SEED Library

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

Enterprise Brief: Imai Farming Cooperative

Published: 29 August 2011
The IMAI Farming Cooperative has developed a sustainable business processing surplus vegetable crop yields into the value-added food product “achar”. This avoids wasting surplus vegetables and generates additional income. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Dr Marie Dialo Labortoires

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative supports local women in cultivating and processing traditional plants for beauty and health products that comply with international standards. It improves the lives of the rural population by equipping women with the skills to transform plants into raw materials for cosmetic and health products, and training them in handicraft production. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Sawdust Entrepreneurial Initiative Among Oko-baba Communities In Lagos

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative processes waste sawdust from lumber mills into high-quality fuel briquettes, thereby reducing pollution levels and generating revenue for the local community. The Lagos Oko Baba mills produce large quantities of sawdust that in the past were incinerated. The initiative transforms this waste into a high-value, clean-burning marketable product. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: RISE Kenya

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative empowers women in rural areas of Kenya economically by training them to farm and process aloe. The women are also taught how to manufacture value-added products from the aloe which can then be sold on local and national markets. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Centre de Recyclage des Sachets Plastiques du GAFREH

Published: 29 August 2011
Founded in 2003 by GAFREH, an association of women artisans, the recycling centre makes eco-friendly fashion goods and decorative handicraft products out of used plastic bags. The initiative provides an innovative solution to pollution caused by plastic waste in Burkina Faso, whilst encouraging women to become commercially auto nomous. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Butterfly farming for pro poor tourism and environment conservation

Published: 29 August 2011
The Zanzibar Butterlfy Centre (ZBC) and the proposed Manyara Butterfly Centre are tourist attractions where visitors can see butterflies in botanical gardens. The butterflies are raised by local farmers and sold to ZBC for display or export. Butterflies require an intact ecosystem, creating incentives for the community to manage the local natural environment sustainably. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Promoting Bamboo as a Craft and Technology Application with a View to Conserving Taita Hills Forests

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative aims to provide the market with quality bamboo handicrafts, furniture and other items, as well as alternative construction materials. This supports ongoing forest restoration efforts around Taita Hills Forests and also provides rural households with an alternative fuel. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Project for Producing Edible Mushroom Spores

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative aims to make the production of mushroom spores accessible to rural populations in Rwanda, particularly vulnerable people living in zones with a high risk of soil erosion. Mushrooms, as a short-cycle, high-yield crop, offer an alternative to traditional crops that is both more profitable and has a higher nutritional value. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Kenya Organic Finest Aromas Ltd (KOFA)

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative seeks to address food insecurity and poverty among smallscale farmers in Kenya by providing them with certified organic farm inputs, training in organic farming techniques and marketing-related services to increase their profit margins and market access. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Man and Man Enterprise

Published: 29 August 2011
Man and Man Enterprise produces and markets efficient biomass cooking stoves which save 40 % on charcoal compared to conventional stoves. The product thus enables substantial savings on fuel costs while reducing deforestation and GHG emissions. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Karama

Published: 29 August 2011
Karama markets Egyptian handicrafts, linking marginalised artisans to the global market and highlighting the tradition and artistry that lies behind every piece. The initiative also trains artisans and encourages them to take pride in their cultural heritage, thereby ensuring that their skills are passed down through the generations. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: GreenTech Company Ltd - fuel briquettes from groundnut shells combined with fuel efficient stoves

Published: 29 August 2011
Since July 2011, GreenTech produces high quality fuel briquettes from groundnutshells and promotes fuel efficient stoves for cooking and heating purposes in households, restaurants and industries. As the combined briquette/stove unit needs less fuel input than common cooking units, it reduces cooking costs, emissions and the exploitation of forests. The briquettes are pressed by a heavy duty machine, producing 800kg/h. The stoves are produced with recycled metal by local weldermen. Briquettes and stoves are available on stock. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: SEPALI Madagascar

Published: 29 August 2011
SEPALI is a local spin-of of an international non-governmental organisation that provides technical and financial assistance to farmers and community-based enterprise groups in Madagascar. By promoting the production and processing of wild silk from moths raised on indigenous trees, SEPALI conserves local biodiversity and secures farmers’ livelihoods. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: FADECO Trading Co. Ltd.

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative tackles the problem of post-harvest losses by solar drying fruit and vegetables which can subsequently be stored or sold. Drying agricultural products helps to ensure food security during the rainy seasons and creates opportunities for local farmers to access new markets. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Rural Transportation and Renewable Products Conversion Centres for Agro-residues

Published: 29 August 2011
VIVUS has developed an innovative rural transportation system enabling the efficient collection of small quantities of crops and agricultural waste in remote areas. The initiative then sells the crops in urban centres and converts the residues into biogas and fertiliser. 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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"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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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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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 Annual Report 2011

Published: 18 April 2011
2011 was a remarkable year for SEED, where a record number of SEED winners were awarded. 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 Symposium 2011

Published: 15 April 2011
Together with UNEP, SEED hosted a high-level symposium on the Green Economy in Pretoria, South Africa, on Friday 15 April. 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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