Social entrepreneurship: learning from plants and paving greener ways

Business is not always for profit but can place social and environmental impact at its core: called social entrepreneurs. As a nonprofit organization prioritizing impact, we align closely with the principles in the broadest sense. Therefore, we were delighted to partner with the Anhalt University Social Entrepreneurship Workshop.

Alongside German and Tanzanian peers, we were invited to a lecture where students analyzed our impact business models using the Business Model Impact Canvas method. Though we had to be very critical with ourselves, this project really helped us to address our greatest challenge: sustaining projects successfully to maintain momentum.

The solution found by the students is just inspiring: we will learn from plants, which survive by creating a beneficial network for all stakeholders.

From Mwanza to Arusha

During a visit in Tanzania in the context of our Climate Week, we had the incredible chance to also visit social entrepreneurs from Tanzania at our headquarters. Baltazary Twati, a young businessman and CEO of Grin Makers Solutions, even invited us to his premises in Arusha town. With his company, he recycles plastic waste into sustainable bricks for building — literally paving the way into a greener future.

Meeting him and the other peers gave us the chance to serve as a connector and to integrate them into the Anhalt project. Kicking off the very first Social Entrepreneur Network in Tanzania! And the best: serving as a role model FOR German social entrepreneurs.