Waste Management

When managed effectively, waste is a valuable resource. From waste reduction to collection, recycling and upcycling, SEED-supported enterprises in the waste management sector have innovated closed-loop business models that gather and repurpose materials. These enterprises minimise environmental pollution and health risks associated with waste accumulation and mismanagement through their products and services. These eco-inclusive enterprises offer mobile waste collection services, building materials and furniture from reclaimed sources, organic fertilisers and more.

Spotlight on SEED Award Winners: The BIMG Beacon Projects Report 2024 showcases SEED Award Winner and Runner-up Enterprises

Published: 29 February 2024Authors: Daniela Tonelli
The BIMG Beacon Projects Report 2024 highlights the pioneering efforts of SEED Award Winner and Runner-up Enterprises in tackling environmental and social challenges while driving business innovation. From Zambia's forest-conserving honey production to Indonesia's mycelium-based leather substitute, these enterprises exemplify the transformative power of sustainable business models in addressing global issues. Read more

SEED: 2023 Highlights

Published: 20 December 2023
We have been hard at work supporting SMEs and promoting their crucial role in advancing sustainable and eco-friendly future, as well as fostering the transition to a circular economy. We are delighted to share some of our most meaningful achievements and activities, as we reflect on the passing year. Read more

SEED at COP28: Advocating for the role of SMEs

Published: 19 December 2023
SEED has been very active at COP28, organising 3 events, co-organising a 4th one, and contributing as to the panel of 4 other events. All had a common aim: advocating for the pivotal role of SMEs as gamechangers in the transition to circular and low-carbon economies. Read more
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Qubix Robotics: Pioneering Sustainable Innovation in Malawi

Published: 20 November 2023
Qubix Robotics, 2023 SEED Climate Adaptation Award runner-up and a ground-breaking start-up in Malawi, is making waves by bringing together technology, environmental sustainability, social inclusivity, and education in a remarkable way. The company is committed to delivering unique and sustainable manufacturing solutions, setting itself apart as the first environmentally friendly and socially inclusive start-up in Malawi to start developing digital manufacturing machines locally. Read more

Successful Eco-Inclusive SMEs from Ghana and Thailand Share Their SEED-Supported Journey

Published: 30 August 2023
At SEED, we strongly believe in the potential of local green SMEs and that their success can serve as a cornerstone for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards a more eco-inclusive future. SEED has been supporting numerous enterprises in Thailand and Ghana by facilitating their growth and contributions to sustainability. We are happy to present some of their successful stories that showcase our activities in Thailand and Ghana, featured in our #ThaiGreenSMEs and #GhanaGreenSMEs social media campaigns. Read more
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SEED-Insights from COP27

Published: 14 November 2022
On 10 and 11 November, 2022, SEED hosted several high-level events during COP27. SEED presented the Sustainable SME Action Agenda, a joint SEED, GO4SDGs and UNEP Report outlining the critical next steps of action to scale Green SME Support. Finally, the Coalition for Innovation, Circularity and Entrepreneurship was launched, a catalyser for scale up and impact. Read more
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Sustainable SME Action Agenda

Published: 10 November 2022Authors: Arab Hoballah, Mirko Zürker, Simon Mühlbauer
To scale Green SME Support for 2030, SEED, GO4SDGs and UNEP jointly build on their collective experiences to formulate lessons learned and critical next steps to inform this Sustainable SME Action Agenda. Validated through a global consultation process involving key regional SME Stakeholder, this Action Agenda outlines critical next steps to empower the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and build forward better. Read more
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Insights from the LAC Future Lab for Innovation and Policy

Published: 18 October 2022
On October 13th 2022, SEED and GO4SDGs organised the Latin America and the Caribbean Future Lab for Innovation and Policy. The event was organised as part of the Global Future Lab series, bringing together around 30 regional SME stakeholders, such as policy makers, intermediaries and SMEs to co-create and develop future-proof solution. Designed to connect and leverage the expertise of these key stakeholders, the outcome of the Future Labs will inform a Sustainable SME Action Agenda. Read more
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Insights from the Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy

Published: 04 October 2022
On October 4th 2022, SEED and GO4SDGs organised the Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy. The event was organised as part of the Global Future Lab series, bringing together around 30 regional SME stakeholders, such as policy makers, intermediaries and SMEs to co-create and develop future-proof solution. Designed to connect and leverage the expertise of these key stakeholders, the outcome of the Future Labs will inform a Sustainable SME Action Agenda. Read more
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Insights from the West Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy

Published: 26 September 2022
On September 20th 2022, SEED and GO4SDGs, together with the West Asia Sustainable Fashion Academy, organised the West Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy. The event was organised as part of the Global Future Lab series, bringing together around 30 regional SME stakeholders, such as policy makers, intermediaries and SMEs to co-create and develop future-proof solution. Designed to connect and leverage the expertise of these key stakeholders, the outcome of the Future Labs will inform a Sustainable SME Action Agenda. Read more
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Eco-Clean from Ghana

Published: 07 September 2022
Eco-Clean Ghana Foundation is creating livelihood and empowerment opportunities for women, youth, and schools in rural communities in Ghana, by using permaculture and ecovillage sustainable modules to turn waste into resources. Watch the video to learn more about Eco-Clean Ghana Foundation's path to creating resources out of waste. Read more

Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy

Published: 23 August 2022
SEED and Go4SDGs organise the Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy. As part of the Global Future Lab series, the event will bring together regional policy makers, intermediaries and SMEs to co-create and develop future-proof solutions. Designed to connect and leverage the expertise of key green SME stakeholders, the Global Future Labs will inform a New Green SME Action Agenda. Read more
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West Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy

Published: 12 August 2022
SEED and Go4SDGs, together with the West Asia Sustainable Fashion Academy, organise the West Asia Future Lab for Innovation and Policy. As part of the Global Future Lab series, the event will bring together regional policy makers, intermediaries and SMEs to co-create and develop future-proof solutions. Designed to connect and leverage the expertise of key green SME stakeholders, the Global Future Labs will inform a New Green SME Action Agenda. Read more
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The Africa Future Lab for Innovation and Policy

Published: 09 August 2022
On July 28th 2022, SEED, in collaboration with GO4SDGs, organised the Africa Future Lab for Innovation and Policy. The event was organised as part of the Global Future Labs that bring together 30 – 40 regional SME stakeholders, such as policy makers, intermediaries and SMEs to co-create and develop future-proof solutions. Read more
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HLPF side-event: How to build forward better with SMEs as gamechangers

Published: 21 July 2022
On July 12th, 2022, SEED, together with Go4SDGs, UN Environment Programme, UN Global Compact and the Government of Germany, organised an official side event to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Read more
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Building Forward Better: Delivering Locally with SMEs as Gamechangers

Published: 05 July 2022
SEED, in collaboration with GO4SDGs, UN Environment Programme, UN Global Compact and the government of Germany, is organising an official side event to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Read more
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Green SMEs and their Success Factors for Scale-up and Replication

Published: 31 May 2022Authors: Arab Hoballah, Mirko Zürker, Simon Mühlbauer
This report analyses small and medium-sized enterprises (hereby SMEs) with green business models and explores how selected enterprises scale and replicate their activities. Its main objective is to provide insights into the critical success factors for scaling and replication. It is intended for policymakers and intermediaries to draw direct insights from SMEs. It analyses the critical success factors for scale-up and replication of enterprise activities and highlights concrete recommendations to close existing gaps in order to maximise their contribution to the SDGs. Green SMEs can find inspiration through the case studies in the annex of this report. This report was prepared in collaboration with GO4SDGs. Read more
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Driving Green Recovery Pathways in South and Southeast Asia

Published: 06 May 2022Authors: Amar Munnolimath, Christine Meyer, Jonas Restle-Steinert, Julia Rohe-Frydrych, Mirko Zürker, Net Pornlumon Nirachatsuwan, Supapim Wannopas
The purpose of this Driving Green Recovery Pathways in South and Southeast Asia: Insights from Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Intermediaries report is to showcase the importance of green and social MSMEs to drive Green Recovery and identify the supports that the intermediary and policy could provide. The insights in this report are derived from The Green Recovery Forum: Leveraging the contributions of MSMEs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
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Fostering the circular economy in India: Role of MSMEs

Published: 30 March 2022Authors: Abdullah Mohammed Atiq, Amar Munnolimath, Mehar Kaur, Shweta Gautam
This policy brief looks at the role of MSMEs in catalysing the circular economy in India, and puts forward some recommendations and policy solution prototypes to support and unlock circular economy entrepreneurship. The recommendations and prototypes were developed as part of the SEED Practitioner Labs for Policy Prototyping in India, 2021. Read more
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The Green Recovery Forum: Leveraging the contributions of MSMEs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

Published: 07 March 2022Authors: Mirko Zürker, Net Pornlumon Nirachatsuwan, Supapim Wannopas
The Green Recovery Forum: Leveraging the contributions of MSMEs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals is a collaborative partnership between SEI, SEED, ANDE, and partners. The Forum highlights MSMEs potential and contribution to the Green Recovery, their need for support to build back economically while emphasising the MSMEs’ green and socially-inclusive approach in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
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Penguatan Pasar Hijau Lokal dengan Menghubungkan Pengadaan dengan Perusahaan Berkelanjutan | Naskah Lanskap Kebijakan Indonesia

Published: 05 October 2021Authors: Andrés Olarte Peña, Camilla Shearman, Derisko Malayu Putra, Gita Syahrani, Ivy Londa, Ristika Putri
Pemerintah Indonesia telah memberikan penekanan yang kuat pada pengembangan ekonomi lokal di seluruh negeri, dan telah menempatkan langkah-langkah penting untuk menyelaraskan pengeluaran pemerintah untuk pengadaan dengan prioritas ini. Bersamaan dengan kampanye #BanggaBuatanIndonesia untuk mendorong minat dan permintaan barang dan jasa produksi dalam negeri, Peraturan Presiden Nomor 12 Tahun 2021 tentang Pengadaan Barang dan Jasa Pemerintah (“Peraturan 12/2021”) mewajibkan Kementerian, Lembaga, dan Pemerintah Daerah untuk menggunakan setidaknya 40% anggarannya untuk mendapatkan produk dalam negeri dari usaha mikro dan koperasi. Prioritas untuk mendukung usaha mikro, kecil dan menengah (UMKM) untuk mengakses pasar melalui belanja pemerintah berpotensi mendorong upaya pemulihan ekonomi di tingkat lokal dan nasional. Read more
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Strengthening Local Green Markets by Linking Procurement and MSMEs | Policy Landscape Indonesia

Published: 28 September 2021Authors: Andrés Olarte Peña, Camilla Shearman, Derisko Malayu Putra, Gita Syahrani, Ivy Londa, Ristika Putri
The Indonesian government has placed a strong emphasis on the development of local economies across the country, and have put into place important steps to align government spending on procurement with this priority. Linking eco-inclusive MSMEs to public procurement opportunities can leverage the potential for MSMEs to drive local sustainable economic development through their growth. Read more
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#GO4SDGs Presents: Innovative solutions for MSMEs in a green recovery

Published: 13 July 2021
#GO4SDGs Presents: Innovative solutions for MSMEs in a green recovery was an official side event at the 2021 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development hosted jointly the GGKP, SEED and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Read more
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Meet the SEED Awards 2021 Winners and Runners-up

Published: 13 July 2021
Announcing the winners of the 2021 SEED Awards for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Development, at the UN’s High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Read more
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SEED Awards 2021 Winners

Published: 13 July 2021
The SEED Awards for Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Development is an annual awards scheme designed to identify the most innovative and promising locally led start-up eco-inclusive enterprises in developing and emerging economies. Read more
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