SEED Library

SEED Africa Symposium 2016: From Innovation to Imitation

Published: 08 November 2016

On 28-29 September 2016 the SEED Africa Symposium's topic was "From Innovation to Imitation" and brought together almost 450 enterprises, researchers, practitioners, investors, policy makers and representatives of the civil society who discussed how we can collaboratively utilize the replication of business models to successfully contribute to green growth and sustainable development in Africa. Read more

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Past Event

SEED Africa Symposium 2016

Published: 08 November 2016

Over two days, the highly interactive event provided several opportunities to share knowledge and perspectives, to jointly develop ideas and to broaden networks. Read more

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SEED shares experiences at the SwitchMed Connect Conference on 19th and 20th October in Barcelona

Published: 08 November 2016

The SwitchMed Connect Conference is an annual gathering of stakeholders of the Mediterranean ecosystem to share stories, expertise and experience on eco-inclusive entrepreneurship. SEED was invited to contribute to the panel “Green Entrepreneurship Training and Support Programmes”. Read more

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Call for Applications for the SEED Replicator

Published: 07 November 2016

SEED is currently looking for eco-inclusive enterprises wishing to replicate their business model. Read more

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Scaling Innovation at the Energy-Agriculture Nexus in East Africa

Published: 27 October 2016Authors: Christian Pirzer, Christine Meyer

With this year’s theme of the World Food Day on October 16th, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) chose a strong message that tackles key issues of our modern global society. Indeed, climate, energy and agriculture are all interconnected. Read more

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5 key success factors for successful replication of eco-inclusive business models

Published: 14 October 2016Authors: Christine Meyer

“There is no problem in Africa that nobody has thought about. Use those ideas!” said Ndubuisi Ekekwe from the African Institute of Technology two weeks ago at the SEED Africa Symposium in Nairobi. And, Jukka Uosukainen from the Climate Technology Centre and Network added: “Take the best innovations of the world and copy them. Let's start copying. I love it!” Read more

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Why All Women Recycling considers replication as a new pathway to scale impact

Published: 10 October 2016Authors: Lynn Worsley

“Be creative, be unafraid, and take that step off the mountain. I assure you it’s worth it.” This advice from Lynn Worsley, the founder of the successful eco-inclusive enterprise and 2014 SEED South Africa Award Winner All Women Recycling, encourages women who are considering founding their own social enterprise to go for it. Read more

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From innovative off-grid mobile solar power stations to the polymerised bitumen roads from recycled plastic - Meet the 2016 SEED Award Winners

Published: 28 September 2016

At SEED's largest annual international forum, the SEED Africa Symposium, SEED announced the 20 winners of the 2016 SEED Awards, today. These 20 outstanding eco-inclusive enterprises will be honoured during the international SEED Award Ceremony this evening. Read more

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Training Business Development Service Providers to Boost Eco-Inclusive Innovations

Published: 14 September 2016Authors: Rainer Agster

Working with more than 220 enterprises in 38 countries, we soon realized that although each enterprise is unique, topics are reoccurring. Instead of re-inventing the wheel each time, we put time and effort into ‘toolifying’ our support. Read more

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Case Study: Waste to Food

Published: 07 September 2016

Waste to Food has developed a combination of technologies to overcome the widespread disposal of organic waste to landfills in South Africa, while at the same time contributing to employment and food security. Read more

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Case Study: Food & Trees for Africa

Published: 07 September 2016

Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA) aims to build healthy and sustainable lives to uplift poor communities out of poverty while addressing environmental degradation and climate change. Read more

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Case Study: !Khuin !Kwa Kalahari Experience

Published: 07 September 2016

Khuin !Kwa Kalahari Experience (KK) offers authentic eco-tours within and around the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The enterprise is led by the ‡Khomani San community and the tours embrace the traditions of the ‡Khomani San culture. Read more

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Case Study: All Women Recycling

Published: 07 September 2016

All Women Recycling (AWR) is a small business, based in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, that has created a unique product to address local social and environmental challenges. Read more

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Replicating successful business models - Moving from lighthouses to a network of street lamps

Published: 05 September 2016Authors: Christine Meyer

It is a challenge to transition to a low carbon economy while improving the well-being of the world’s nine billion people. By replicating proven solutions, positive impact from eco-inclusive enterprises can spread, and facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy while also improving social conditions as set in the SDGs. Read more

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Policy Brief

Driving Conservation Through Sustainable Tourism Enterprises: A Sectoral Business Condition Brief

Published: 01 September 2016Authors: Dr. Christina Tewes-Gradl, Mariska van Gaalen

To protect biodiversity, we need to create alternative economic opportunities for the people who depend on the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Biodiversity is the foundation of human well-being and prosperity. At the same time, human activities are its greatest threat. In particular, biodiversity hotspots like savannahs, forests and coral reefs are under pressure due to unsustainable tourism development and the livelihood needs of low-income communities. Read more

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Policy Brief

Scaling Innovation at the Energy-Agriculture Nexus in East Africa: A Sectoral Business Condition Brief

Published: 01 September 2016Authors: Allison Robertshaw, Amélie Heuër, Christian Pirzer, Christine Meyer, Dr. Christina Tewes-Gradl, Jona Liebl

Energy and agriculture form a nexus. On one hand, energy can be generated by using crops, agricultural residues, and livestock waste. On the other hand, substantial amounts of energy are required along the agricultural and food processing value chain, accounting for around 30 % of the global energy consumption. Read more

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Waste to Food, a SEED Story from South Africa

Published: 30 August 2016

Waste to Food recycles food waste into high quality organic products. Commercial food waste is processed using industrial composting technology, the partially stabilised organics are then converted into high-quality earthworm compost. Read more

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‡Khomani San Kalahari Cultural and Nature Guides, a SEED Story from South Africa

Published: 30 August 2016

Khomani San Kalahari Guiding Experiences is a community-based ecotourism enterprise on ‡Khomani San owned land within and next to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It provides the community with sustainable employment opportunities through guided experiences that showcase the unique Kalahari Desert and the Bushmen people. The enterprise has won a SEED Award in 2011. Read more

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Food and Trees for Africa, a SEED Story from South Africa

Published: 29 August 2016

“Food & Trees for Africa” is a social enterprise addressing sustainable development through greening, climate change and food security programs. Started in 1990, FTFA has distributed over 3.8 million trees, facilitated the creation of over 2 500 organic food gardens for the poorest in South Africa and launched the first carbon calculator and the Carbon Protocol in this country. Read more

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All Women Recycling, a SEED Story from South Africa

Published: 29 August 2016

All Women Recycling turns discarded plastic bottles into unique gift boxes, called kliketyklikboxes, which are sold internationally. In the production of the gift boxes the enterprise employs young women, primarily previously unemployed single mothers. All Women Recycling also contributes to cleaner townships by strengthening environmental awareness, particularly in schools which as a result set up collection points for the plastic bottles. The enterprise has won a SEED South Africa Award in 2014. Read more

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Enterprise Brief

Enterprise Brief: Green the Map

Published: 21 August 2016

Green the Map (GTM) recycles waste and provides a retail network for upcycled products, generating livelihoods for disadvantaged people and spreading environmental consciousness. By partnering with waste collectors, producers, NGOs and government, the enterprise contributes to tackling urban waste problems. Read more

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East Africa Fruit Farm and Company: an outstanding enterprise, not just according to President Obama

Published: 19 August 2016Authors: Magdalena Kloibhofer

“[Entrepreneurship] puts rising economies on the path to prosperity and empowers people to come together and tackle our most pressing global problems, from climate change to poverty. When people can start their own businesses, it helps individuals and families succeed." Read more

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Launch of the SAG-SEED Replicator Connect Workshop in Kenya: Apply by 9 September 2016!

Published: 16 August 2016

A SAG-SEED Replicator Connect Workshop will take place on 26 September 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya. Read more

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