Integration of ABCD into Municipal Planning and Engagement (2014-2017)

In 2014 the Eastern Cape NGO Coalition in collaboration with GIZ-Governance Support Programme started to advocate for the integration of the asset-based community development approach (ABCD) into Municipal processes. Enoch Mgijima and Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipalities agreed to become pilot sites for a project “Integration of ABCD into Municipal Planning”.

The positive outcomes of ABCD pilot phase 1 culminated in the ABCD pilot phase 2 which was funded by HIVOS under the Making All Voices Count Program (MAVC) from 2015-2017.

Phase 1 of the pilot: The ECNGO Coalition partnered with the GIZ to implement the ABCD pilot in Enoch Mgijima and Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipalities.

Theme: ABCD in municipal planning processes.

Objectives:

• To use the ABCD approach as an innovative citizen-oriented methodology in municipal planning processes
• To catalyse a model for strengthening meaningful public participation
• To generate lessons learnt on integration of the ABCD methodology into ward-based planning for the IDP as well as LED sector planning

Phase 2 of the pilot: The ECNGO Coalition partnered with HIVOS – Making All Voices Count Programme (MAVC) to implement ABCD in Municipal Planning using a digital tool – Streetwise Collaborator.

Objectives:

• Bridge the gap of meaningful public participation by use of the streetwise collaborator and organising community engagement sessions
• Pilot ICT-based tools for strengthening citizen engagement
• Empower civil society actors and community workers to implement service delivery surveys and use the outcomes for critical discussion with their municipality and relevant sector departments
• Improve the understanding of citizens of the responsibilities of local government and sector departments

Outcomes:

• Increased number of ABCD champions
• Increased public participation and service delivery monitoring
• Good practices on developing Asset-Based Ward Based Plans
• Good practice on e-surveys and feedback sessions on raised service delivery issues
• Active engagement with Office of the Premier, SALGA, COGTA and local municipalities to enhance service delivery
• Buy-in from Office of the Premier for ABCD to be incorporated in war room concept (Operation Masiphathisane).

The ECNGOC increased its footprint in the local governance space

The first pilot is currently replicated by COGTA Gauteng.