Sprott School of Business and Warm Heart Worldwide partner to advance sustainable development and social enterprise
Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Warm Heart Worldwide to advance education and knowledge in social entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
“I have been involved with Warm Heart, in one way or another, since the organization was formed and I can honestly say that the work they do is incredible,” said Dana Brown, dean of the Sprott School of Business. “Through hard work and sincere dedication, they are changing people’s lives; you can see it in the communities they serve.”
“I believe that Sprott can help them take their work, and their impact, even further.”
Based out of Phrao, Thailand, Warm Heart Worldwide is a non-profit organization working towards children’s empowerment, advancing sustainable livelihoods and ensuring the well-being of the elderly.
“The partnership with Sprott expands our capacity to improve the lives of marginalized communities,” said Evelind Schecter, co-founder of Warm Heart. “The expertise they bring will expand our reach with innovative solutions to the problems we are addressing.”
Through this partnership, the two organizations will undertake projects that address social issues and sustainability challenges, conduct collaborative research projects and establish new learning opportunities for students.
One successful venture has already been launched by the Sprott School of Business and Warm Heart – the Biochar Trust. Warm Heart works with farmers in parts of Thailand, Malawi and Kenya to convert their crop waste into biochar – instead of burning it, which results in smoke pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This new venture will allow the farmers to certify their biochar activities – which is a carbon negative solution – and offer carbon offsets to companies and organizations to help them meet their corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and ultimately the global environmental goals set by the Paris Agreement.
The proceeds from the venture will be distributed to improve the lives of the farmers and their communities. Students from Carleton’s Technology Innovation Management (TIM) program – along with TIM instructor Eduardo Bailetti – worked with Warm Heart to evaluate market opportunities and the existing landscape, and also assisted with the creation of a pitch deck for the business venture to aid in their efforts to monetize their work.
A team of consultants from the Sprott Student Consulting Group (SSCG) are also working with Warm Heart to restyle their monthly environmental newsletter.
“The potential for Sprott’s and Warm Heart’s partnership is endless, and I know that it will yield great things and make lives better,” Dana said. “It will also show our students the extremely valuable role that skills in business and innovation can play in doing so.”
About Warm Heart Worldwide
Warm Heart Worldwide is a non-profit organization based in the Phrao District in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They partner with rural communities to empower children, create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and ensure the wellbeing of the elderly through practical and accessible education, socially and environmentally responsible innovation and worldwide networks of support.
About the Sprott School of Business
The Sprott School of Business at Carleton University creates learning opportunities and scholarship that harness the potential and opportunity for business to improve lives worldwide. Drawing upon our values of compassion, imagination and purpose, we can contribute to a better world ahead through the continued provision of outstanding education, research and partnerships. Carleton University is located in Ottawa, Canada’s capital and hub of social and technological innovation.