Circular Economy

In order to preserve valuable natural resources for future generations and conserve biodiversity, we need to drive the transition to a Circular Economy. Closed-loop, circular economic models reincorporate materials into production cycles to reduce resource exploitation and ensure that we are able to live healthier, more sustainable lives.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Natural tree products and community resource management

Published: 29 August 2011
Everpix and its partners create income for rural communities by manufacturing and selling a diversified portfolio of sustainable novel products made from natural resources. Indigenous tree planting by communities and the establishment of integrated “green” business development hubs empower future growth. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: BRADES

Published: 29 August 2011
The initiative provides urban and rural households with biochar briquettes made from clay and charcoal waste, a cheap combustible fuel. 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: 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: 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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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: 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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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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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 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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2009 SEED Winner, Nafore and Afrisolar Energy Kiosks, wins ERM's Low Carbon Competition

Published: 26 January 2011
The Low Carbon Enterprise Fund was established to support small “low carbon” businesses in the developing world. The fund sits within the ERM Foundation - a not-for-profit charity - and provides finance in the form of loans and equity stakes to entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Read more
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SEED Award Winners make headlines

Published: 05 January 2011
Three SEED Award Winners have been featured by other initiatives and organisations. Read more
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From bamboo bikes to biomass briquettes: UNEP unveils SEED Award Winners

Authors: Constance Hybsier Source: UN Environment
A novel solar device that turns waste heat into electricity in rural China, a Ugandan business that manufactures stationary from agricultural waste, a bamboo bicycle project in Ghana and a female-run business in South Africa making a hand-held laundry device that saves water are among the 30 winners of the 2010 SEED Awards, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today. Read more
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Announcement: Meet the 2010 SEED Winners!

Published: 03 November 2010
The SEED Initiative is thrilled to announce its 2010 SEED Award Winners! From bamboo bicycles to fly-fisheries, from businesswomen's collectives to inspired youth, these entrepreneurs are building a more sustainable world, starting in their own communities. Read more
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Catching up with SEED Award winners and finalists: Oro Verde

Published: 01 November 2010
The 'green' gold of 2009 SEED Award winner Oro Verde has garnered international press coverage and is currently in the process of acquiring the Fairtrade and Fairmined labels. Read more
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Catching up with SEED Award winners and finalists: Lighting Up Hope and Communities

Published: 30 October 2010
The Nicaraguan project, 'Lighting Up Hope and Communities', received a SEED Award in 2008 for its production and sale of solar products specially designed for local needs. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: IziWasha

Published: 29 August 2010
IziWasha is a simple and affordable handheld laundry device aimed at improving the lives of women by easing the burden of hand-washing whilst saving water. Read more
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Enterprise Brief: Kayor Rural Energy, Rural Electrification by Photovoltaic Solar Energy

Published: 29 August 2010
Créée en 2006 par l’Union des Groupements Paysans de Mékhé, KAYER fournit des solutions énergétiques renouvelables aux ménages et organisations situés en zones non électrifiées, en lien avec des institutions de microfinance. L’énergie est considérée comme un facteur de développement, au service des dynamiques socioéconomiques locales. Read more
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