Biodegradable plates with organic seeds, sanitary pads made from banana waste and a website promoting car sharing in Vietnam, are just a few of the 34 winners of the 2013 SEED Awards given by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
The awards acknowledge and support innovative social and environmental start-up enterprises in developing and emerging economies.
Ms Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General IUCN said, “As Chairman of the SEED Board, I greatly welcome this next cohort of SEED Winners, social innovators and entrepreneurs who also place environment centre stage.
“We will do what we can to help them and others to grow, and call on others to join us.”
The SEED Awards continue to especially focus on Africa, as they have in previous years.
This is part of a larger project entitled ‘Stimulating the Green Economy in Africa’, which is funded by the European Union and the government in the Belgian province of Flanders.
To reflect the growing need to encourage climate-smart enterprises at the grassroots level, a further 10 SEED Low Carbon Awards are being made to social and environmental enterprises that focus on mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
“These micro-companies are the little acorns from which big and mighty businesses could well grow, but they are more than that.
“These mini enterprises are achieving profitability, not at the expense of their environment or their communities, but by providing solutions to the social, economic and environmental challenges of our time.
If proof was needed that a transition to an inclusive green economy is underway, then look no further than these remarkable entrepreneurs,” said Mr Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director.
Additionally, two SEED Gender Equality Awards were given to enterprises that are women-led or owned and prioritise women’s empowerment and gender equality as a core objective.
At the same event, major Chinese electronics and white goods manufacturer HISENSE was confirmed as a corporate partner for the SEED Initiative for the next three years.
The SEED awards received applications from 85 countries, which represent the collaborative efforts of partnerships between enterprises, non-governmental organisations, women and youth groups, labor organizations, public authorities, international agencies and academia.
Most of the applications were in the agricultural and rural development sectors, as well as in energy and climate change, and ecosystem management.
The Award winners will receive from SEED a package of individually tailored support for their businesses, access to other supporting institutions and technical assistance, and a financial contribution of US$5000.
For more information on which enterprises received awards, visit http://www.seedinit.org/awards/all.html?art_title=&rd_winners_year_of_participation=2013&rd_winners_field_of_work=&rd_winner_region=&rd_winners_country=&search=rd_list_winners_module&task=search
