OECD LEED Forum on partnerships and local development Project fiche

SOUTH AFRICA Name of the project Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (EDP)

Background and rationale The scale of the socio-economic challenges we face is beyond any single sector, institution, discipline or sphere of government. A collaborative approach is required to deal with complex multi-actor settings, diverse and competing interests, and fragmentation of the development system. Structured partnerships are necessary to create sustainable platforms for dialogue, trust building, agenda setting, resource- mobilisation and joint action. Collaborative intermediary organisations can create safe “in-between spaces” for the creativity, experimentation and innovation needed to steer and guide change.

Aims and objectives The EDP seeks to improve the performance of the and Western Cape regional economic development system, by creating and sustaining partnerships between economic stakeholders, in support of the goal of creating a resilient, inclusive and competitive region, thus contributing to ’s national economic success.

Timeframe Established April 2012 (Antecedent founded 1999).

Budget and source of Western Cape Provincial Government, , other local and district municipalities, SA financing Government, private foundations and private sector.

Human resources 12 full time staff, plus secondees and interns.

Activities Partnerships practices - Build: Brokering relationships and formalising agreements between institutions; Convene: Bringing together stakeholders to achieve a common purpose; Design: Shaping the architecture of a partnership or partnership process; Facilitate and support: Advisory function, contribute learnings, best practice and collaborative leadership development; Manage: Provide an operational function and secretariat to partnerships; Monitor and evaluate: Conduct analysis and identify recommendations for a partnership or system improvements; Teach and share knowledge: Establish modules and curricula with regard to leadership and partnership methodology and practice.

Success factors Commitment to shared values; collaborative leadership; clear division of labour to avoid competing and overlapping mandates; getting partners to deliver on their mandates in a collaborative way; establishment of neutral platforms to provide a safe space to establish a shared vision, common agenda and joint action; information and knowledge sharing; mutual support and accountability; appreciation of independent thought.

Results Successful dialogue and visioning process in a highly contested sector, e.g. Future of Agriculture and Rural Economy (FARE); Successful establishment of Business meets Government platforms on regional energy security and better business climate, Regional Communicators’ Forum/ Economic Brand Partnership, Regional Innovation Network, South Cape Economic Partnership, Better-Practice Farming Network; Demand-driven requests for partnering advisory services from municipalities, business associations, NGOs and social movements.

Partners The EDP is a independent, non-profit, collaborative intermediary organisation that works with a variety of partners including Western Cape Government, City of Cape Town, regional Municipalities, Government Technical Advisory Centre, Economies of Regions Learning Network, Department of Science and Technology, regional business leaders and associations, regional universities and research centres, social movements, NGOs, trade unions and development agencies.

Project website http://www.wcedp.co.za/

Contact person Dhiresh Ramklass: [email protected] National level contact: Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) and Economies of Regions Learning Network (ERLN) –

Andrew Boraine, CEO: [email protected] Partnership coordinators at regional/local level: EDP Board, chaired by Ms Barbara Hogan, former Cabinet Minister

Material of the 11th Forum annual meeting “Local Leadership for Inclusive Growth ", Manchester, , 24-26 June 2015