Damlaagte Solar Farm is committed to contributing to sustainable community growth through financial and non-financial community development initiatives.
Overview
Damlaagte Solar Farm and the Community
Community and Stakeholder engagement is a vital aspect of the development work we do in local communities. This allows us to build trust with communities and stakeholders in a transparent way. Socio-economic development focuses on initiatives and activities that contribute to the development and upliftment of disadvantaged communities. The aim is to create sustainable socio-economic opportunities for these communities, empowering them to participate meaningfully in the economy and improve their quality of life.
During the construction phase of the Damlaagte Solar Farm, the communities of Tumahole, Schonkenville and Parys have access to employment and business opportunities. Business opportunities both locally and beyond the municipality, to ensure that suitably experienced service providers or suppliers can be sourced.
When the facility is operational, Damlaagte Solar Farm will invest in valuable, meaningful socio-economic initiatives. We are committed to contributing to sustainable community growth through a variety of community development initiatives, funded by a percentage of project revenue.
Examples of socio-economic development initiatives include:
• Skills Development (SKD)
• Enterprise Development (EnD)
• Supplier Development (SnD)
• Socio-Economic Development (SED)
Residents of all the towns within the Ngwathe Local Municipality, will be the beneficiaries of community initiatives carried out for the lifespan of the solar facility.
Socio-Economic Development Strategy
Sustainable Development, in all its facets, is the key driving force behind the strategy and vision of our activities. Proactive engagement and collaboration with all stakeholders serve to unlock the inherent capacity of the community. This process empowers the community to maximise its existing potential and capacity.
Damlaagte Solar Farm adopted the Asset Based Community-led Development (ABCD) methodology as its community development strategy. This approach focuses on community members as change activists – people who are either already working to improve the lives of their fellow residents or are planning to make a positive difference.
It highlights and amplifies the strengths, potential and capacity inherent in communities, which can shape and drive their development. Research shows such efforts are more effective and longer lasting when community members dedicate their own time and talents to creating the changes they desire, rather than focusing exclusively on what is lacking. The conventional needs or problem-based approach can undermine local strengths, capacity and potential and lead to dependency on external actors as well as negative mindsets. Tension and conflict often arise as people compete for scarce resources.
ABCD encourages collaborative efforts for economic and social transformation. We strive to make the best use of existing resources and ensure that active citizens are
driving the development process, with the goal of encouraging community members to shift from ‘passive clients’ to ‘active agents’. The approach draws on participatory methods that are rooted in principles of empowerment, self-reflection, dialogue and ownership.
ABCD Approach
Socio-Economic and Enterprise Development
Damlaagte Solar Farm’s socio-economic development projects are aimed at driving prosperity among the beneficiary communities.
Initiatives include:
- Contributing to the enhancement of educational outcomes with the community:
• This includes early childhood development through to tertiary education;
• Focus on female learners and children with disability. - Collaborating with stakeholders to increase the pool of skilled people within the community:
• Identification of skills gaps within all sectors in the community and employers in and around the community;
• Increase employability of young people. - Collaborating with relevant stakeholders to empower new and
upcoming entrepreneurs including Small, Medium, and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) to contribute to the economic growth:
Focus on enterprises owned by women, young people and people with disabilities.
- Partnering with relevant stakeholders to enhance the quality of health care within the community.
- Implementing programmes to advance awareness of environmental issues together with climate smart projects which contribute to building a sustainable community.
- Supporting projects driven by the local community, placing key stakeholders and partners at the centre of the implementation process to maximise community benefits.
- Implementing projects celebrating annual calendar days with the aim of enhancing social cohesion and collaboration in the community.
