146 agrarians started training on SEED 2.0
On April 4, training on the free educational program SEED 2.0 was launched. 146 participants have already started training on the project. The strongest business ideas in the final will receive financial support.
SEED 2.0 is an educational project of the UN Global Compact Ukraine, which is implemented with the support of PepsiCo Ukraine and funding from the PepsiCo Foundation. The project helps develop small agribusinesses and implement the best business ideas in the agricultural sector.
The solemn event was opened by a motivational speech by Tetiana Sakharuk, CEO of the UN Global Compact Ukraine. From the first day of training, program participants will learn what sustainable development is, and as a result, the sustainable component will be mandatory for all projects admitted to pitching. Tetiana explained it:
“Sustainable development is about the future of Ukraine, because it will provide an opportunity to rebuild Ukraine better. Sustainable development is about love, love for one’s business, when everyone wakes up to make their business, their community, and Ukraine stronger and better. We are in SEED 2.0. we help entrepreneurs build business according to the principles of sustainable development, because Ukraine is our country”.
Andrea Pont, PepsiCo Foundation Lead in Europe, supported SEED 2.0 participants at the start of the training:
“It is extremely important for me to be at the opening of SEED 2.0 today. The mission of Pepsico and the Pepsico Foundation is to help and improve the life the communities in which we operate. Today, Ukraine is one of our priority directions. We are trying to achieve measurable results, and thanks to cooperation with the UN Global Compact Ukraine, we are confidently approaching them! I am grateful to everyone, because each of you really changes the world for the better!”
The PepsiCo Ukraine team, a constant SEED partner, also participated in the program’s launch. Alina Matkivska, Head of Corporate Communications at PepsiCo Ukraine, is convinced:
“In Ukraine, agriculture has a huge potential for the development and realization of entrepreneurs — talented, ambitious, aimed at new achievements. The SEED project helps such entrepreneurs. I am glad that you came to our project. This means that we as a country are focused on future and development despite the challenges. For our company, sustainable development is not a theory, but the basis of a business strategy. We work on sustainability in three areas: supply chain, agriculture and our products. We urge all SEED 2.0 participants to implement sustainability practices in their work right now.”
Serhiy Krivich, Head of Agro Procurement Dpt. at PepsiCo Ukraine, wished the second wave of SEED participants good luck and the acquisition of maximum knowledge and skills during their studies. He also told about the exact actions of PepsiCo in the renewable agriculture field:
“We are working to preserve the fertility of our soils. Every year, we reduce emissions from our activities and pay maximum attention to the preservation of water resources”.
Nothing inspires more than the example of someone who has walked the path that SEED members have just embarked on. Iryna Barzo, the winner of last year’s SEED wave, shared her learning experience with the project participants:
“I think all the participants of the first wave will agree with me that in 2022, when we were very painfully experiencing the beginning of the big war, SEED gave us the strength to recover and continue our work. I came to the project with an invention — an electric car for picking berries. After SEED and participation in other projects, it was possible to scale. Now people can buy or rent such an electric car, which is an unprecedented success for us. I wish the participants of the “new season” to get the most out of their studies. Because it’s worth it!”.
Three groups of participants will undergo online training on the SEED 2.0 project from the beginning of April to the end of June. In July and August, they will improve their business plans with mentors. Preparation for the final pitching of the project will take place in September.
In October, the final event of the SEED 2.0 project will be held, at which the selected participants will present their business plans to the jury. After that, the project winners will be selected and will receive grants.
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