Publications

Community Investment Funding Models — by Matshweu Machedi — last modified 2009-06-10 15:59

A presentation given at the Thina Sinako LED Learning Encounters which focused on mechanisms to fund local communities.

Khanya-aicdd Briefing 2: Experiences of approaches to Funding Communities — by Alex — last modified 2008-10-07 20:06

This policy briefing draws from emerging findings of a study about Funding Communities and demonstrates that mechanisms to fund communities can have a major impact and at scale and can be an effective weapon to address poverty and inequality, and to empower communities to take forward their own development.

LED Policy Brief 7: Local Economic Development and the Biodiversity Economy: who benefits most? — by Alex — last modified 2008-10-07 19:33

This briefing explores how biodiversity can be the basis of viable economic opportunities that benefit the previously disadvantaged in rural areas. The relevance of a biodiversity economy for local government is to place it squarely in the context of the two core challenges of sustainability: the fight against poverty and exclusion, and a growing environmental crisis. In South Africa, these two challenges coalesce in a particularly unique way. South Africa is distinct in that its world-renowned biodiversity, which is under significant threat, coexists with a history of land dispossession that produced widespread rural poverty. A strategy to address both issues is now being pursued in the Western Cape and parts of the Eastern and Northern Cape, holding new opportunities as well as challenges for rural municipalities around the country in supporting local economic development (LED).

An investigation into the funding of communities: Volume 2: case studies — by Alex — last modified 2008-11-18 14:47

This Volume documents detailed reports on case studies of Funding Communities.

Sample questionnaire for LED Surveys in a Small towns — by Alex — last modified 2008-10-07 14:07

This questionnaire is intended for researchers investigating issues around Local Economic Development in Small Towns in South Africa.

An investigation into the funding of communities: Volume 1: lessons and best practice — by Alex — last modified 2008-10-07 14:46

This report looks at a variety of these models, and reflects on the lessons for promoting community empowerment and investment, and the potential role of civil society and policy in such processes. Volume 1 is the synthesis report, analysing the results from the various case studies and their implications. Volume 2 has the detailed case studies.

LED Policy Brief 6: From LED to SLED? Local government and the politics of sustainability — by Alex — last modified 2008-10-07 19:31

This Briefing argues that Local Government in South Africa is not appropriately configured to meet the sustainable development challenge. A major obstacle is the dualistic nature of regulatory frameworks - particularly in respect of IDPs and IEAs. Adopting a sustainability paradigm forces us to rethink the meaning of development and question the adequacy of an 'impact mitigation' mindset inherent in current policy frames. If Local Economic Development is pursued without embracing the real challenges of sustainability, outcomes will be short-lived as they inevitably come up against the long-term impact of previously unrecognised ecological thresholds.

LED Policy Brief 5: Furthering the Local Economic Development Agenda in Africa — by Rahel — last modified 2008-11-18 13:54

This briefing looks at global trends in LED policy making and practice and reviews the guiding principles of LED that are generally agreed by both policymakers and practitioners and how they apply in Africa.

LED Policy Brief 4: Findings on urban and rural pro-poor LED in South Africa — by Alex — last modified 2008-10-07 19:30

This briefing reports on a study of pro-poor local economic development in 30 urban and 50 rural municipalities of South Africa. Very different conditions can be seen ranging from the small rural to large urban municipalities but examples of more–or-less success can be seen in all size groups. 56% of municipalities have LED units, similar in reporting urban and rural municipalities, but in rural areas this is often only one person. There is a common view that economic growth will by itself ensure poverty reduction, which is dangerous in a dualistic society such as South Africa.

Pro-Poor LED in South Africa - A combined study of urban and rural areas — by Alex — last modified 2008-10-08 16:47

This study sought evidence of success, sustainability and the nature of what action local governments can support with regard to pro-poor LED. It also sought to build on existing research, and to undertake new research where there are specific gaps. It was based on an inital project whose purpose was “to have developed an understanding of how pro-poor LED is interpreted and applied on the ground in South Africa, placing specific emphasis on pro-poor outcomes and mechanisms which can serve to realistically lay a basis to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework. The outcomes will be of relevance to local stakeholders and have potential significance for the application of LED in other countries”.

LED Policy Brief 3: LED and Route Tourism — by Rahel — last modified 2008-11-18 13:47

This briefing highlights the significance of South African tourism and LED planners learning from the wider international experience in planning route tourism. In particular, these lessons highlight the need for developing cooperative networks and involvement of local government as well as the private sector; the importance of innovative product development and good quality infrastructural access; the value of community participation and of promoting local linkages with SMMEs; the critical importance of marketing and of support for marketing by local and provincial authorities; and of the need for a pro-poor focus.

LED Policy Brief 2: A framework for monitoring and evaluating Local Economic Development — by Rahel — last modified 2008-11-18 13:49

This paper provides an overview of key definitional challenges of the terms and mechanisms of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and outlines why it is needed. It summarizes its relevance within the South African context, current requirements for M&E, and outlines elements from international M&E experience from which to draw possible lessons.

LED Policy Brief 1: Investigating Pro-Poor Local Economic Development in South Africa — by Rahel — last modified 2008-11-18 13:55

This policy briefing summarises the results of a study of Pro-Poor LED commissioned by the World Bank and implemented by Rhodes University, Khanya-aicdd, and the University of Witwatersrand. Some key findings revealed that the definition and understanding of LED shows wide variation. LED is unevenly developed and operationalised across the South African urban system where major divides exist between the largest, well resourced and capacitated municipalities and the smaller urban centres. This is demonstrated by the variability of capacity, staffing and resourcing which severely limits impact. On the ground the results of LED interventions seem limited and the impacts are poorly understood and monitored.

A Framework for Monitoring and Evaluation of Pro-Poor Local Economic Development — by Alex — last modified 2008-11-18 14:09

This report draws on a questionnaire survey of the top 30 urban centres in South Africa which are used to provide an idea of how these centres are approaching economic outcomes, outputs and activities. It is based on a project whose purpose is to have developed an understanding of how pro-poor Local Economic Development is interpreted and applied on the ground in South Africa. The key questions for this project include: (i) What types of outcomes are municipalities using and how are they are appropriate, notably for pro-poor LED? (ii) What types of outputs are municipalities using and how are they are appropriate, notably for pro-poor LED? (iii) What types of indicators and targets are appropriate for these?

Investigation of Pro-Poor LED in South Africa - Urban Areas — by Alex — last modified 2008-11-18 14:13

This report is based on a project with the purpose of developing an understanding of how pro-poor LED is interpreted and applied on the ground in South Africa, placing specific emphasis on pro-poor outcomes and mechanisms which can serve to realistically lay a basis to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework. The emphasis was on urban areas and what local governments can do in terms of acting as catalysts or as a key locus of intervention.

Using the Rural Economic and Enterprise Development Framework for analysis and joint action for spatial development. Working Paper 1. — by Kim — last modified 2008-10-02 17:45

This paper, which has been published by the Natural Resources Institute, aims to elaborate a framework, which brings the four elements of the the Rural Economic and Enterprise Development (REED) framework together. These elements are: (1) Policies and institutional framework (2) Infrastructure, services and markets (3) Entrepreneurial competence, and (4) Stakeholder involvement and linkages. It attempts to explain these linkages and factors that should inform the application of the framework. It examines the role of the different stakeholders in fostering rural-urban linkages and pro-poor rural economic and enterprise development. http://www.nri.org/projects/reed/workingpaper1.pdf

The urban part of rural development: the role of small and intermediate urban centres in rural and regional development and poverty reduction — by Alex — last modified 2008-11-18 14:08

Although most low- and middle-income nations have experienced rapid urbanisation over the last few decades, there are large variations between nations in the scale and spatial distribution of urban change, including the roles and functions of small and intermediate urban centres within their national urban systems. This makes generalisations problematic and unhelpful in policy formulation, and points to the need to understand such variations and the local factors underlying urban change within different nations. The significant differences in how national governments define urban centres also limits the validity of international comparisons of urban growth trends.

SLSA 7: Local Economic Development and sustainable livelihoods — by Rahel — last modified 2008-11-18 12:25

This issue's theme is Local Economic Development and sustainable livelihoods. It provides a generic description of the concept of Local Economic Development. In addition, the newsletter highlights the links between LED and Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches. Karren Harrison of the National Department of Provincial and Local Government and Diane Abrahams of Khanya-managing rural change are the co-editors of this newsletter.

IIED Opinion: Pro-Poor Tourism: Harnessing the World's Largest Industry for the World's Poor — by Kim — last modified 2008-10-08 15:05

This paper suggests that pro-poor tourism strategies appear to be able to ‘tilt’ the industry, at the margin, to expand opportunities for the poor and have potentially wide application across the industry. Poverty reduction through PPT can therefore be significant at a local or district level. National impacts would require a shift across the sector, and will vary with location and the relative size of tourism.

Stimulating Sustainable Tourism in South Africa: The Addo Tourism System — by Kim — last modified 2008-10-07 14:17

This report documents the activities and findings of the South African component of Phase 2 of Stimulating Sustainable Trade. The Project aimed to explore the implications of growing trade-related environmental requirements on developing country producers, including how the costs and benefits of such trade are distributed along the supply chain.