Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership
Stakeholder collaboration
ERS is the Secretariat for the Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership (UCP), which seeks to implement an integrated landscape approach that recognizes the need for multiple stakeholders to put concerted effort into the landscape restoration. ERS co-founded the UCP in 2013 with Conservation South Africa (CSA), with the purpose of building complementarity in efforts to restore the catchment. The stakeholders in the partnership include local communities and their traditional institutions; for example through local Grazing Associations. Their inclusion in the conservation matrix empowers them to participate in decision making and ensures security of communal ownership of natural resources. ERS has been the catchment convenor for the SANBI Living Catchments Project since 2017, and plays an intentional role in linking stakeholders to provide opportunities.
Promoting effective coordination and collaboration
ERS has been the driving force behind the Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership (UCP), serving as its co-founder and secretariat. Through its leadership, ERS has facilitated effective coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, making them a vital catalyst for local strategic partnerships. The UCP platform, which is composed of a wide range of partners including local implementing NGOs and government departments, intends to build complementarity in efforts to restore the catchment. This has seen more investment in the watershed restoration process, for example by the private sector. The stakeholders also include local communities and their traditional institutions; for example through local Grazing Associations. Their inclusion in the conservation matrix empowers them as they participate in decision making and gives them security over communal ownership of natural resources including land, for example through conservation agreements. Despite facing resource limitations, ERS continues to support partners, demonstrating resilience and a strong sense of commitment to its mission. Our willingness to share knowledge with other communities shows a collaborative and inclusive approach, which may lead to mutually beneficial partnerships.
