Current Projects
Projects are at the heart of SIFE VU. We believe that many people have the will to change themselves or their surroundings, but aren’t stimulated or facilitated properly enough to do so. Much added value can be created by connecting people and organisations. This way we try to unlock and develop the potential that often is there already.
Momentarily SIFE VU is working on the following projects:
bigmamma: an interactive internetplatform that connects and empowers youth sustainability initiatives worldwide.
Why? Our climate is changing, and more and more sustainable initiatives arise around the world. The youth sustainability movements are fragmented: initiatives, people and knowledge are spread all over the world. This results in double projects, organizations are reinventing wheels, and it is difficult to see what market needs are.
bigmamma unlocks untapped potential by providing one central place where passionate entrepreneurial-minded young people in the fields of climate and environmental sustainability can find overview, updates and insights from people and initiatives in their fields.
4LeafClover: is a chicken farming project that aims to economically empower 20-24 HIV positive widows in rural Gweru, Zimbabwe.
SIFE VU’s involvement will last no more than 2.5 years but long term sustainability is crucial. Thus training, involvement and partnerships with local NGOs are important for success.
The project will address all the 6 SIFE criteria: market economics, personal success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, environmental sustainability and business ethics.
4LeafClover is in the final stages of the first phase which includes feasibility studies, building partnerships, project outline and beneficiary identification. Direct costs will be made part of a revolving fund (interest free) which allows the women to empower others in turn!
Launch of a sustainable garbage disposal company for collection, processing, separation and recycling of waste. It will be launched with a pilot project in the area where Sandino (project leader) grew up.
If it's succesful we want to extend the project to the rest of Paramaribo and Surinam. Important here is the role of the Surinamese government.
The environmental consciousness of the population also needs to be increased. This can be done through public campaigns and in all ways to publicize this project. It is essential that residents are aware that change must come.
For the realization of this project we will be working with several Surinamese and Dutch partners like the Samarja Foundation and White Beach.
Goals:
- Making Surinamese people more aware of the environment
- Reducing waste and gases released by this waste.
- Selling of the wast
- Economic advantage for Surinam and the Netherlands
- Promotion of sustainable business in Surinam
- Recycling of waste in Surinam itself
Do you have a project idea? Do you see a need? Do you want to put theory into practice? Do you know a way to improve people's living standard? Let us know and start your own project today!
