Sustainable agriculture creates
jobs.
The non-profit organization SEED was founded in 1998 and works at the intersection of education, sustainability and social change. The focus is on practical permaculture and environmental education, as well as community-oriented entrepreneurship.
Between 2009 and 2012, SEED built open-air classrooms at schools across the country, linking environmental education with community development. At the request of graduates, Seeding Futures was then created – a program that opens up new paths to employment, ecological engagement and personal responsibility for young people.
In South Africa, over 60% of young people are unemployed – especially in structurally weak regions such as the Cape Flats. At the same time, climate change, droughts and heat waves are exacerbating the social emergency.
SEED recognized the need to combine ecological education with labor market integration early on. The program strengthens both job opportunities and the resilience of communities to environmental crises.
The 19-week training program provides unemployed young people with practical knowledge in climate resilience and permaculture design. The goal is to create sustainable career prospects in the green economy.
The participants learn how to make home gardens and neighborhood structures resilient and gain practical work experience through cooperation with local businesses. Some graduates have already found jobs in the environmental sector. One example: Easy Peasy Enterprise, founded by participants, which has created jobs in Mitchell's Plain and promoted local vegetable cultivation.
Thanks to funding from the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation, training courses, salaries, materials and operating costs are financed.
Leigh Brown
Mail
Website: https://seed.org.za/pages/visit-seed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedcommunitysa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SEED.community
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@seed4977
