Partnering for energy security, sustainability and equity

South Africa’s energy challenges require a systems approach that considers issues of inclusivity, safety, economy, and environment, among others. Collaboration across and between spheres of government, civil society and the private sector is crucial for a diversified and decentralised electricity generation system. The EDP brings adaptive partnering solutions for a rapidly changing regulatory environment that strengthen the renewable energy ecosystem and support the ‘just energy transition’.

Athlone Power Station: Stakeholder engagement for energy security

The coal-fired Athlone Power Station in Cape Town closed in 2003, but the site’s infrastructure holds significant redevelopment potential for green energy, industry and training. The EDP supports the City of Cape Town with stakeholder engagement to help develop a shared vision for the site’s future and inform the early design process. The partnering process is building strong relationships across sectors for efficient information sharing and collaboration in the years ahead.

Engaging civil society in Cape Town’s Climate Change Strategy

Implementing the City of Cape Town’s Climate Change Strategy will require collaboration between residents, business, organisations, academia, international partners, and across government spheres and. Civil society groups have a key role to play here. The EDP supports the City of Cape Town to engage productively with civil society in the climate and environment space around climate issues and towards implementing the City’s Climate Change Action plan.

Partnering to address energy poverty in Cape Town

Although Cape Town is largely electrified, many informal households do not receive electricity from the grid. The City of Cape Town is collaborating with businesses and residents to alleviate energy poverty. The EDP is working with the Centre for Sustainable Transitions (CST) to conduct stakeholder mapping and explore partnering opportunities to alleviate energy poverty in and around Cape Town, aligning with the broader vision of a ‘just energy transition’.

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.

Building capabilities for food systems resilience

Hunger and malnutrition persist in South Africa, with a fragmented government response and a heavy reliance on civil society to lead food relief efforts. Understanding the lived experiences of communities is key to addressing the systemic nature of food insecurity. The EDP works to improve coordination in the Western Cape’s food sector through partnering processes grounded in local food systems’ realities.

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.

The Western Cape Food Forum network

Between 2020 to 2023, the EDP convened the Western Cape Food Forum, which brought together multiple stakeholders to address the food crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Western Cape Food Forum network now convenes ad-hoc sessions on key issues, with a monthly newsletter for food system changemakers. The network remains active and ready to coordinate emergency responses when needed.