The C.A.P.E. partnership began with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in September 2001 by 24 parties including national and provincial government departments, municipalities, statutory conservation bodies and non-governmental organisations. The MoU created these two governance structures:
The
C.A.P.E. Implementation Committee (CIC) has representation from all the signatory parties, meets regularly to ensure collective mobilisation around the C.A.P.E. programme and enables consultation on how best to achieve our strategic objectives. In 2011 the CIC embarked on a recommitment and revitalization process, which saw partners demonstrating their commitment to the partnership.
The
C.A.P.E Co-ordination Committee (CCC) has an oversight and co-ordination function for the whole C.A.P.E. programme, and facilitates high-level policy engagement with key role-players.
The
Steering Committees of the various landscape initiatives also have a governance function at the sub-regional level. These initiatives are based on broad partnerships and the steering committee structures allow all partners to meet on a regular basis to enable co-ordination of their work towards common goals.
In addition, there are a number of other structures across the C.A.P.E. partnership which enable coordination and enable alignment of work programmes, technical collaboration and innovation. The signatory partners plus a broader range of partner organisations and interested individuals meet annually at the
C.A.P.E. Partners' Conference. The annual
Fynbos Forum organised by the Botanical Society of South Africa also provides an opportunity for sharing lessons and co-ordinating the work of scientists and managers working in conservation in the Cape Floristic Region.
