The Eastern Cape Non-Governmental Coalition (ECNGOC) is a 17-year old representative structure whose vision acknowledges the transformational value of a society where citizens exercise their rights; where they engage effectively in democratic processes and practices, and where they proactively contribute to development processes that affect their lives. The ECNGOC works with and supports its membership (electronic database available) of over 200 non-government organisations (NGOs) and community- based organisations (CBOs) from throughout the Eastern Cape – encouraging these organisations in turn to stimulate and promote learning within their networks. It works to build and strengthen the civil society’s ability to play a strong and vibrant role in the development processes which bring about socio-economic transformation in their communities.

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote a transformative agenda, the  ECNGOC membership has been particularly interested in finding creative ways of diverting the destructive energy currently depicted by community unrests, frustrations of unemployment, deepening inequality, the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, climate change, corruption etc… into constructive ideas owned by the people (citizen driven) utilising existing talents and stories for resource mobilisation and sustainable community development. The current Asset-Based Community Development Model promotes ‘people-centred’ development, which focuses on an asset-based approach rather than a needs-based approach.

Values

The values are set underpin the programmes and the service delivery elements of the ECNGOC which are in line with the ECNGOC Code of Ethics. In carrying out its mission, the ECNGOC is guided by the following core values:

• Rights-based;
• Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Approach;
• Gender;
• Pro-Poor.

Key sectors:

Several sectors were noted as being of particular importance for the Eastern Cape and to member NGOs, and interventions outlined in ECNGOC’s Strategic Plan are particularly targeted to addressing these issues. These themes are HIV/AIDS, land redistribution, local governance and gender.

• HIV/AIDS

Social activists who are armed with relevant and current information make influential change-makers. They are able to bring fundamental transformation in the manner in which individuals and groups within communities contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS. As a provincial representative of the NGO sector within the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) NGO Forum, ECNGOC is taking up the issues identified by its members, to the national level, acting as a channel that goes beyond the province in advocating for curbing the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS.

The ECNGOC has implemented a number of projects that are aimed supporting member’s work in mitigating against HIV/AIDS. The particular focus that was given to assessing the workings and effectiveness of District Aids Councils (DACs) in Ukhahlamba District enabled the ECNGOC to conclude that there were weaknesses in their conceptualisation, especially relating to the role for civil society within these structures. This work was used to inform a number of HIV/AIDS projects that followed, including the participation of ECNGOC within the Eastern Cape Aids Council (ECAC).

The intention is to building on the lessons from Multi-sectoral Support Programme (MSP). Pulling together a focus group, made up of individuals forwarded by member organisations, enables the ECNGOC to have a pool of individuals that are able to advocate and represent the sector on key HIV-related matters.

• Land Use and Redistribution

In recognition that land is a valuable asset to any nation’s development and wealth, the ECNGOC has dedicated its energies to advocating on land issues over the next four years. The core of this focus will be drawing on the energies of 3-4 ECNGOC members working within the land sector, to identify areas of support in order for them to make a deeper impact in, among other issues, transforming issues of land use and redistribution. ECNGOC will seek to harness the energies that have already been invested in campaigns such as Vulamasango Singene, linking this to HIV/AIDS, gender and local governance issues. It is through pulling together the linkages between the three issues, under the broad banner of socio-economic transformation, that we can make a greater impact on poverty and inequality.

• Local Governance

ECNGOC works from the premise that a well-informed citizenry is one that is able to understand its role and responsibility, in order to claim the rights that the law has put in place for it. Therefore, the implementation of the Civil Society Support Program (CSSP) enables members to play the role of active citizenry by obtaining information and using it to influence the local development agenda. Working groups, consisting of eight participants drawn from member organisations, have become the agents of change. Issues to be advocated on within the local governance work over the next few years include local economic development, water and sanitation, health, and housing. Almost 86 percent of the members of the ECNGOC work directly with communities, focusing on various sectoral issues. They work with communities whose contact with government services is primarily at the local sphere. It is important that the ECNGOC create spaces for its members to interact with local governance issues, to create linkages with local government leaders and to advocate on local governance issues.

• Gender

ECNGOC programmes over the next two years will focus on issues relating to access to land, HIV/AIDS and local governance. All three of these sectoral issues feature strong gender dynamics that need to be elevated as we advocate for transformation. ECNGOC will therefore seek to ensure that there is a focus on how women, in particular, face challenges in each of the three advocacy areas, and explore ways in which South Africans can uproot the stumbling blocks identified. ECNGOC, over the coming two years, will work closely with members committed to supporting women’s efforts at gaining the confidence to advocate on issues of women’s sexual and physical abuse, economic dependency, and access to land, and those fighting against HIV/AIDSand poverty eradication. In order not to leave men out of the picture, ECNGOC will take active role in programmes such as Provincial Men’s Sector, Men As Partners and Brothers for Life. These programmes will not only benefit men, but will indirectly also benefit women. The ECNGOC is geared towards ensuring gender equality and equity.

• Youth

Currently, ECNGOC is working with youth through its socio-economic transformation programmes. Like many other civil society organisations, ECNGOC complements the government’s efforts through supporting youth member organisations to enhance their capacity to improve the lives of youth in Eastern Cape. The coalition will provide a conducive environment and opportunities for youth to actively participate in its programmes. Crucial topical issues affecting youth will be directly and or indirectly addressed by ECNGOC with an aim of ensuring skills development, youth participation, economic and social development for youth. ECNGOC will involve youth in its programmes.

The ECNGOC will make youth development as one of its top priorities and will work closely with strategic and implementing partners to integrate youth development.

Key Themes and Programmes:

The ECNGOC has determined three key themes, which form the programmes of the ECNGOC over the Strategic Plan Review period. These include:

• Socio-Economic Transformation

Result Area: ECNGOC’s members are able to influence development policy and practice

In the quest towards poverty eradication, certain sectors have been identified that are in particular need of support. Over the Strategic Intent period (2008-2012) it is believed that the long-term focus should be on supporting HIV/AIDS, land (use and redistribution), and local governance. However, there are also other issues that the ECNGOC will lend support to in either the short- to medium- term. For this reason, these programmes are reviewed annually, and may be reactive as urgent issues arise (e.g. the food/energy crisis, xenophobia etc). Sector-based support programmes include training for advocacy, mobilising communities, facilitating connections and dialogue, and coordinating roles and responsibilities.

Intervention Strategy: facilitating focus/sector group formations and platforms for dialogue and debate

• Leadership Development

Result Area: ECNGOC’s management, governance, and member organisations’ implementation capacity is strengthened

The ECNGOC believes civil society needs strong, vibrant, and innovative leaders to influence development policy and practice. We also believe that engagement, particularly with local government and other development agencies should be based on inclusiveness and participation. Strengthening civil society includes working with local government to highlight the importance of participatory processes. It is also about insuring that civil society has a clear understanding of how the processes operate, and how individuals can influence outcomes. ECNGOC supports this through a range of capacity enhancement activities.

Intervention strategy: facilitating organisational support for sustainability

• Learning and Information Sharing

Result Area: ECNGOC’s membership is knowledgeable to engage with development issues

Globally, understandings about effective, appropriate and sustainable development are changing. The ECNGOC sees it as an important role in contributing to learning in the development sector, within the Eastern Cape and further afield. We will actively facilitate learning among our members, and share opportunities and disseminate findings that will contribute to development discourse and practice to contribute to learning for socio-economic transformation.

Intervention strategy: facilitating research, learning events and information sharing

Strategic Plan 2012 and Beyond

• Build a more focused membership-based coalition that consists of CBOs and NGOs;
• Continue through its programme, services and activities, to be involved in poverty reduction initiatives and endeavours;
• Strengthen the strategic participation in provincial processes and structures in a way that expands its influence;
• Ensure that the capacity building interventions with member organisations are aimed at strengthening the strategic objectives of the ECNGOC.

For more about the Eastern Cape Non-Governmental Coalition, refer to  www.ecngoc.co.za.