Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

This project "Shren" is pioneering venture in sustainable design, we craft artistic lamps from upcycled materials, celebrating African culture and promoting environmental stewardship and cultural heritage.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our project specializes in sustainable design, creating artistic lamps that celebrate African cultural heritage. We upcycle scrap and waste materials to craft lamps that are as much a piece of art as they are sources of light. Each lamp embodies creativity and sustainability, bringing Africa's vibrant spirit into everyday living spaces. Our mission is to promote African identity and environmental stewardship, adorning homes with meaningful decor that tells a story. Our business model focuses on profitability and scalability, starting with a high-quality lamp line and expanding into diverse decor items. Community engagement is key; we create jobs, provide skills training, and collaborate with local artists to ensure authentic, culturally rich designs. We plan to sell through online platforms, boutiques, and art fairs. We envision our brand as synonymous with African-inspired sustainable living, positively impacting consumers and the environment.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem our project addresses is the lack of sustainable and culturally significant room decor in the market. We aim to fill this gap by providing eco-friendly lamps that celebrate African heritage, reducing waste, and promoting environmental consciousness.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1. Cultural Preservation: Our lamps serve as a medium to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Africa, offering customers a connection to the continent's diverse traditions and history through their decor. 2. Environmental Impact: By upcycling waste materials into functional art, we significantly reduce environmental waste, contributing to a cleaner planet and promoting a sustainable lifestyle among our customers. 3. Unique Aesthetics: Each lamp is a unique piece of art, handcrafted to add an artistic and creative touch to any room. They stand out for their originality and craftsmanship, offering an aesthetic appeal that mass-produced items cannot match.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our project aims to serve individuals who appreciate upcycle art, creativity, and are eco-conscious. They are individuals looking for unique, meaningful products that reflect their values and lifestyle.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-11-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

As this is still an idea, there are currently no partners associated with the business venture.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

c) Industry (equipment, commercial, logistical and professional services, transport)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Our project contributes to the "No Poverty" goal by creating job opportunities within the local community. By upcycling scrap materials, we engage local artisans and provide skills training, thus fostering economic growth and providing a stable source of income for those involved in the production process.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Our project supports quality education by providing skills training in upcycling and sustainable design. This empowers individuals with valuable knowledge and abilities that can be applied in various economic activities, thus promoting lifelong learning and improving their economic prospects.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our project aims to contribute to the Gender Equality goal by designing policies and practices that ensure equal opportunities for women and girls. We plan to implement recruitment strategies that prioritize gender diversity and develop mentorship programs specifically tailored to support women's professional growth. Additionally, our project will actively partner with organizations that advocate for women's rights and empowerment. By fostering an inclusive environment from the outset and integrating gender equality into our core values and operations, we intend to create a positive impact on the social and economic well-being of women and girls.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Our project promotes decent work and economic growth by creating sustainable job opportunities and fostering an inclusive work environment. By training local artisans in upcycling and sustainable design, we help them gain valuable skills, increase their employability, and contribute to the local economy.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Our project drives innovation in the sustainable design industry by transforming waste materials into high-quality, artistic lamps. This innovative approach not only reduces environmental impact but also promotes sustainable industrial practices. By collaborating with local artisans, we build resilient infrastructure and support inclusive, sustainable industrialization.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Our project will reduce inequalities by providing equitable employment opportunities and skills training to marginalized communities. By engaging local artisans and ensuring fair wages, we help bridge economic disparities and promote social inclusion, fostering a more equitable society.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our project contributes to sustainable cities and communities by promoting the use of upcycled materials in home decor, reducing waste, and encouraging sustainable consumption patterns. By creating artistic lamps from scrap materials, we help make cities more sustainable, resilient, and resource-efficient.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Our project embodies responsible consumption and production by upcycling waste materials into artistic lamps. This circular economy approach minimizes waste, reduces resource consumption, and promotes sustainable production patterns. By offering eco-friendly products, we encourage consumers to make responsible choices.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Our project supports climate action by reducing waste and repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill. By promoting upcycling and sustainable design, we help lower carbon emissions and environmental impact, contributing to the fight against climate change.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Our project supports life on land by minimizing the use of raw materials and promoting the repurposing of waste. This reduces deforestation and habitat destruction, helping to protect terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. By using scrap materials, we contribute to more sustainable land use practices.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Our project fosters partnerships by collaborating with local artisans, community organizations, and sustainability advocates. These partnerships enhance our ability to promote sustainable practices, create economic opportunities, and strengthen community bonds, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

3

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

2

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

5

05.08 Justification

Our project is innovative because it combines sustainability with art, transforming waste into unique, culturally significant lamps. This approach is relatively new in the home decor market, which typically focuses on mass-produced items. Our lamps are an improvement on existing products by incorporating sustainable practices and celebrating African heritage. The demand for eco-friendly and culturally meaningful products is growing, and our project meets this need by offering distinct, sustainable decor options that aren't widely available.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Potential competitors include mainstream home decor brands and artisanal lamp makers. What sets us apart is our focus on sustainability and African cultural heritage. We upcycle waste materials into artistic, eco-friendly lamps, a niche not fully exploited by competitors

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

I was involved in the organisation of a free beekeeping training programme at Suhum in the Eastern region of Ghana, where we trained a group of females in sustainable beekeeping.