NETFUND GREEN INNOVATIONS AWARDS
Ensuring Start-ups Start Green
Ensuring Start-ups Start Green
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CONTENTS/OUTLINE
Introduction/About NETFUND
What is enviropreneurship?
What is a Green Economy?
The Business Case
National Commitments
NETFUND’s Program on Enviropreneurs
Program Mission and Thematic Areas
Case Studies (9)
Conclusion
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ABOUT NETFUND
Established within the EMCA of 1999; officially
commenced operations in 2008
Mandate: Awards, Research & Publications,
Capacity Building & Grants
NETFUND Awards Programs – Nature Challenge
Award & Prestigious Green Award, Green Innovation
Awards Phase I
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WHAT IS ENVIROPRENEURSHIP?
Starting a business, company or other organization
in a manner that ensures Sustainable Natural
Resource Management.
Enviropreneurs are entrepreneurs whose business
models pursue economic objectives whilst
addressing environmental pressure.
GREEN BUSINESSES
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What is a Green Economy?
The promotion of economic growth; while reducing
pollution and greenhouse gases emissions, minimizing
waste and inefficient use of natural resources and
maintaining biodiversity.
This requires the stimulation and promotion of green
investments in several sectors within the economy
Critical sectors in Kenya; Energy, Agriculture, and Social
sectors esp. Tourism
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RATIONALE/BUSINESS CASE
• Economic survey of 2012: 42% of Kenya’s GDP is
derived from NR-based sectors (Agric. & Forestry,
Manufacturing, Tourism etc.)
• Clim. Change (Main cause: Human Econ. Activity)
• Nearly ½ Kenyans live below poverty line (WB).
• The poor, esp. women are impacted by climate
change /degraded environment due to vulnerability
from direct dependence on the environment (Agric.
Charcoal)
----hence the need for alternative livelihoods-Ensuring Start-ups Start Green
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NATIONAL COMMITMENTS
1. Vision 2030: “…Newly industrializing middle income
country providing high quality of life..”
2. Vision 2030’s social pillar: “a just & cohesive society
enjoying reputable social development in a clean
and secure environment..”
3. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the National
Climatic Change Action,2013: “sustainable
exploitation, utilization, management & conservation
of the environment & natural resources” & “work to
achieve & maintain a tree cover of at least 10%”
4. MTP II (2013-2017):aims at “reducing environmental
stress”
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Sustainable
Development Must
Include Environmental
Sustainability!!
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NETFUND Green Innovations
Awards and Enviropreneurs
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NETFUND GIA Mission
To promote self-regulation and best
practices in environmental management
that will lead to green growth while
improving people’s livelihoods
NETFUND GIA identifies, recognizes,
celebrates, awards and nurtures
innovative economic initiatives that
uphold sustainable environment
management.
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Thematic Areas
ENERGY – Renewable
energy, energy
efficiency, alternative
energy, energy
planning esp. in
building design.
AGRIBUSINESS –
value-addition to
CONSERVATION
agric. Produce,
ENTERPRISES –
Post-harvest loss,
Water, Waste
packaging of
management,
agric. products
Eco-tourism and
and agric. Based
Conservation
business models,
Initiatives.
New farm.
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Case 1: TAKAWIRI Craft Enterprises (Kisumu County)
• Uses water hyacinth from L. Victoria (tourist attraction)
and re-cycled waste paper to make business cards,
book covers, envelopes and gift bags.
• The production process is eco-friendly as no chemicals
are used and water is recycled several times. The
project utilizes solar energy which is a renewable
source.
• Manages water hyacinth; invasive species in Lake
Victoria; main tourist attraction in the county.
• Annual Business Turnover: 18 million p.a; with a
projected growth rate of 10% p.a
• Currently employs 5 people.
Case 2: Art Youth Research Centre (Uasin Gishu County)
 A youth group (former street
children) who turn waste into
wealth (briquettes).
 Briquettes cost less and
produces less smoke compared
to conventional charcoal
 NETFUND supported group to
purchase 3 motorized briquette
machines; produce over 30
sacks of briquettes per day
@600
 Created employment for more
than 15 members of the group
through briquette making
 Also make soap and artwork
(bead work, fine art, moldings)
Ambition is to continue creating
employment opportunities esp. for
the youth and conserving the
environment
Case 3: Dajopen Waste Management (Trans-Nzoia County)
 Converts waste into a resource
to enhance livelihoods.
 The group manufactures
garbage enzymes (org. fert.)
and biocides from waste.
 34 employees/members of the
group, majority women and
young people, benefit from
income generating
opportunities
 Waste is recycled into 500 ecofriendly products; plastic bags,
water filters, organic fertilizers,
biocides and enzymes, baskets,
mats etc
 Sold 300 bags of fert. @1500
Has featured in the
Innovations catalogue &
obtained numerous local and
intn’l exposures
Organic fertilizer approved by
Kenya Agricultural & Livestock
Research Organization
(KALRO)
Case 4: Water Harvesting and Fish Farming (Kericho County)
 Project is on water harvesting,
fish farming and
establishment of tree
nurseries
 Supported by NETFUND to
upscale his project.
 Projects involves harvesting
run off water into ponds for
rearing fish.
 Sells over 2000 mature fish at
@ Kshs 400 after a period of
8 months.
 NETFUND to support
establishment of 2 more fish
ponds
Tree nursery has over
5000 exotic tree seedlings
sold @KES 25-500
Project has employed 15
direct beneficiaries
including 1 manager and 14
nursery attendants
Case 5: Aqualine distributors (Machakos County)
 Stanley Kirui started the
project that recycles waste
tyres to produce petroleum
oil- for boilers
 By-products of the process i.e
wires; are used in the
construction industry
 The enterprise has employed
2 permanent staff and 10
casuals who are involved in
the collection of waste tyres
at designated locations
Project has supplied
over 60 tons of worn out
tyres to Bamburi cement
company which was
used as energy in the
manufacture of cement
through pyrolysis
process
Case 6: Briquette Making (Kiambu County)
• Only 40 ton/Month and yet demand is high
e.g. primary customer BATA needs 450
ton/Month
• Employs 5 with potential for more employees
• NETFUND to improve his machinery to
produce more efficiently – current wears off.
• Current drying is rudimentary – relies on
weather. NETFUND to explore green house
protection and other drying methods.
• Main raw material is saw dust & maize cobs.
Want to explore others e.g. rice and coffee
husks
Case 7: Biodiesels Kenya (Nairobi County)
• Problem: Clogging of drainage system in
urban centers due to waste oils from
hotels; sanitation and health probs.
• The Biodiesel project seeks to
reconstitute waste vegetable oil from
restaurants/hotels into a renewable and
environmentally friendly product –
biodiesel.
• With support from NETFUND the
innovator has registered a company (
Biocycles Kenya Limited) based in
Nairobi , developed a business plan and
conducted a market assessment.
• Product tested on a tuktuk and is viable.
To get a big bioreactor.
Case 8: John Magiro, Rural Electrification
• John Magiro made his first
turbine out of wood when in
standard three in primary
school. Since then he has
not stopped innovating.
• The innovator uses recycled
bicycle parts to make a
fabricated turbine that is
producing 7500 kw of
power.
• Magiro is currently
supplying 56 households
with electricity @100 P.M
• NETFUND to help him
supply 10,000 households
John Magiro: Rural Electrification
Case 9: MULIRO FARMERS (KAKAMEGA COUNTY)
• The Muliru Farmers Conservation Group (MFCG)
is engaged in promoting participatory
environmental monitoring around Kakamega rain
forest; main tourist attraction in the county.
• MFCG promotes community based bio-enterprise
as an alternative non-forest derived income
generation to the community.
• This involves domestication and commercial
cultivation of the traditional medicinal and
insecticidal plant, Ocimum kilimandscharicum,
production and marketing of derived products.
OTHER EXAMPLES OF KENYAN ENVIROPREPRENEURS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw8Fsy1Z5_I
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… for listening!
Phyllis.ombonyo@netfund.go.ke
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