The Digital Civil Society Engagement Platform is meant as a collective space for sharing of ideas and resources, learning, critical discussion and joining hands in concrete development initiatives and advocacy in the Eastern Cape province and beyond.

It will help civil society to become more connected, informed and energized. The engagement shall show us the diversity, vibrancy, and hard work of civil society organisations  in the Eastern Cape province and the difference it makes in our communities.

The idea is to create mutual support and learning between smaller under-resourced grassroots organizations in rural and urban areas and more established and professionalized NGOs with a strong knowledge and research base.

We hope that the digital platform and engagement will open a window into digital opportunities for civil society organisations, including smaller grassroots organisations and a step-by-step guide as to how to access different opportunities. To look for upcoming events, kindly visit the Events section under Resources.

The space is self-organized and initially supported in its set-up by the Centre for Community Technologies of Nelson Mandela University and the GIZ-Governance Support Programme (GIZ-GSP). Both partners would like to acknowledge and elevate the invaluable contributions that civil society makes to local governance.

As a collective space the platform does not have any formal organizational structure but depends on your active contributions and team spirit. It might contribute to new discussions around rejuvenating a formal NGO network in the province. This is however not its primary aim.

For the initial period Ikhala Trust, a community grant making organisations, volunteers to manage and update the platform with capacity development support by Nelson Mandela University. We look forward to active contributions and increasing the support team. 

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