Fetola launches initiative to boost green economy

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Partnering with J.P. Morgan, the Fetola #JustAddGreen SME accelerator programme starts in Gauteng in August 2015. According to stakeholders, the programme is the start of a long-term national strategy which will engage government, corporates and other role players keen to support the SA's emerging green economy.

Fetola's #JustAddGreen initiative aims to stimulate and strengthen emerging businesses to become environmentally sustainable suppliers to corporates, and successful businesses in their own right.

Growing awareness

"Interest in the green economy is rapidly increasing amongst citizens who recycle, reduce energy usage and strive to eat healthier food. There is also a growing awareness in sustainable practices in South Africa from government, the corporate sector and finance houses alike, making this a timely initiative. In terms of what makes a business green, this is open to various interpretations and from our side we invite any environmentally value-adding businesses to apply," explains Fetola director, Catherine Wijnberg.

According to Wijnberg, #JustAddGreen is in an ideal position to facilitate links between SMEs and corporate supply chains that are looking to source value-adding suppliers, or keen to add green, eco-friendly or organic elements to their bottom-line reporting. The initiative has been designed to allow corporate partners to satisfy both their B-BBEE performance targets (including enterprise and supplier development targets) and environmental performance targets.

Using a holistic business support model developed by Fetola, SMEs will be supported in their businesses to prepare them for rapid growth and, where appropriate, entry into the corporate supply chain. The programme will offer training, mentorship, personalised consulting support and access to business tools, templates and resources.

Long-term solutions

"We are seeing increasing numbers of green SMEs approaching us to join our acceleration programmes, seeking long-term solutions to growing pains such as lack of systems, costing and pricing challenges, poor sales, staff productivity problems and the like," says Chantal de Kock, national E&SD programme manager at Fetola.

"That is why we have partnered with J.P. Morgan as part of their drive to stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation. In the past, SMEs on our programmes have achieved significant results, including access to new markets, average growth of 65% per annum and most importantly a significant 94% long-term survival rate, making these programmes a viable option for elite entrepreneurs nationally," De Kock adds.

Small businesses based in Gauteng that have a green sector or sustainability focus and have been in operation for at least nine months are invited to apply. There are 25 places available in the first phase of the programme. The application process is open until 8am on Monday, 17 August 2015.