December 2008: The SEED Initiative, a global network founded in 2002 by IUCN, the UN Development Programme and the UN Environment Programme to contribute towards the goals in the UN’s Millennium Declaration and the commitments made at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development, has called for nominations for its annual award.

SEED (supporting entrepreneurs for sustainable development) Award
winners receive a tailored package of support services, worth up to
US$40,000, to help establish their venture and increase their impact,
including access to relevant expertise and technical assistance,
meeting new partners and building networks, developing business plans
and identifying sources of finance. 2008 award winners included: a
cooperative business that will produce and market solar products made
from recycled solar cells and solar cookers adapted for local needs;
and a partnership to trigger community approaches to water-efficient
crop irrigation and biofuel production to address climate change
adaptation and mitigation, and food security and poverty. [SEED Initiative Website]