Tags
Boosting Green Employment and
Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana
Unlocking Africa's potential towards a GrEEn and Circular Economy.
Some Impacts of the GrEEn Project
The GrEEn Project has impacted several individuals and businesses in Ghana's Green Economy. See some below.
GrEEn Project Awards Matching Grant To 12 Green Entrepreneurs
Twelve (12) Green Businesses and Entrepreneurs from the Ashanti and Western regions will receive a combined matching grant of GHS 1,170,000 under the 2021 GrEEn Innovation Challenge.
Green Project Awards Matching Grant to 12 Entrepreneurs
Twelve (12) green businesses and entrepreneurs from the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana received a combined matching grant of GHS 1,170,000 under the 2021 GrEEn Innovation Challenge. The GrEEn Innovation Challenge is part of the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project, a four-year action primarily funded by the European Union, together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), since 2019. The GrEEn project is aimed at creating sustainable jobs for youth, women and returning migrants, as well as supporting green businesses and entrepreneurs who want to transition into the green or circular economy.
The GrEEn Innovation Challenge, which was kickstarted by SNV in Ghana in July 2021, is a yearly competition aimed at scaling up innovative green ideas and businesses to create sustainable jobs. The challenge forms part of the GrEEn project’s objective of supporting entrepreneurs and green SMEs as well as creating employment opportunities. ‘The Innovation Challenge is a great incentive and support to young entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, to transform their dreams and ideas into viable green businesses; businesses that contribute to a local circular economy in Ghana. In this way, GrEEn addresses two big issues in Ghana: youth unemployment and climate crisis. Let’s go green!’ says Anjo van Toorn, Country Director of SNV in Ghana.
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Ghana, Ambassador Irchad Ramiandrasoa Razaaly says: ‘Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and natural resources shortage are major global challenges. These are shared priorities for EU and Ghana. Addressing them is a necessity! It also offers a wide range of new business opportunities to young Ghanaian entrepreneurs partnering with the EU on promoting sustainable development.’ In a related activity in November 2021, the GrEEn project also awarded a matching grant of GHS 418,857 to 21 green businesses from the Ashanti and Western regions who had completed SNV’s Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Programme under the GrEEn Business Plan Competition.
2022 GrEEn Innovation Challenge
The GrEEn project Innovation Challenge is a yearly competition aimed at supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and businesses with outstanding, innovative green ideas.
2022 GrEEn Innovation Challenge
The Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project Innovation Challenge is a yearly competition aimed at supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and businesses with outstanding, innovative green ideas. The Challenge forms part of GrEEn’s objective of supporting entrepreneurs and green SMEs to increase their operations. For its second edition, a total of up to EUR 25,000 per SME will be awarded in the form of matching grants to 15 selected SMEs enrolled in the GrEEn Incubation or GrEEn Acceleration Programmes in the Ashanti, Greater Accra and Western Regions.
Objectives
The GrEEn Innovation Challenge will have the following key elements:
Eligibility Criteria
Financial Requirements
Targeted Regions
Application Process
The application process is as follows:
GrEEn Project Supports Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations
On Friday, 11 February 2022, SNV under The GrEEn Project, handed over Information and Communications Technology equipment to the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to be used in the implementation of the National Green Jobs Strategy.
GrEEn Project Awards Matching Grant To 12 Green Entrepreneurs
On Friday, 11 February 2022, SNV Ghana’s European Union-funded, Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project, handed over Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment to the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) in Accra to be used in collecting, documenting and facilitating the sharing of information regarding the implementation of the National Green Jobs Strategy. 'I am very keen to develop our relationship further and to hand over these items to the Ministry to facilitate your work better. I am also very happy we have been able to work together with the Ministry on Public-Private Dialogues to inform the National Green Jobs Strategy. SNV is willing to continue supporting the Ministry in implementing the Strategy. I also thank the European Union, who have provided funding for this project', stated Anjo van Toorn, Country Director of SNV in Ghana.
'The National Green Jobs Strategy is extremely relevant to Ghana- it is not only relevant, it is also urgent - if you look at how the climate is impacting on Ghana and on our lives and how it will continue to impact us more and more in the coming future, it is key we are prepared for this and work together on the Green Jobs Strategy', he added. Emma Ofori Agyemang, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations conveyed the Ministry’s appreciation for the items, 'With our Green Jobs Strategy in place we can only do our best and our best can only be if SNV also continues to support us to achieve the modest gains we are to make so thank you for your support', she stated.
Kizito Ballans, Chief Director of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations received the items from Anjo van Toorn, stating, 'On the issue of green jobs, well everyone is witness to what climate change is doing, the havoc it is causing so obviously, it is incumbent on every country to contribute as early as possible. Right now, we all know that unemployment of the youth is a major problem for us in this country and everyone recognises it so once we have a Project that targets the youth in terms of employment, obviously we will all be happy about it.' The items include eight (8) laptops and bags, eight (8) multi-purpose printers, nine (9) 4G Mobile Wi-Fi modems and one (1) camera. The provision of the items by the GrEEn Project forms part of the European Union and SNV in Ghana’s efforts to contribute to Ghana’s greening agenda. In 2020, SNV signed an MoU with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to work together to create green jobs and provide youth employment at the local level to support Ghana in its transition into a circular economy. Through the GrEEn project, SNV focuses on improving the employability and entrepreneurship capabilities of youth in the agriculture, energy and WASH sectors, in addition to supporting Small, Medium Enterprises that contribute to green and climate resilient local economies with incubation and/or acceleration.
Yvonne Adjei, Tackling Waste Segregation Behind The Scenes
Yvonne is a participant of the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) employability training programme, Yvonne gained the opportunity to enhance her employment prospects by learning practical skills.
Yvonne Adjei, Tackling Waste Segregation Behind The Scenes
At Waste 360 – a waste management company in Takoradi in the Western region of Ghana – 33-year old Yvonne Adjei is found behind her desk coordinating daily waste collection rounds in the municipality. Yvonne is a participant of the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) employability training programme supported by the European Union and United Nations Capital Development Fund project, Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn). Through the training programme, trainees like Yvonne gain the opportunity to enhance their employment prospects by learning practical skills and applying these during the internship period. As part of the training programme, two-month internships are organised by GrEEn training partners who match trainees’ skills and interests with host green companies.
Yvonne obtained her degree in Environment and Resource Management from the University of Development Studies in 2011. Since graduating, she has been producing soaps, shower gels, and hand sanitisers for income generation. But Yvonne has always had an interest to work in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. In September 2020, Yvonne saw a call for application for the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) training programme on SNV’s social media page. The call offered successful candidates with the opportunity to learn more about the WASH sector. Yvonne was shortlisted and contacted by SNV’s training partner in the region, MDF West Africa. ‘At that time, I was living in Tarkwa but relocated to Takoradi to attend the training (programme). I applied because I wanted to be linked to institutions that are into green businesses, which is exactly what OYE does. They prepared me to enter my area of interest and gave me knowledge on professionalism, conflict management, and relating with people in the workplace. They also taught me negotiation skills.’
By design, participants who complete the OYE employability training programme gain a two-month internship opportunity with one of OYE’s partner companies. Yvonne was matched to Waste 360, where she is currently doing her internship. ‘At school, I learned about waste disposal and engineered landfill sites. But lessons were not practical. They were more theoretical. At Waste 360, my exposure to service management and delivery has been an eye-opener. Through my internship at Waste 360, I travel to sites and see how services are delivered. Through this exposure, I gain first-hand information and experience on waste management.’
Meet Peter - A GrEEn Incubation Programme Participant
Peter Kyei is a 35-year-old married father of two and founder of Fresh Life 360, an organic farm located in the Eshiem community in the Western region of Ghana. On his farm are two fishponds where he stocks catfish.
Meet Peter - A GrEEn Incubation Programme Participant
Peter Kyei stands next to a covered mound in the middle of his farm, a half-acre land- where he grows vegetables and farms catfish. He stoops down, extending his hands to lift the plastic bag covering the mound and reveals a lump of black dirt. 'This is how I make my compost for my vegetables. I use them for my tomatoes, pepper, and vegetables” he says, scooping a handful of the black, nutritious plant food.' The 35-year-old is a married father of two and founder of Fresh Life 360, an organic farm located in the Eshiem community in the Western region of Ghana. A sales associate with a private business in the region, Peter acquired land to start commercial farming in 2018, 'My main reason for acquiring this land was to go into fish farming because of the proximity of a water source to this location.
'My motivation was coming from research and honestly, it wasn’t on my mind that I was doing organic, but I realised that that was what I was doing. I had always wanted the stuff that I do to be natural- even though I found out more about organic farming along the way.' On his farm are two fishponds where he stocks catfish and uses environmentally friendly practices for the ponds. 'I started with the concrete ponds and would cut down stems of plantain and bananas into the ponds and stock the pond with water for some weeks till the chemicals in the cement are dealt with. After doing that, I fertilise the ponds with chicken manure that has been soaked with sawdust for some days. Before that, I line the ponds so that any bacteria or creature will die before I do the fertilisation. These give the ponds a rich green colour, which indicates that it is full of organisms and nutrients that will help the fish grow'. In February, a friend forwarded a link to SNV’s GrEEn Incubation and Acceleration Programme to Peter - a 6-month business advisory support and training programme for businesses that were in the green sector or working at transitioning into the circular economy.
'The programme has helped me come up with a Business Model Canvas (BMC) and a Business Plan, which I am almost done designing. They also taught us about the circular economy-that is my best topic because they took us through how to make use of waste in the environment and leverage on that by making the maximum profit out of the waste. This energised me to do more of the composting, personal and self-made fertilisers and weedicide. Initially, I was doing composting but the idea to make organic weedicide came from being part of the GrEEn Incubation Programme'. Under the GrEEn Incubation Programme, Peter was also given a mentor to help guide the growth and direction of his business. "Uncle Ben has been very instrumental. My challenge was with documentation because I was only thinking of only farming and videos and learning and putting ideas into practice. He has helped me a lot by sending me templates and supporting me to do the sales plan, I would say he is the engineer of my sales plan'. 'I have come into contact with a lot of innovation and creativity and the story is one, all of us complain about funding. Yes, we do believe there is misappropriation or misapplication of funds but when coaching comes in, it clearly defines one’s usage of funds. It has kept us in a position where we can properly apply the little that we get'. Peter is driven to grow and expand his farm to create jobs for youth and the women in the Eshiem community who engage in wild fish farming in the water bodies as their source of livelihood.
'My plan for doing this is to construct more ponds. Now, I don’t want to harm the earth, initially, I was digging the earth to construct ponds but currently, I am using the tarpaulin, so you realise most of them are reusable tarpaulins which I convert into ponds. I intend to create more so I can employ the women in the community as pond attendants to do the sorting out, feeding, fertilising and harvesting which is less harmful than what they are currently doing in the rivers'. He also has a very clear plan and strategy to grow his organic vegetable business. 'When it comes to vegetables, I want to be the hub of organic vegetable farming in the country and over the next 5 years, I want to be known as the biggest producer of organic vegetables and fishes in the country. I have purchased a 40-acre land to farm pepper organically'. 'The vision was unclear. I was just following a passion, doing my hobby. SNV and the Incubation Programme have drawn the line and sharpened my business perspective. It’s more like a business now than a hobby'.
Meet Charlotte - A Young Entrepreneur Turning Used And Disposed-off Tyres Into Furniture
Charlotte Ofobiri is a participant of the GrEEn Incubation Programme, and has been receiving business advisory support and training from Women’s Haven Africa in the Ashanti region.
Meet Charlotte - A Young Entrepreneur Turning Used And Disposed-off Tyres Into Furniture
Charlotte Ofobiri used to make beads and fashion accessories. In 2017, Charlotte used up all of her savings to buy materials to make more of her products for a trade show. During that time, thieves broke into her shop and made away with all of her products. The 31-year-old single mother of one had just given birth then, and was devasted as her business and source of income collapsed. ’For a while, I was lost and really struggled to find an income stream to feed myself and my baby. One day, I was walking past one of the vulcanising shops when I noticed the car tyres lying around. It had rained and so there were mosquitoes resting on the tyre. I asked the guys around what they did with the tyres and he said, “nothing,” and that people usually come for them to burn. It was then that an idea came to me.’
Three years later, Charlotte, is now the owner of Byhezz Ventures. Residing in the Konongo community in the Ashanti region of Ghana, Charlotte is one of the few women in the region who practises innovative recycling and re-use of waste materials. She makes beautifully, hand-crafted furniture out of car tyres. ’I did a lot of research online and was always on the internet watching videos on how others were making good things out of tyres. I have always had a knack for crafts making and after senior high at Osu Presec in Accra where I studied Clothing and Textiles in 2009, I decided to start my own business; which is how I ended up making beads and ultimately, furniture from tyres.’ In 2020, Charlotte learnt about the GrEEn Project from a friend and decided to apply for one of its entrepreneurs’ programme training.
’SNV taught me how to price my products, how to maintain customers, identify my key customers, and create a good business plan. I have always had skills but lacked business management and sustainability (know-how), as well as a mentor to guide me. SNV, through GrEEn, provided these to me.’ Funded by the European Union through its Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa, the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project’s Incubation Programme provides six-month business support to green entrepreneurs. Currently, Charlotte has been selected as one of the successful applicants of the GrEEn Incubation Programme, and has been receiving business advisory support and training from Women’s Haven Africa in the Ashanti region ’The raw materials for Charlotte’s business are everywhere. You can go around any community and pick 20 tyres. This means she will not have any issues accessing these raw materials,’ says Adwoa Fosu Owusu Ofori, Founder and CEO of Women’s Haven Africa.
Today, Charlotte is a strong advocate of upcycling and promoting the growth of the circular economy at the local level. ’I believe that there is nothing like waste. Most times, people doubt that I made these furniture from car tyres. I am always eager to show my creations to these people and leave them in wonder. Other times too, people doubt that a woman made it, which I am always proud to prove that yes, a woman made these out of car tyres. I have become a role model for some of the women who have shown interest in learning what I do. They are proud that I am doing something that is so different from what society expects from women. It feels great to put value to something that people regard as waste and even better to make money from it.’
Specific Objectives.
About GrEEn
Four-year Action
Implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the United Nations Capital Development Fund.
Aim
Complement the efforts of the European Green Deal by unlocking Africa’s potential towards a green and circular economy.
Support
In partnership with EU, with funding of EUR 20 million from the European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa.
Key Targets.
The key targets of the GrEEn project are the following
10
Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have transitioned to green and climate resilient local economies
1500
Decent and sustainable jobs created by MSMEs for youth, women and returning migrants
3500
Youth, women and returning migrants have developed self-employment opportunities
70000
Youth, women, and returning migrants added to the Financial Inclusion ecosystem
GrEEn Incubation Service Programme.
The GrEEn Incubation Service Programme (GISP) supports businesses and start-ups who are at early stages of development (pre-revenue) to make better use of natural resources, be energy efficient, properly manage waste and pollution, among others, and operate profitable business ventures.
The GISP Targets Businesses in
Sustainable Climate-smart Agriculture
Renewable Energy and Water
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
GrEEn Acceleration Service Programme.
The GrEEn Acceleration Service Programme (GASP) supports more established SMEs (revenue stage) to develop investment readiness and operational excellence in order to scale up and grow. They will also be guided to adopt GrEEn approach to their operations, efficiently and properly manage waste and pollution, among others, and operate profitable business ventures.
Under GASP, Entrepreneurs and SMEs Will Get Access To
Expert mentoring and highly valued business advice
Innovative financial services opportunities
Market linkages with complementary service providers
Opportunities For Youth Employment.
Under the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE), GrEEn facilitates internships and job placements, hosts interactive and expert-led green job fairs and supports start-ups through ideation and business plan competitions.
Green SMEs
Mentoring
Under the GrEEn Mentoring Platform, experts, with a particular emphasis on successful women entrepreneurs, will be linked to recipients of the programmes. Mentors will provide specialised knowledge based on their field of expertise and strong networks.
Create relationships with critical partners and networks for scaling
Teach the entrepreneur how to balance positive cash flow and maintain accounts
Green SMEs
Green Investor
A GrEEn investor is a person or organisation that provides financial support to increase the growth and success of start-ups and businesses in the circular economy.
Support businesses to start crowdfunding
Scout for investment opportunities
Find Jobs in the GrEEn Ecosystem
See the latest jobs in the GrEEn ecosystem.
Social Facilitation & Extension Officer At MIRO Forestry Ghana
Accra, Greater Accra Region
View Details
Get support for the growth and expansion of your GrEEn business.
The GrEEn Project aims to support local economies through the creation and sustainability of green jobs.
Testimonials
Hear from GrEEn beneficiaries.
Rachael Gyan
GrEEn Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Employability Training and Intern
Western Region
Felix Appiah
GrEEn Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Employability Training and Intern
Western Region
Clementina Agana
GrEEn Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Employability Training and Intern
Ashanti Region
Rosaline Ahine
Winner, GrEEn COVID19 Innovation Challenge
Western Region
Abigail Amoako
GrEEn Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) Employability Training and Intern
Western Region
GREEN BUSINESSES
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