Collaborative and multi-stakeholder approaches create meaningful change
We build the relationships, systems thinking, and collaborative capacity needed to drive inclusive, sustainable, and accountable change over the long term.
South Africa is experiencing slow growth, high unemployment, inequity and unsustainable natural resource consumption.
Addressing these challenges in silos is ineffective: they are found in the interconnected social, economic and environmental systems of South Africa’s economy. A collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach can create meaningful change.
As a public-benefit organisation and collaborative intermediary we work with diverse stakeholders to solve complex challenges and build collaborative governance capacity within the systems that enable inclusive and sustainable economic development. Our work is particularly focussed across the following areas:
We provide tested methodologies, processes and tools that allow us to
- Convene dialogues and collective sensemaking in contested spaces towards common purpose.
- Co-design and implement innovative governance frameworks, collaborative platforms and learning networks.
- Design partnering frameworks that institutionalise enhanced partnering capabilities.
Energy & Climate
Partnering for energy security, sustainability and equity
Water Resilience
Building water resilience to strengthen water security
Built Environment
Collaboration for inclusive infrastructure delivery
Local Economic Development
Partnering for inclusive economic growth and employment
Wellbeing & Safety
Enhancing safety boosts economic growth and promotes community well-being.
Team
The strength in our team comes from the diversity of our backgrounds. With a foundation in systems change and facilitating cross-sector collaboration, the EDP team is effective across multiple issues and contexts. The EDP team is lead by Nishendra Moodley and Gill Cullinan.
Nishendra Moodley
CEO
Gill Cullinan
Operations Executive
Governance and FundingÂ
The EDP is set up as an independent not-for-profit company (NPC) governed by the Companies Act 71 of 2008 and a board of directors. We are also a registered Public Benefit Organisation. Our work is funded by international donor agencies, the Western Cape provincial government, and the City of Cape Town. Â
Nishendra Moodley
Nishendra is a nationally respected urban governance and development expert with over two decades of leadership in government, consulting and civil society. Currently CEO of the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership, he specialises in strengthening multi-sector collaboration to drive systems change, accountability and service delivery. Nishendra has led high-profile programmes like Future Cities South Africa and contributed to shaping post-apartheid local governance through extensive public sector consulting and working in government. His expertise spans public administration, policy design, monitoring and evaluation and organisational transformation. A published author and civic leader, Nishendra brings deep strategic insight, operational acumen and a collaborative, values-driven leadership style.
Gill Cullinan
Gill is a senior operations executive and strategic planner with over 20 years’ experience in sustainable development, stakeholder engagement and partnership management. She holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of Cape Town and has filled key facilitation and process design roles in water resilience, catchment management and climate justice projects. Gill has provided strategic support to high-impact initiatives, including Cape Town’s drought response, the Just Transition project with the Presidential Climate Commission and the Breede River Partnering Solution. Her work is grounded in collaboration, effective communication and long-term systems thinking. She brings a strong track record in cross-sector facilitation and strategic implementation.
Wellbeing & Safety programme
Enhancing safety boosts economic growth and promotes community well-being. The EDP uses collaborative, area-based approaches to enrich public sector capabilities and foster co-created solutions that address crime and violence. These approaches are founded on strong partnerships that focus on holistic, adaptive methods.
Lead: Rushka Ely
Development specialist in inclusive economies, urban resilience, and governance. Rushka leads multi-stakeholder processes, holds a master’s in Development Policy, and champions strategic, partnership-driven approaches.
Local Economic Development programme
The EDP influences key systems that contribute to a thriving economy and job creation by coordinating partnerships across the three spheres of government to drive skills development, social employment, support SMMEs, and enhance capacity in informal economies.
Lead: Ryan Fester
Urban practitioner focused on spatial planning, civic engagement, and policy. Ryan is a Mandela Fellow, published author and works to bridge grassroots insights with systemic change in underserved communities.
Climate & Energy programme
Collaboration across and between spheres of government, civil society and the private sector about South Africa’s energy future is crucial. The EDP brings adaptive partnering solutions to a rapidly changing environment that strengthen the energy ecosystem and help realise a just energy transition.
Lead: Michelle du Toit
Climate programme leader with 19 years’ global experience. Michelle champions locally led, equitable solutions, youth leadership, and resilience with expertise in MEL, gender inclusion, and communication.
Water Resilience programme
Resilient water systems are crucial for sustainable livelihoods and economic growth. South Africa’s scarce water resources and governance challenges prevent effective coordination, so the EDP strengthens relationships among water users and custodians to improve water governance for more resilience.
Lead: Lauren Arendse
Engineer with expertise in water resilience, stakeholder engagement, and urban sustainability. Lauren has led major strategies and facilitates systems-level planning across Africa with strong technical and facilitation skills.
Built Environment programme
The National Development Plan calls for partnerships and greater experimentation between public and private sectors to maximise infrastructure delivery. The EDP improves infrastructure planning and delivery for public benefit through inclusive partnering platforms and boosting capability to address structural problems across sectors.
Lead: Anna du Plessis
Urban development expert in infrastructure, mobility, and spatial justice. Anna is a Chevening Scholar with dual master’s degrees and supports strategic planning and governance in complex public sector initiatives.