Society of Entrepreneurs & Ecology (SEE)

In order to effectively promote the development of environmental protection projects and build a diversified organization structure, SEE and its members have established 17 institutions, including 7 foundations, 5 private non-enterprise units, 3 social groups and 2 social enterprises. Their jobs focus on desertification control, climate change and business sustainability, coastal wetland protection, biodiversity protection, nature education, Yangtze River protection, green supply chains, industrial development and other relevant environment issues.

In 2008, the SEE Conservation initiated the SEE Foundation in Beijing (the foundation was entitled to fundraise with the public in 2014). It has been committed to environment protection projects such as 100 Million Suosuo, Green starters and Growing Up Together, in which the former one is for desertification control and the latter two cultivating non-governmental forces for environmental protection and public welfare. In 2012, SEE founded the Mangrove Foundation (MCF), the first public fund-raising foundation for environmental protection initiated by a NGO, and it has grown to be a role model for coastal wetland protection in China. In 2016, SEE started the Hubei Changjiang Conservation Foundation(CCF) to facilitate the national strategy of “Yangtze River Protection”. In 2017, SEE founded the Xi'an Entrepreneurs Environmental Protection Foundation to protect the ecology of Qinling, a major chain of mountains in Central China. In 2018, SEE launched Shenzhen Aleshan Foundation, which brings into full play entrepreneurs’resourcefulness and innovative spirit, and provides sustainable support for public welfare organizations and projects. In 2019, SEE founded the SEE Environmental and Philanthropy Institute to train professionals and experts in environmental protection.

With over 900 entrepreneur members till now, SEE currently runs a total of 32 regional project centers to profoundly make the entrepreneurs, environmental protection organizations and the public participate in local environmental protection undertakings. SEE has directly or indirectly supported more than 800 eco-friendly NGOs and individuals in China, while encouraging the participation of 600 million people in environmental protection activities. SEE has been awarded with numerous honors such as the National Exemplary Social Organization from Ministry of Civil Affairs, Beijing Social Organization Demonstration Base, China-Europe Green Award for the Ecological Transition, and the title of 5A Level organization in China Social Organization Evaluation Grade, Ford Environmental Protection Award, Paulson Prize for Sustainability, Mother River Award of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League.

After 16 years since its founding, SEE has entered into a new phase of development. We are putting in a lot of effort to establish an inclusive platform to coordinate environmental protection projects in different places and push them forward. By carrying out the Green “Belt and Road” initiative and “One Vertical, One Horizontal” strategy, SEE is determined to mobilize more entrepreneurs and resources to invest, and call out the participation of a wider public into these eco-friendly undertakings. SEE hopes we will grow into a public welfare platform widely participated by the public for the benefit of environmental protection.