Rural Enterprise Network, a SEED Story from Sri Lanka
Published: 06 August 2015
The Rural Enterprise Network (REN) is a social marketing organization established in 2002 by networking rural farmers and producers in South of Sri Lanka. Their concept was developed based on the observation that access to markets and other BDS was lacking in rural micro-business interventions in the country. The REN model addresses these gaps, providing marketing-related services to increase market access for poor small-scale producers. The enterprise has won a SEED Awards in 2010. Read more
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Taking action and inspiring change towards food security not only on Mandela Day, but every day
Published: 18 July 2015 Mirko Zürker, Rest Kanju
“It’s in your hands now”: with this sentence, Nelson Mandela passed on his legacy to make a difference in the world to a new generation at his 90th birthday. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Black Gold Farm Manure
Published: 06 July 2015
Black Gold Farm Manure sells natural fertiliser produced from chicken manure and farm residues acquired from local smallholder farmers to households and farms in Malawi, providing training and employment to women and farmers from local communities. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Botanic Treasures
Published: 06 July 2015
Botanic Treasures Ltd is a social enterprise empowering over 500 smallholder farmers to grow Moringa oleifera, a highly nutritious edible plant. Improving the livelihoods of farmers with additional income, the enterprise produces nutritional supplements and fortified foods that combat malnutrition and degenerative diseases, and support food security. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Bwengu Tomato Production and Processing
Published: 06 July 2015
Bwengu Tomato Production and Processing is a cooperative that applies a resource efficient system for tomato plantations. Its members run a water-saving drip irrigation system for the plantations and sell both raw tomatoes as well as tomato sauce in nearby markets. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: East Africa Fruit Farm and Company
Published: 06 July 2015
East Africa Fruit Farm and Company trades and markets fresh fruit and vegetables, significantly reducing post-harvest losses by cold storage and powering all activities with renewable energy. Smallholder farmers in the supply chain are supported with fair prices and readily prepared land. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Hortinet
Published: 06 July 2015
Hortinet specializes in sourcing and supplying urban markets in Malawi with various organic horticultural produce grown in the enterprise’s land and in outsourced smallholder farms. The enterprise maintains production contracts with local farmers and provides them with training and extension services. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: O Viveiro
Published: 06 July 2015
O Viveiro maintains a centre for underprivileged girls, who receive training on organic farming, food processing, management and sales. The produce from the enterprise’s and local farms is harvested, processed and sold at two shops and a restaurant managed by the girls. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Peacock Seeds
Published: 06 July 2015
Peacock Seeds supplies farmers across Malawi with certified maize and legume seeds that can adapt to climate change. The seeds support food security and empower smallholder farmers by increasing their income in the long run. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Terra Nova Waste to Farming
Published: 06 July 2015
Terra Nova Waste to Farming employs individuals in vulnerable conditions to produce natural fertiliser out of organic urban waste. The compost reduces the amount of urban solid waste at local dumps and improves soil fertility and crop yields in the region. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: The Moringa Cooperative
Published: 06 July 2015
The Moringa Cooperative is primarily focused on donating, planting, and cultivating Moringa oleifera (Moringa), and other beneficial plants, in cooperation with rural Eco-Schools in Limpopo Province. The enterprise promotes food security and improved nutrition, provides employment for disadvantaged women and youth, and contributes to local industry through enterprise development. Read more
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How companies and NGOs can work together to tackle food security
Adva Saldinger Source: Adva Saldinger
SDGs:
Increasing the impact of social enterprises in developing and emerging economies
Published: 25 June 2015 Aline Margaux Wachner, Lisa M. Hanley, Tim Weiss
A recent large-scale survey published by Zeppelin University and Siemens Stiftung generally support the idea that social enterprises can have a positive impact on poverty reduction. However, it also reveals some caveats, which have led us to derive concrete recommendations for action. Read more
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What role for eco-entrepreneurship in the Post-2015 agenda?
Published: 19 June 2015 Anais Mangin, Helen Marquard
The Millennium Development Goals have shaped development cooperation in the last 15 years, and there has been progress towards eliminating poverty worldwide. Nevertheless, much remains to be done. Read more
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Meet the SEED Accelerator recipients and VOTE NOW for the SEED Special Recognition Award!
Published: 28 May 2015
At the SEED South Africa Symposium 2015, SEED announced the Accelerator recipients. Read more
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Explore SEED through the new Virtual Exhibition and learn about the SEED Winners’ impacts through the new SEED Case Studies
Published: 27 May 2015
SEED is launching a new interactive multimedia feature which will enable you to look into all aspects of SEED’s activities: the Virtual Exhibition, as well as new in-depth Case Studies that have emerged from the latest SEED research. Read more
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The Observer features stories about five SEED Winners in a special on climate change
Published: 26 May 2015
How can local communities help to save the environment and better their lives? To answer this question the Observer Tech Monthly of the Guardian spoke with Helen Marquard, Executive Director of SEED. Read more
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Botanica Natural Products, a SEED Story from South Africa
Published: 26 May 2015
Botanica Natural Products has developed a method of extracting beneficial substances from Bulbine frutescens, a traditional medicinal plant, for the cosmetic industry. The plant is cultivated and processed organically in its indigenous location in rural Limpopo, and its commercial use provides employment opportunities in the marginalised area. The local community further benefits through an Access and Benefit Sharing agreement. Read more
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IMAI Farming Cooperative, a SEED Story from South Africa
Published: 26 May 2015
IMAI Farming Cooperative is a women’s cooperative which has partnered with non-government organisations and government institutions and is increasing and stabilising farmers’ incomes and reducing waste by processing surplus fresh vegetable produce into pickles. The cooperative also encourages organic farming. Read more
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Reel Gardening, a SEED Story from South Africa
Published: 26 May 2015
Claire Reid Reel Gardening provides consumers with a pre-fertilised seed strip that encases seeds at the correct depth and distance apart and offers planting instructions in seven languages. Implemented by a youth organisation with assistance from government and social development programmes, the initiative aims to create sustainable subsistence gardens throughout South Africa. Read more
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The SEED Virtual Exhibition - to be launched on 27 May 2015!
Published: 11 May 2015
Embark with us on a journey towards SEED's vision of a world of flourishing communities where social and environmental entrepreneurship drives sustainable development. Experience how SEED Winners achieve measurable impacts and see how SEED is joining forces with others to build an enabling environment for eco-entrepreneurship. Read more
Greening South Africa’s economy: improved business development support for social and environmental enterprises
Published: 06 May 2015 Julia Rohe-Frydrych, Rest Kanju
According to World Bank, South Africa ranks as an upper-middle income economy, representing the second-largest economy in Africa. While disposing of an abundant supply of natural resources and a modern infrastructure, unemployment, poverty, and inequality remain a challenge. Read more
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How the business of bees contributes to sustainable development
Published: 10 April 2015 Amélie Heuër, Carolin Ehrensperger
Bees play a vital part in our natural ecosystems as they are responsible for the pollination of many fruit, nuts, vegetables and other species. Read more
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SEED Awards 2015 - Apply by 31 March 2015!
Published: 06 February 2015
In 2015 SEED will make available up to 31 SEED Awards, for which SEED has received support from the European Union, the Government of Flanders, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the international law firm Hogan Lovells. Additional support is provided by the Government of the Netherlands and other SEED Partners. Read more
