EDP Newsletter | August 2023
Economic Development Partnership (EDP)
Leading collaborative processes for collective change.
Relationships: the secret to good governance
The word ‘governance’ often conjures up laws that constrain or limit behaviours and actions.
At the EDP, we see governance as a powerful enabler of development.
Effective governance empowers people to:
Trusted relationships really matter when navigating complex or challenging systems. When we design governance systems, we focus on the relational aspects as much as the formal structures.
Read more about the EDP's work here.
I’m delighted to share some recent highlights, as we learn to strengthen governance.
Nishendra Moodley, EDP CEO
Building water resilience in the Western Cape
The Western Cape Water Users Platform builds on the findings of a multi-year hydro-economic study of the Western Cape’s water supply system. The platform offers a neutral space for action-focussed discussions between key water users, providing fertile ground for formal decision-making processes. Read more here.
Empowering livelihoods from the ground up
Positive stories continue to emerge from the Social Employment Fund (SEF). Now in its second phase, 36 civil society organisations aim to create 50,000 work opportunities and develop skills that uplift communities. The Social Employment Network, which we convene with the DG Murray Trust, promotes collaboration, skills transfer and shared learning between participants.
Read how the fields of conservation and urban economic farming are benefiting from the fund.
Putting small towns back on the map
South Africa’s smaller towns have historically been overlooked in national development programmes. The Towns Action Network – which connects and galvanizes changemakers to inspire small town regeneration - is entering an exciting new phase, thanks to the Finnish Fund for Local Cooperation. Read more here.
EDP resource: Partnering for the just transition
As South Africa shifts to renewables, how do we ensure a truly ‘just’ energy transition? Our latest publication ‘Getting from Good Intentions to Effective Action’, published in AFD Research, presents a collaborative and adaptive governance model that optimises local knowledge.
Call for Submissions: CSSI Symposium, Cape Town, 2024
Learning across sectors is key to partnering for impact. The Cross Sector Social Interactions (CSSI) Symposium (Cape Town, 3-6 April 2024) hosted by the UCT's Graduate School of Business is an exciting opportunity for development practitioners, policy makers and researchers focussed on the Global South to connect. Abstract submissions close 31 October 2023. We hope to see you there!