Sweden’s funded project to empower 200 Zim SMEs

Staff Writer
THE Green EnterPRIZE project being funded by Sweden has to date seen over 100 SMEs with competent business proposals finding an easy way into the world business, key partners, the International Labour Organisation’s country director,Hopalong Phororo has revealed.
Phororo was speaking in Harare recently at an awards ceremony held to reward the latest batch of contestants with excelling projects.
“The number of enterprises joining this initiative has grown rapidly, with 27 new winners entering our business development program today, and another 27, after the adjudication processes for the Southern Region, next month. Besides the winners, 60 finalists per region,” said Phororo.
Cumulatively, she said, the number of beneficiaries will reach about 200 SMEs with projects aimed at increasing the provision of green products and services that can result in innovative environmental solutions and new job opportunities, particularly for young people.
Also speaking at the occasion, Sweden ambassador Asa Pehrson appreciated the coming on board of several contestants.
“We take note of the improvements in the spreading of the word about the Green EnterPRIZE challenge compared to the earlier episode. We are particularly happy with the strategies employed to get the information about the challenge to all parts of the country in order to allow as many qualifying young people as possible to participate in the competition,” she said.
The Simuka-Phakama Green enter PRIZE programme seeks to address high levels of youth unemployment, low levels of formal and growth-oriented enterprises, and unsustainable production processes of small and medium sized enterprises in Zimbabwe.
It is being implemented by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, the Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, with support from the Government of Sweden.