Samoa Business Hub (SBH), in partnership with the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) hosted a two-day Incubator orientation and kick-off-workshop for the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program on the 22nd & 23rd of June 2023 at the Samoa Business Hub Conference Room, Saleufi. Six Samoan green entrepreneurs were selected for the 10-week Incubator Program. These diverse green entrepreneurs focus on agriculture, manufacturing & handicrafts, sustainable tourism and transport, circular economy, and information technology.
More than 12 guests and participants were formally welcomed by the SBH Special Project Manager, Mr. Amituanai Lameko Asora and Ms. Esther Bates, GGGI’s Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network Project Manager who joined virtually from Fiji to officially open the program. This two-day kick off workshop delivered the first four training modules on sustainability principles in the Pacific and design thinking. The workshop brought together like-minded Samoan Green Entrepreneurs to learn, refine and validate their Green Business Ideas. The incubator is a blended training, mentoring, coaching and networking program which is built around the social lean canvas, impact and financial through each module dedicated to one step of building out participant’s sustainable green enterprise plan.
The regional Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) is a 3-year project implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to support green entrepreneurship in six Pacific Island countries. The program aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate sustainable development goals.
Speaking on behalf of GGGI’s funding partner, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Mr. Fahad Al-Dehaimi, Head of International Organizations at QFFD wished the cohort best of luck in their green entrepreneur’s journey. He said in his recorded remarks, “The incubator is designed to provide you with tools, guidance and support needed to navigate this journey. We eagerly look forward to seeing the incredible innovations that will emerge from this cohort.”
Ms. Esther Bates, GGGI’s Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network Project Manager, said during her remarks, “building support networks is crucial for all entrepreneurs, therefore I would like to encourage you to be proactive and go out of your comfort zone to build strong relationships with your mentor, your coach, your fellow greenpreneurs both in Samoa and across the region.” Ms. Bates wished everyone all the best on behalf of GGGI and acknowledged its implementing partner, the Samoa Business Hub for partnering with GGGI to implement the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network program over the past 3 years.
About Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD):
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is a Qatari public institution committed, on behalf of the State of Qatar, to implement foreign aid projects by international best practices and standards.
Since 2012, QFFD has been providing aid to many countries in accordance with the international cooperation goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Its primary goal is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development by addressing global priority issues in education, health, and economic development. In this context, priority is given to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
1. SDG 3: “Ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all”;
2. SDG 4: “Ensuring fair and inclusive education for all and enhancing lifelong learning for all”;
3. SDG 8: “Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and keeping full and productive employment and decent work for all.”
To realize the optimal development impact, QFFD projects are also designed to have cross-cutting co-benefits within SDG (2) on “Zero hunger” and SDG (6) on “Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” in addition to SDG (17) on “Partnerships to Achieve Goals.”
QFFD cooperates with many reputable actors through strategic partnerships both locally and internationally. These include Civil Society Organizations, government agencies, UN agencies, and the private sector.
About Samoa Business Hub (SBH):
Formerly known as SBEC, the Samoa Business Hub’s mandate is to provide assistance to all businesses in Samoa with the exception of multinationals; however, its main target are the small enterprises.
“Your Business Growth is Our Priority”