SEED Library

Evidence-based insights into eco-inclusive business models and contributions to sustainable development.

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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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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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

Scale-Up and Replication of Eco-Inclusive Enterprises

Published: 12 September 2008Authors: Heather Creech
This paper explores how the international development community approaches scale-up and replication, and in particular its role in supporting start-up social and environmental enterprises with a view to expanding their business and their social and environmental impacts. Read more
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Typologies for Eco-Inclusive Partnerships

Published: 12 September 2008Authors: Heather Creech, Leslie Paas
This paper suggests that developing partnership management is one critical success factor for social and environmental entrepreneurs but is not the defining modus operandi. It presents seven other critical success factors based on empirical evidence gathered from eco-inclusive enterprises.  Read more
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Enterprise Brief: From Relief to Self-Reliance

Published: 23 August 2008
From Relief to Self Reliance has won one of five 2008 SEED Awards for its work to expand employment opportunities, strengthen local economic and cultural activity and promote sustainable resource management through community based tourism. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Guiding Hope - Upscaling Fair Trade Honey and Wax Marketing

Published: 23 August 2008
Guiding Hope has won one of five 2008 SEED Awards for its work to establish an environmentally and socially responsible, fair-yet-profitable trade in apiculture products. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Himalayan Oregano Oil and Sustainable Livelihoods against MRSA

Published: 23 August 2008
Himalayan Oregano Oil against MRSA has won one of five 2008 SEED Awards for its potential to improve health and its work to provide a sustainable source of income for herb collectors and reduce villagers’ dependency on the collection of endangered herbs, thereby contributing towards conservation of those herbs in their natural habitat. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Lighting Up Hope and Communities

Published: 23 August 2008
Lighting up Hope and Communities has won one of five 2008 SEED Awards for its work to become a model for the creation of a
financially self-sustaining business selling renewable energy products. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Pintadas Solar

Published: 23 August 2008
Pintadas Solar has won one of five 2008 SEED Awards for its work to help small farmers communities to adapt to climate change, improve local food security, mitigate their own carbon emissions, and reduce poverty by increasing income and creating local employment opportunities. Read more
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