JCI Malta and MEEE team up to launch sustainable entrepreneurship programme

The effects of Climate Change are changing the world more than ever before and as a result we are already observing negative impacts on natural and human systems including increased frequency in heatwaves, droughts, floods, forest fires and biodiversity loss, amongst others.

The main drivers for these effects are human and economic activities that release substantial carbon emissions, such as, fuel-based transport, fossil fuel-based energy consumption, inefficient buildings, excessive waste generation and the unsustainable use of our water resources.

Therefore, the need to rethink our consumption patterns and adopt more sustainable practises has never been more crucial.  Ultimately, we need to move towards an economy based on green growth which prioritises green investments as well as the creation of green jobs.

This is why, for the second consecutive year, the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise (MEEE), in partnership with Junior Chamber International Malta (JCI Malta), and with the support of Malta Enterprise and EIT Climate-KIC Malta Hub, launched Seedgreen 2.0. 

The Seedgreen Programme offers an opportunity to young innovators who would like to develop their sustainable ideas into viable start-up solutions which could contribute towards Climate Action efforts. The Programme offers tutoring as well as tailor-made mentoring which will guide and train participants towards reaching key milestones as they progress with their proposed solutions.

This is an opportunity not to be missed for all those who want to act against Climate Change and be part of the necessary green transition in our country.

Seedgreen 2.0 is divided into two stages: the Validator Stage and the Accelerator Stage. During the Validator Stage, participants will have the chance to attend sessions on Emissions and Climate Change, Sustainability in Business, Entrepreneurship, Finance and Marketing. These will provide a solid foundation as well as sound knowledge to grasp important concepts when working towards a start-up solution from scratch.

This stage will help participants formulate a feasible and actionable business proposal. Participants would then be given the opportunity to present their business proposals to a panel of judges where 6 participants will be chosen as finalists to progress to the next stage.

The Accelerator Stage will continue building on what was taught in the Validator Stage and will include further tutoring as well as individual mentoring. Finalists must factually show how their start-up business proposal will be implemented, the formulation of their business model, their mission and vision for their start-up, and how their solution will be effectively contributing towards Climate Action.

 At the end of the Accelerator Stage, the 6 finalists of the Programme will have the opportunity to present what they have learned and the start-up solution they have formulated to a panel of judges. The panel will select the three winners of the Programme who will receive pre-seed funding to help them launch and continue developing their green start-up solution. 

Those who are interested and want to apply or want to know more about Seedgreen 2.0 are encouraged to visit www.seedgreen.org where one can find the Programme guidelines, eligibility criteria and the application form. For more information, one can also call 23316229. Applications must be submitted by the 24^th of July 2022 at the latest.

The Seedgreen Programme is part of the national #ClimateOn Campaign, which was launched in May by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise (MEEE).

The purpose of this Campaign is to promote the necessary change in the lifestyle and processes of each economic sector, to reduce the impact related to climate change on the environment. In fact, the slogan of the Campaign itself is ‘Activate Change!’ For more information on the #ClimateOn Campaign can be obtained from the social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.