Community Development Unit - Capacity Building for the Eastern Cape
Nelson Mandela University
- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Special Initiatives
- Grant Amount $80,000
- Grant Period January 1, 2009–December 31, 2010
- Location Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Geographic Focus South Africa
About this grant
This grant will continue support of the Community Development Unit based at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The university was established in 2005, as a result of a merger between the Port Elizabeth Technikon and the University of Port Elizabeth (incorporating Vista University). The unit, established 25 years ago, provides technical assistance, training and institutional support to community-based organizations that focus on health, particularly the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Eastern Cape province. Past accomplishments of the unit include supporting, mentoring, and training community-based organizations working in the area of HIV/AIDS and developing training materials to support its interventions. Plans for the next two years include documenting, disseminating, and replicating best practices; continuing to assist community health committees; translating guides and training materials into Afrikaans; offering university students practical volunteer opportunities to learn about community development; and reviving a program of short courses with University certification.