SEED Library

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

Enterprise Brief: Recycling for Environmental Recovery

Published: 31 August 2014
The enterprise will establish a plastics recycling plant to produce secondary raw materials for the plastics industry in Morocco and abroad. It seeks to improve health and safety for waste workers, particularly those involved in waste collection. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Baobab Products Mozambique

Published: 31 August 2014
Baobab Products Mozambique (BPM) creates a local value chain around Baobob fruits, buying pulp and seeds from women harvesters, before processing it into nutrient-rich powder and oils. The products are sold nationally and internationally. Read more
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The circular economy and opportunities for small businesses

Published: 28 August 2014Authors: Anais Mangin, Francesca Culcasi
Current ways of production and consumption are not sustainable, disregarding the efficient use of natural resources, the minimization of toxic materials and the emission of waste. Read more
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Early stage impact investing: a call for action

Published: 18 August 2014Authors: Anais Mangin
The exponential growth of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Africa, Asia and Latin America has contributed significantly to the burgeoning green economy. Read more
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How Women Entrepreneurs are contributing to the Green Economy

Published: 01 August 2014Authors: Anais Mangin
Particularly women are increasingly perceived to play a significant role in realising the transformation to a greener economy and poverty reduction in countries with developing economies. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Mozambikes

Published: 06 July 2014
Mozambikes assembles and sells quality bikes at affordable prices. It customises bikes with logos and colours and encourages companies and non-profit organisations to buy advertising space or branded bikes outright and distribute them to rural areas. Read more
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SEED participates in the UNEA Side Event: “UNEP, the Sustainable Development Goals and Business”

Published: 26 June 2014
SEED takes part in the UNEA Side Event: “UNEP, the Sustainable Development Goals and Business”, which is organised by the Business Green Economies Dialogue Project in partnership with The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and The International Council of Chemicals Associations (ICCA). Read more
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Making growth sustainable: co-creating solutions through social and green entrepreneurship

Published: 10 June 2014Authors: Jona Liebl
Africa has some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but many people remain excluded from the benefit of this growth with almost half of the population in sub-Saharan Africa living on less than USD1.25 per day. Read more
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Making green and social entrepreneurship work for all in the developing world

Published: 01 June 2014Authors: Amélie Heuër, Helen Marquard
With the target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaching, consultations are taking place globally to draw out insights that can contribute to the “Post-2015 Development Agenda and Framework”. Read more
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SEED celebrates the success of former SEED Award winner on International Day for Biological Diversity

Published: 21 May 2014
This year the IBD has the overarching theme Island Biodiversity, paying tribute to the fact that islands and their surrounding near-shore marine areas constitute unique ecosystems. Read more
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SEED participates in the Joint United Nations General Assembly and ECOSOC Thematic Debate/Forum on Partnerships

Published: 09 April 2014
SEED was invited to partake in the joint thematic debate/forum on partnerships, held on 09 and 10 April 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Read more
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2014 SEED South Africa Symposium: Advancing the Green Economy: creating jobs and opportunities for innovative green enterprises

Published: 20 March 2014
Over 150 participants from  government,  private  sector, media, academia,  development, and  civil  society organisations gathered at the SEED South Africa Symposium, held over 19 and 20 March 2014. Read more
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SEED South Africa Symposium 2014

Published: 20 March 2014
The green economy has taken hold in South Africa, and innovative products and services are being introduced by entrepreneurs even at the grassroots. Read more
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SEED participates in the Inaugural PAGE Global Conference to look at the Progress and Prospects for the Green Economy after Rio+20

Published: 04 March 2014
SEED will participate in the third Thematic Breakout Session ‘Social inclusion and poverty reduction’. Read more
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2014 SEED Awards Applications – Now Open Grassroots Green Entrepreneurs Can Win Business Support Package

Authors: Amélie Heuër, Mellab Shiluli Source: UN Environment
Start-up social and environmental entrepreneurs who have developed innovative products or services and are working with local communities can win a tailor-made business support package through the 2014 SEED Awards, which open for nominations today. Read more
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SEED Awards 2014 - A Call for Applications

Published: 11 February 2014
Start-up social and environmental entrepreneurs who have developed innovative products or services and are working with local communities can win a tailor-made business support package through the 2014 SEED Awards, which open for nominations today. Read more

SEED Awards 2014 - Apply by 8 April!

Published: 01 January 2014
The SEED Initiative has just launched the 2014 SEED Awards to support entrepreneurs for sustainable development. Read more

SEED Annual Report 2013

Published: 18 December 2013
Looking back, 2013 has been a particularly good year for SEED, a year marked particularly by the selection of the 34 new SEED Winners - remarkable exemplars of social and environmental entrepreneurs at the grassrootsand by growing interest internationally in the programme, but also by new partnerships to build on those that have been essential in SEED’s growth so far. Read more
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2013 SEED Winner KARIBU Solar Power featured in Forbes Africa magazine

Published: 18 November 2013
Adam Camenzuli, CEO of 2013 SEED Winner KARIBU Solar Power, is featured in an article about the great potential of Solar Power in Africa in this month's Forbes Africa.  Read more
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From Plates that Grow Food to Certified Cocoa: UN Awards Innovative Green Enterprises at Green Economy Symposium

Published: 31 October 2013
The 34 winners of the 2013 SEED Awards were announced today. Read more
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SEED Symposium and International Awards Ceremony 2013

Published: 02 October 2013
On October 31, the 2013 SEED Symposium and International Awards Ceremony took place in Nairobi in the framework of the Global South-South Development Expo (GSSD Expo) organised by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation and hosted by UNEP. Read more
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SEED Symposium & International Awards Ceremony 2013

Published: 02 October 2013
On October 31, the 2013 SEED Symposium and International Awards Ceremony took place in Nairobi in the framework of the Global South-South Development Expo (GSSD Expo) organised by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation and hosted by UNEP. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Nuru Energy

Published: 31 August 2013
Nuru Energy provides portable rechargeable lights and the first commercially available pedal power generators, giving rural communities energy for their daily activities. By introducing an affordable alternative to kerosene, the enterprise also helps reduce CO2 emissions. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Agroforestry Practices and Economic Empowerment

Published: 31 August 2013
Agroforestry Practices and Economic Empowerment targets farmers through community groups, enabling them to plant native trees, fruit tree species and various crops that are sold through the local grocery markets. While generating income for its participants, the enterprise contributes to forest conservation. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Awamu Biomass Energy Ltd.

Published: 31 August 2013
Awamu Biomass Energy Ltd. produces and distributes micro-gasifier improved cookstoves that use renewable energy from readily available dry organic waste. The enterprise is also increasing agricultural profitability and sustainability through the environmentally responsible production of fuel for the stoves. Read more
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