What's Ben & Jerry's 'Project Mootopia' all about?

We often shout out about the big businesses doing great things through our Wins of the Week – but we never want to forget the smaller, newer, independent companies who get started on the right foot. The ones who prioritise purpose over profits from day dot.

So this week's newsletter features one of those wonderful new businesses, as well as an interesting project from Ben & Jerry's, and a unique commitment for Pride month.

As always, we'd love to remind you that we publish a daily source of positive news on?Smiley News?– featuring companies, as well as individuals who are going above and beyond to support others in our world. You can?sign up to our weekly newsletter here.

So, let's get to it!

Beaded jewellery brand puts wildlife at forefront

In 2018, Izzy Berner signed up to run the London marathon for?Save the Rhino. As an avid wildlife fanatic, she was committed to the cause, but needed to find a way to fundraise enough for her spot. So, she came up with the unique idea of making beaded necklaces and selling them on Depop – with all profits going to her marathon campaign. Fast forward a few years, and Rhimani is now a purpose-driven jewellery brand donating money to wildlife conservation charities and empowering women in Nairobi. Find out more.

What is Ben & Jerry's 'Mootopia' project?

Ben & Jerry's is on a mission to reduce dairy greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. Its latest project??Project Mootopia.?Unilever’s €1 billion?Climate & Nature Fund?is helping their brands take meaningful action to protect nature – and Project Mootopia is supported by the fund. Because dairy ingredients account for more than 50% of Ben & Jerry’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the brand is focusing on dairy farms as the best opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint. Read more.

$250,000 donation to 25 LGBT+ businesses

The Human Rights Campaign?(HRC) has launched its third year of?Queer to Stay, an initiative to support LGBTQ+ owned businesses. In collaboration with Showtime Networks Inc, the Queer to Stay initiative focuses on businesses that are owned by, or support and empower, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women and people of colour. Now, in 2022, Queer to Stay’s budget has been increased to $250,000, which is going to be distributed between at least 25 LGBTQ+ businesses. Read more about the project.

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