- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Special Initiatives
- Grant Amount $100,000
- Grant Period April 1, 2005–March 31, 2007
- Location Braamfontein, South Africa
- Geographic Focus Gauteng
About this grant
Planact works with poor communities, largely in informal settlements, to help them play a meaningful role in the processes of local government. The Participatory Local Governance Program was developed to build the capacity of several community-based organizations in the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces to implement local governance programs. This multiyear grant will enable Planact to provide technical assistance to at least four community organizations and at least two municipalities within informal settlements in and around Gauteng; improve intervention strategies and contribute to a continuous learning process among communities, staff and broader networks; use lessons learned in planning future programs; and advocate for policies to help the poor and disadvantaged sectors of the population.Accomplishments during the past two years included assisting an informal settlement in Zandspruit to secure a commitment from the City of Johannesburg for free water; supporting the establishment of a local community forum in the informal settlement of Zenzele; and conducting a training of trainers program to help 51 councilors and municipal officials in two districts in the Limpopo province to better understand their roles and responsibilities in local governance.