Project: Building a policy framework for social economy in South Africa
Partner: Economic Development Department of South Africa and the International Labour Organisation
Budget: 1.324.367 euro
Duration: 2017-2020
Flanders supports the Economic Development Department of South Africa in the development of a policy framework for social economy. The sector is developing fast in South Africa. It is an economy that offers innovative solutions to social challenges and aims for an inclusive, sustainable and social society. In a country with a high unemployment rate, major challenges in terms of poverty and inequality and low enterprise level, the need to develop a social economy is high. The sector has reached a stage of development that requires a clear, consistent and coherent national policy to optimize its growth and development.
The Economic Development Department will start a consultative and participative process to develop a national policy framework. The department will be supported by the International Labour Organisation. By developing a social economy policy, the project aims to further develop the sector that contributes to decent work creation, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. The implementation will result in:
- Increased stakeholder awareness and support for the development of the social economy through broad and inclusive consultations in the policy formulation process;
- Policy choices informed by research and available evidence;
- Social Economy Networks of Practice initiated as knowledge resources to the policy formulation and implementation process.