South Africa - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Projekt NC aims to address inadequate housing in informal settlements and slums by providing prefabricated, modular housing units, focusing on fire safety, sanitation, affordability, and community building.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Project NC addresses the critical need for safe and affordable housing in informal settlements and slums. These modular, prefabricated homes offer a solution for low-income individuals who want to live closer to work but lack access to safe and sanitary dwellings. Key Features: Fire Safety: The design prioritizes fire-resistant materials and construction methods to minimize fire hazards. Off-grid Capabilities: The homes can be equipped with features like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems to function independently of traditional utilities. Sanitation: Integration of sanitation solutions like composting toilets ensures proper waste management. Affordability: The modular design allows for cost-effective mass production, making these homes accessible to low-income earners. Community Building: Projekt NC envisions creating connected communities with these modular units, fostering a sense of belonging and shared space.

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

Projekt NC aims to provide a dignified and secure living environment for low-income individuals and families. By addressing fire safety, sanitation, and affordability, this project empowers residents and contributes to the overall well-being of these communities. The goal is to address the challenges faced by low-income residents in informal settlements and slums. These areas often lack basic infrastructure, exposing residents to fire hazards, limited access to electricity, and unsanitary conditions. Projekt NC offers prefab/modular homes as a safe and affordable alternative. This solution caters to individuals who want to stay close to their jobs but cannot afford formal housing markets. The project envisions creating self-contained villages with improved living conditions.

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

Projekt NC offers several advantages for low-income communities: Improved Safety and Security: Prefab homes can be constructed with fire-resistant materials, reducing the risk of fires that are common in informal settlements. Additionally, these homes can be designed to be more secure, deterring crime and offering peace of mind to residents. Basic Amenities Integration: Unlike traditional informal settlement dwellings, I aim to incorporate essential features like sanitation toilets. This significantly improves hygiene and sanitation within the community, reducing the spread of diseases. Affordability and Accessibility: Prefab construction allows for cost-effective housing solutions. This makes Projekt NC a viable option for low-income earners who cannot afford formal housing but desire a safe and secure place to live. In essence, Projekt NC provides a stepping stone for residents of informal settlements.

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

Projekt NC targets low-income residents living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, specifically those in informal settlements and slums. These individuals often lack access to basic necessities like safe housing, electricity, and proper sanitation facilities. The project aims to provide these residents with: Improved safety: Prefabricated homes offer better fire resistance compared to traditional dwellings in informal settlements. Access to utilities: The potential for incorporating electricity and sanitation solutions can significantly improve living conditions. Proximity to work: Projekt NC caters to those who need to stay near their jobs but cannot afford formal housing options. Community building: The vision of building a village suggests the project might go beyond individual housing units, fostering a sense of community and shared space.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-07-01

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

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

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

Nomvelo Msimango: Background in construction, infrastructure, and civil work and a female entrepreneur who has worked with local property developers as one of the few female black sub-contractors.

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?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

3

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

By offering fire-resistant homes with proper sanitation facilities, Projekt NC promotes a healthier living environment and reduces the risk of fire-related injuries and illnesses.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The inclusion of proper sanitation facilities in the Projekt NC design directly contributes to this goal. However, broader community-level solutions for clean water access might be necessary.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

While Projekt NC may not initially provide electricity, it creates a foundation for future integration of clean energy solutions like solar panels.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Projekt NC can contribute to this goal by creating a more stable living environment for residents, potentially enabling them to pursue better job opportunities.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Projekt NC directly addresses this goal by providing safe and affordable housing options in informal settlements, contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization and innovative ways of infrastructure.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By offering affordable and safe housing for low-income individuals, Projekt NC helps bridge the gap between informal settlements and formal housing options, promoting social equality.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Projekt NC directly addresses this goal by providing safe and affordable housing options in informal settlements, contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Safe and secure housing can contribute to a sense of stability and community, potentially fostering peace within informal settlements.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Projekt NC is a commendable initiative that addresses critical needs in informal settlements. While it may not directly address all aspects of every SDG, it creates a foundation for a more sustainable and healthy living environment, contributing to several of the UN's goals for a better future.

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

4

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

6

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

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

05.08 Justification

Projekt NC is an innovative project that aims to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable housing for low-income individuals in informal settlements and slums. The project utilizes prefab construction, a method known for its efficiency and speed, and modular design, allowing for customization and scalability. We prioritize fire safety, sanitation, hygiene, and urban integration by integrating facilities within housing units. The project also aims to facilitate urban integration by locating units near employment opportunities and fostering a sense of community through designated spaces for interaction and shared resources. The durable materials used in Projekt NC ensure long-term value, reducing maintenance costs and promoting sustainable urban development. Compared to existing solutions, Projekt NC offers a holistic approach, providing permanent, secure housing, reducing relocation costs, and offering microfinance for housing. This innovative approach sets us apart.

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

Blockhouse, M Projects, Kwik Space, what sets us apart from them is that our initial goal is to change the lives of those living in slums and offer more affordable and sustainable homes as opposed to the long-term waiting list of RDP housing from the government. We also offer solar panels which is a solution to load-shedding and hygienic toilet system making these houses off grid living and innovative.

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

Yes, I ran a non-profit organization in my community and rural areas from 2017 to 2019 and went into Corporate Social Responsibility work from 2018 to currently working for a property developer that's where my idea came about as I saw there is a great need for the low-income class and opportunities that can be brought to these communities. In 2021, I was one of the keynote speakers at the BBCBE (Black Business Council in the Built Environment) addressing issues for young youth in the built environment. Nominated as one of the leading women in CSI for 2023. Currently work with young girls from communities facing difficulties when it comes to pursuing their dreams and career paths and mental well-being.