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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Social Development Resource Centre has been designed to mobilise resources to Non-Profit Organisations, Social Entrepreneurs and Change Agents with an emphasis on development initiatives in Rural Communities in order to address the root causes of poverty while simultaneously contributing towards Municipal Integrated Development Plans and Local Economic Development strategies in a region. The initiative is a unique amalgamation of best practices, proven to accelerate sustainable development by means of a holistic integrated partnership based development approach.

1. Background

Continued urban migration contributes to an increase in urban unemployment, growing informal settlements, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence and criminal activities. This phenomenon places tremendous socio-economic and environmental demands on a city’s resources and on society as a whole.

Without strategic intervention involving urban and rural resource integration and Public Private Non-Profit sector partnerships, socio-economic and environmental challenges continue to increase faster than the solutions, accelerate exponentially and become increasingly unmanageable, contributing towards a growing crisis and continued poverty. This will undoubtedly be to the detriment of present and future generations.

This growing phenomenon is the motivation behind the Social Development Resource Centre (SDRC) and its regional intervention strategy

1.2 Project Description

The Social Development Resource Centre initiative has been designed to consist of:

1. A City based Social Development Resource Centre, responsible for showcasing all development projects in the Western Cape as well as researching, promoting and providing access to new innovative ideas, best practices, project management tools, start-up mentorship and networking opportunities to Social Entrepreneurs, Change Agents, Non-Profit Organisations, Community Based Organisations and interested parties.

2. A Mobile Development Unit, responsible for mobilising resources to Social Entrepreneurs, Change Agents and Community Based Organisations as well as promoting and facilitating Public Private Non–Profit sector partnership initiatives capable of complimenting municipal Integrated Development Plans and Local Economic Development strategies in rural areas.

3. Rural based Multi-service Centres For Innovation responsible for linking urban and international resources to Community Based Organisations, Social Entrepreneurs, Change agents, Small and Micro Enterprises and Artists and Crafters.

1.3 URBAN AND RURAL RESOURCE INTEGRATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

The SDRC is committed to establishing urban and rural Private Public Non-Profit sector partnerships with relevant stakeholders, corporate social investors (CSI), tertiary institutions, faith based organisations and local municipalities to mobilise and integrate urban and rural resources in order to address social economic and environmental challenges more effectively.

Partnerships consist of networking, sharing ideas and best practices, and supporting partner organisations aims and objectives and where applicable, joint ventures are pursued.