Seed Awards

Through international exposure and institutional support received from its partners, the Seed Initiative assists young and promising initiatives in bringing their partnerships to fruition. The award is not monetary but consists of strategic, tailor-made support services with the aim to meet the development needs of the award winners.

The Seed Award recognizes and rewards two levels of winners: ten finalists who will be publicized and receive limited support through capacity development activities, and five award winners, selected from the finalists, who will receive the ‘Seed Award’ that includes support services to be delivered over a period of 6-12 months. These services depend on the nature and situation of the partnerships chosen as finalists and winners, and may include activities aiming to further build the partnership, develop its capacity, increase its exposure, build its networks, and identify sources of finance.

Who Should Apply?
Innovative ideas from any group in the process of planning and setting up a partnership project:

• Involves at least three partner organizations from different stakeholder groups such as small, medium or large businesses; community-based organizations; local or international NGOs; labour unions; women’s groups; indigenous peoples organizations; research institutions; public authorities; international agencies;
• Relates to the three pillars of sustainable development: environmental, social, and economic in an integrated manner;
• Has the potential to contribute towards the internationally agreed goals of the Millennium Declaration and/or the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation;
• Displays entrepreneurship in its broadest sense, and is driven by local actors;
• Helps to demonstrate innovative ways of doing business through partnerships – business as unusual – and has the potential to serve as inspiration to others; and/or
• Has a draft business plan and has partners that have already agreed in principle to work together.

Criteria:
The same criteria will be applied at all stages of selection:

• Entrepreneurship/innovation: The partnership takes an entrepreneurial or innovative approach.
• Benefits:
  The project has the potential to make a significant contribution, i.e. deliver tangible benefits, in the following ways:
  o Social benefits
  o Environmental benefits
  o Economic benefits
• Sustainability of the project:
  The project is likely to be financially viable and socially and environmentally sustainable
• Partnership:
  Partnership is the most effective way to achieve the objectives of the project.
  All partners will share benefits and risks.
• Local drive and focus:
  The project reflects local expertise, interests, and commitments.
  Local partners and/or their communities benefit from the project.
  Local partner/s is/are fully engaged in the project.
• Potential impact:
  The Seed Initiative support can potentially have a big impact in furthering the success of this partnership.

Submissions will be accepted from July 1^st until September 15^th 2006.

Early submission is highly recommended as this may allow initial feedback to be given to help you improve your application. Late submissions cannot be considered.