institutional sustainability

In 2001 the C.A.P.E. Strategy recognised that policy and legal gaps, institutional fragmentation and a lack of co-operation amongst key management agencies had led to a situation in which biodiversity conservation functions were not being carried out in an effective and sustainable manner. An inter-agency Memorandum of Understanding provided a co-operative governance framework for the C.A.P.E. partnership and led to the establishment of central governance and co-ordination structures as well as landscape-level co-ordination structures bringing together key role-players.

Over the years that followed, the C.A.P.E. partnership and its Co-ordination Unit learnt from and supported a number of initiatives to promote inter-agency co-operation and sustainability, including the establishment of SANBI and the development of legislative provisions for bioregional (biome) programmes, the establishment of the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board (CapeNature) and the Eastern Cape Parks Board, and the ongoing management of the Table Mountain Fund.

Currently the Co-ordination Unit is contributing to the following institutional sustainability work:

• A Pathfinder Survey is being undertaken with all signatory partners, landscape initiatives and task teams to explore the way forward in consolidating the gains made in the first phase of the C.A.P.E. programme from 2001 - 2008 and addressing the gaps. The survey is complemented by the preparation of a strategy think-piece on potential alternative approaches to co-ordinating fynbos conservation and a mapping study on biodiversity loss during this period.
• A Business Case is being prepared within both CapeNature and Eastern Cape Parks for these organisations to motivate for funding for an expanded set of biodiversity conservation functions and posts.
• An initiative is underway to develop Capacity Development Strategies and action plans within four signatory partners through a facilitated shared learning process. This pilot will involve SANBI, CapeNature, Eastern Cape Parks and the Environmental Management Branch of the City of Cape Town.