically in its indigenous location in rural Limpopo. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: greenABLE
Published: 05 September 2014
greenABLE has found an innovative solution for recycling empty printer cartridges. It provides income-generating opportunities for previously disadvantaged and unemployed persons with disabilities in the waste recycling industry and supports its employees with education and training programmes. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Growing the Future
Published: 05 September 2014
Growing The Future is an entrepreneurial programme promoting organic, sustainable and innovative food production in South African households. The programme combats food insecurity, promotes dietary variety, reduces household poverty and supports economic opportunities for the unemployed. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Khoelife Organic Soap and Oils Primary Co-operative
Published: 05 September 2014
Khoelife Organic Soap and Oils Co-operative markets organic soaps and oils. Through training and a microloans system, its members are enabled to become independent women entrepreneurs. Khoelife Manufacturing, the producer, uses traditional labour-intensive methods, certified organic ingredients and renewable energy. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Waste to Food
Published: 05 September 2014
Waste to Food (W2F) provides an alternative to the disposal of organic waste in landfills. A combination of two technologies offers a commercially profitable and scalable processing system for recycling food waste into high-quality compost. The franchise model fosters enterprise development. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Arusha Women Entrepreneur
Published: 05 September 2014
Waste to Food (W2F) provides an alternative to the disposal of organic waste in landfills. A combination of two technologies offers a commercially profitable and scalable processing system for recycling food waste into high-quality compost. The franchise model fosters enterprise development. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: L’s Solution Ltd.
Published: 05 September 2014
L’s Solution Ltd. is a social enterprise that provides rural communities in Northern Tanzania with efficient and clean solar and cooking technologies. The enterprise imports, markets, sells and installs power systems, pumps and industrial installations to households and larger local organisations. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Mesula - Meru Sustainable Land Ltd.
Published: 05 September 2014
Mesula – Meru Sustainable Land supports small entrepreneurs in developing the capacity to farm sustainably and trade the produce at a fair market price. Mesula creates a new value chain from producers to consumers sensitive to the risks of unregulated conventional farming. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Village Inc. Africa
Published: 05 September 2014
Village Inc. Africa invests “macrocredits” – low-interest loans – and expertise in Village Companies (VCs) which generate social impact within their communities, such as education and healthcare, through for-profi t businesses. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Appropriate Energy-saving Technologies Ltd.
Published: 05 September 2014
The enterprise sells and distributes biomass charcoal briquettes and cook stoves in Teso region, Uganda. Formed to help address local deforestation and environmental degradation, the staff put emphasis on partnering with local groups to provide the region with clean, sustainable cooking fuel. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Wana Energy Solutions
Published: 05 September 2014
Bringing gas nearer to people, undertaken by WANA Energy Solutions, markets and sells LPG. The company focuses on finding financial solutions for those who struggle to afford clean energy - offering hire-purchases, creating pay-as-you-go community kitchens and allowing rural customers to pay for gas with produce. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: BUWOBE
Published: 05 September 2014
BUWOBE is a co-operative beekeeping enterprise producing honey and beeswax products. In mobilising women in the Masindi region to become beekeepers, the enterprise uses the honey business as a vehicle for community development, including promotion of sustainable land use and climate change adaptation. Read more
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