Building Inclusive Green Municipalities

This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of South African municipal governments to support effective service delivery strengthen women's empowerment inclusive local green economic growth and enhanced climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. Focus is given to the poorest regions of the country. The project is piloting local economic development initiatives in up to six Eastern Cape municipalities in collaboration with community stakeholders particularly women and youth. The goal also includes improving local policies and practices for climate change mitigation and adaptation and increasing the South African Local Government Association (SALGA)’s effectiveness as the national voice of municipalities. Project activities include: (1) providing training to municipal practitioners on inclusive local economic development and climate change adaptation and mitigation policies and practices; (2) developing local economic development strategies and sustainable asset management plans in up to six municipalities; (3) implementing accountability mechanisms that empower women men youth and vulnerable groups such as local council oversight social audits citizen feedback and issue-based scorecards to ensure open and transparent local governance (4) implementing knowledge management practices among SALGA members to promote the replication of pilot initiatives and disseminate information on innovation that reduces inequalities engages women in municipal decision-making and fights climate change.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) more effective innovative and inclusive local economic development services within targeted South African municipalities in particular for women and vulnerable populations; (2) improved asset management policies and practices related to climate change adaptation and mitigation; and (3) more effective institutional support provided by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to South African municipalities.