Partnering for inclusive economic growth and employment

South Africa’s economic challenges cannot be solved by one sector alone, and creating economic opportunities relies on many factors. The EDP influences key systems that contribute to a thriving economy and job creation. This includes coordinating partnerships across the three spheres of government to drive skills development, social employment, support SMMEs, and enhance capacity in informal economies.

Promoting sustainable development in the Garden Route

The Garden Route Development Partnership (GRDP), facilitated by the EDP brings together local municipalities, government and the private sector in the Garden Route District for the collaborative implementation of the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy and associated Recovery Plan. The EDP provides backbone support for the GRDP and capacitates partners towards effective collaboration for a resilient, sustainable economy.

Growth Coalitions: Partnering across Cape Town industry for inclusive economic growth

The City of Cape Town’s cross-sectoral Growth Coalitions, launched in 2022, enable partnerships between the City and private sector across different industries. The EDP convenes the Food and Beverage Sector Growth Coalition Platform as the initial pilot, which promotes structured engagements with the food and beverage industry to promote skills development, job creation and sector development.

Social Employment Fund learning and support network

South Africa’s Social Employment Fund, launched in 2021 under the Presidential Employment Stimulus and administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) creates ‘work for the common good’ by optimising partnerships between larger civil society organisations and informal grassroots networks. With the IDC and DG Murray Trust, the EDP convenes the Social Employment Network, a learning and support network that supports the Fund’s implementing partners by sharing information, documenting learnings and addressing challenges, while sharing learnings back to government to improve the management of the fund and future fund iterations. Learn more about the Social Emplyment Network.

Partnering for integrated waste and wellbeing economies

Like many global cities, Cape Town grapples with high volumes of waste and many of the City’s landfill sites have reached capacity. Building on the findings of the EDP’s partnering support to the City’s Coastal Park landfill site, the EDP is developing a city-wide strategy and programme for the City of Cape Town to integrate SMMEs into the formal waste economy, while enhancing collaboration within the City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate.

Towns Action Network for small town regeneration

South African towns and their surrounding regions face many challenges, ranging from persistent droughts to the outmigration of businesses and talent. The Towns Action Network is an action-inspired national learning and support network that connects changemakers and fosters local partnerships across sectors activate the potential and support the regeneration of small and medium size towns in South Africa. The network is funded by Embassy of Finland’s Fund for Local Cooperation, and lead by the EDP and seven Support Partners – Ranyaka, Kagiso Trust, Restaurare/ Citeplan, Karoo Development Foundation, Accountability Lab SA, Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI),South African Local Government Association (SALGA). Learn more about the Towns Action Network here.

Partnering for Adam Tas Corridor development, Stellenbosch

The 400-hectare Adam Tas Corridor – also known as the Stellenbosch Corridor –has the potential to integrate much-needed affordable housing, public space, schools and non-motorised transport along a major transport spine. The EDP is convening a partnering process with Stellenbosch Municipality, multiple landowners and other stakeholders to develop a governance framework and partnering arrangements to support the implementation of the corridor.

Food learning journeys in the Western Cape

The EDP supports the Western Cape Government’s ‘Nourish To Flourish’ programme by convening food learning journeys across the Western Cape, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) and the Southern Africa Food Lab. Learning journeys reveal challenges and opportunities within local food systems, with partners incorporating learnings into tangible programming and delivery through follow up engagements with officials and key stakeholders. Learn more about food learning journeys here.