Integrating the SDGs into Social Entrepreneurship
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Countries have committed to prioritize progress for those who're furthest behind. The SDGs are designed to end poverty, hunger, AIDS, and discrimination against women and girls.
The creativity, knowhow, technology and financial resources from all of society is necessary to achieve the SDGs in every context. Nonprofit Organizations have a pivotal role to play in promoting sustainable development.
Kudzo Foundation has partnered with various organizations to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Our programs are guided by and aligned to (but not limited to) SDG 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 17. We hope to incorporate all 17 goals in the near future (by 2030).
Our Programs
PROJECT ID
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
- Target 16.9 By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
An ongoing program that has helped various South African citizens since 2019. We facilitate shelter, ID replacements, and social security to channel our beneficiaries into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
This program has complimentary stages such as education and skills training, all of which will help each individual to be reintegrated back into society.
We have partnered with the Department of Home Affairs, MES, Save The Children, HWW, University of Johannesburg Community Engagement Unit, and various stakeholders to ensure that this program is implemented successfully.
#GOAL4
Goal 4: Inclusive and equitable quality education
- Target 4.3 Affordable technical, vocational and higher education for all
- Target 4.4 Relevant skills for decent work
This program is in support of SDG 4 (Quality Education for all). It was inspired by the existing overwhelming challenges that students at tertiary level experience on a daily basis. These challenges include lack of registration fees, food insecurity and limited access to devices (laptops). These challenges often result in late registrations, malnutrition, missed deadlines and a high dropout rate. To combat this, #GOAL4 was established.
It is universally imperative for every young person to access quality education, whether at primary, secondary, or tertiary level. This is mandated by the 4th Global Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDG 4) that ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
South Africa stepped in the right direction in 2016 by introducing free tertiary education, through The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). NSFAS however, has recently reduced its funding by 10%, affecting around 87,000 students nationally. The above has made it difficult for some students to complete their registration on time.
Kudzo Foundation has established the #GOAL4 initiative, to address these existing socioeconomic challenges through sponsoring the registration fees of affected yet qualifying tertiary students in South Africa.
STITCHPRENEUR
Decent Work and Economic Growth," aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It focuses on achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women, youth, and people with disabilities, while also protecting labor rights and promoting safe working environments.
Key aspects of SDG 8 include:
Promoting inclusive economic growth:
This involves creating opportunities for everyone to participate in the economy and benefit from its growth, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Creating decent work opportunities:
Decent work refers to jobs that provide fair wages, social protection, and safe working conditions.
Protecting labor rights:
This includes protecting workers' rights to organize, bargain collectively, and be free from discrimination and harassment.
Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation:
This involves supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and creating an environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
Stitchpreneur is a journey where 10 unemployed individuals with a passion for the fashion and textile industry are afforded an opportunity to collaborate with Kudzo Foundation for six months. During this time, these apprentices will be equipped with knowledge about the industry to ultimately run a small to medium enterprise.
