Key development systems
The EDP works to achieve a better quality of life for all through sustainable development. The EDP enhances the collaborative capabilities of civil society and government to engage in collaborative and adaptive governance within specific key development systems. These key systems -reflected in the EDP’s programmes - abound in opportunities to partner and have a high payoff of collaboration.

Energy Resilience

Infrastructure
Economy

Water Resilience
EDP PROGRAMMES
Economy
Sustained economic growth is needed to build an inclusive economy that provides opportunities for all. Driving growth and investment requires resolving constraints that sit across a range of stakeholders in the public and private sector. The EDP’s Economy Programme builds partnerships between government and business to address these constraints, and co-develops interventions that create inclusive employment.
Examples of our work:
Supporting growth coalitions across industries in the Western Cape
The City of Cape Town’s Growth Coalitions strengthen public–private partnerships to drive economic development. The EDP pilots the Food & Beverage Sector Growth Coalition, promoting skills development, job creation, and sector growth, while supporting inclusive economic opportunities and unlocking breakout growth in Cape Town’s food and beverage industry.
Convening the Social Employment Network to support learning
The Social Employment Network brings together almost 40 Strategic Implementing Partners in a national community of practice to share learning and strengthen the governance of the Social Employment Fund. Managed by the IDC, the Fund has created over >170,000 community-benefiting jobs in healthcare, education, food security, arts and more across South Africa.
Promoting sustainable development in the Garden Route
The EDP supported the Garden Route Development Partnership to strengthen collaboration between municipalities, business, and civil society in a complex two-tier government system. Building on the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy, the project developed capabilities, fostered partnerships and piloted cross-boundary resource-sharing to deliver collective impact at a regional scale.