Advancing the transition to inclusive green economies in Southern Africa through Eco-Inclusive Enterprise Development

From 2018 to 2020, adelphi implemented the SEED programme in Southern Africa, further developing the ecosystem needed to strengthen green and inclusive (eco-inclusive) entrepreneurship,

In the framework of this project, adelphi strengthened the capacity of over 300 eco-inclusive small and growing enterprises at different stages of business development. This included incubation support for early-stage enterprises for market entry, as well as tailored and in-depth support packages that combine capacity building and peer-learning for enterprises at growth stage. The latter supports SMEs through group workshops of a course of six to eight months and through intensive individual coaching to refine their business models and optimise impact, operational excellence, and investment readiness.

Additionally, adelphi has supported the development of a supportive enterprise ecosystem by training 40 BDS Trainers across Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to enhace their capacities with the skills and tools required to improve their support services to SMEs. In the project’s principal target country, Malawi, this has been complemented by an extensive policy prototyping programme to improve the framework conditions for eco-inclusive enterprises.

Throughout the project, adelphi continuously evaluated the development of social and ecological impacts and published the results. As part of SEED's project management, adelphi was responsible for overall coordination of activities and programs.