World Bank of Seeds for Food
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
willem
Last Name
van cotthem
Organization
Country
Belgium
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
Seeds for Food
Organization Website
Organization Phone
+3293568616
Organization Address
Beeweg 36 - B9080 ZAFFELARE
Is your organization a
Not registered
Organization Country
Belgium
Your idea
Name Your Project
World Bank of Seeds for Food
Country your work focuses on
Algeria
Describe Your Idea
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
To deliver the seeds, that we normally throw in the garbage bin, directly to poor families and communities in developing countries, and assisting them in setting up and managing small family, school, and community kitchen gardens is a promising new approach to sustainable development (particularly in arid regions).
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Yes
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Started as a local initiative in Belgium, the action Seeds for Food is now continuously growing into an international initiative. People appreciate the simplicity of the idea and its effectiveness in providing fresh food, full of vitamins and mineral elements, from waste material (the seeds we always throw in the garbage bin) into vegetables and fruits, in particular for the children.
Problem
Contacting the public in developed countries through the media, offering the possibility to become volunteers to set up a local or a national chapter of the World Bank of Seeds for Food. problem : organization of press conferences in different countries.
Actions
Up to now we are spreading the good news through our website and with the help of magazines and radio stations (the latest was the Canadian CBC). Many people are reacting positively and are waiting for the official launching of the World Bank of Seeds for Food.
Results
After recruiting volunteers for the national chapters seed collection campaigns will be organized. The World Bank and its chapters will identify communities suitable for kitchen garden projects. Funds will be used for national campaigns, shipment of seeds, evaluation missions etc.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Year 1 : Initiatives in different countries to recruit volunteers.
Year 2 : Networking the national chapters.
Year 3 : Launching of global actions to provide a maximum of development projects with seeds.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
We do not see major obstacles.
How many people will your project serve annually?
More than 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
In what country?
Algeria
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
UNICEF ALGERIA
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
No
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Addressing the public in developed countries to inform about the action.
Creation of national and local chapters of the World Bank of Seeds for Food.
Networking the chapters.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Noticing that refugees in S.W. Algeria were living for more than 30 years in camps in the Sahara desert without having fresh vegetables or fruits to eat and knowing that seeds of melons, watermelons, pumpkins and the like would grow if we created small family gardens for them.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
The World Food Program (WFP) is delivering food baskets to these refugees. UNICEF has a vaccination program for the children in the camps. No one took the initiative to set up a project for creating family gardens to produce fresh food. If sufficient vegetables and fruits can be produced, which is the case, a part of these can be taken to the market or sold in shops to stimulate local economy and generate income.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Email from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Family garden in Smara refugee camp in Sahara desert : zucchinis, red beetroot, carrots etc. | 779.12 KB |
 | 136 weeks agowillem van cotthem said: Thanks for the appreciation. Alliance with seed producers in Europe showed to be rather difficult. I guess they fear less sales, ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 136 weeks agoMoises Herszenhorn said: Congrats on the idea! Is it possible for you to develop alliances with major seed producers such as Monsanto, Syngenta or Dow? They ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 137 weeks agowillem van cotthem updated this Competition Entry. |
| 137 weeks agowillem van cotthem updated this Competition Entry. |
| 137 weeks agowillem van cotthem submitted this idea. |
