About the ProjectProject EMBRACE is an initiative of the South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC), designed to economically mainstream Black women and youth through participation in South Africa’s growing green economy. Through an integrated ecosystem approach, the project strengthens entrepreneurship, builds skills, improves access to markets, and supports job creation across key green sectors including renewable energy, sustainable construction, and waste management. |
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Why Project EMBRACE Matters
Despite increasing global demand for sustainable solutions, Black women remain underrepresented in green industries due to systemic barriers such as limited access to funding, markets, and leadership opportunities.
Project EMBRACE addresses these challenges by enabling inclusive participation, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting a just green transition.
What We Aim to Achieve
Increase participation of women and youth in the green economy
Strengthen access to supply chains and markets
Strengthen access to supply chains and markets
Promote gender-responsive and sustainable business practices
Build a resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem
Our Approach
Project EMBRACE is delivered through a set of interconnected components that support skills development, enterprise growth, and market access.
Women in Green Construction and Waste Management Practices (WIG)
The Women in Green Construction, Waste Management and Renewable Energy (WIG) Programme is a specialised business development initiative designed to strengthen the competitiveness of Black-owned businesses operating, or seeking to operate, within South Africa's growing green economy.
Gender-Responsive & Green Transformation for SMME’s (GR-GT)
The Gender-Responsive Green Transformation (GR-GT) Programme is an introductory business development programme that equips entrepreneurs and MSMEs with the knowledge and practical tools to build businesses that are inclusive, environmentally sustainable and commercially competitive.
Greening the Global Export Accelerator Component (G-GEAP)
The Greening the Global Export Accelerator Programme (G-GEAP) is a flagship business acceleration initiative under Project EMBRACE, designed to strengthen the global competitiveness of Black-owned businesses, with a primary focus on Black women-owned enterprises operating in the green economy.
Women’s Empowerment: Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy (WEFL)
The WEFL programme equips women entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners with the skills to succeed in today’s competitive business environment. Over 8 weeks, participants gain practical knowledge, industry insights, and hands-on experience while exploring opportunities in the green economy. The programme empowers women to strengthen their entrepreneurial capabilities, build valuable networks, and develop sustainable, future-ready businesses.
CADET Programme (Workplace Learning)
The CADET Intrapreneur Entrepreneur Programme is an innovative youth development initiative implemented by the South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC) through Project EMBRACE, designed to equip young people with the mindset, skills and practical experience needed to succeed as employees, innovators and future entrepreneurs.
Enterprise and Supplier Development Community of Practice (ESD CoP)
The Enterprise and Supplier Development Community of Practice (ESD CoP) is a collaborative platform that brings together Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) practitioners from the public and private sectors to strengthen professional practice, encourage knowledge sharing and contribute to the development of a more effective and inclusive enterprise development ecosystem in South Africa.
