Beyond the Map: Gauteng’s Civil Society Organisations Find Common Ground at REACH CSOs Workshop
Midrand | 19 October 2026
What happens when community organisations working in different sectors sit together to discuss the challenges facing their communities? Sometimes, the most valuable outcome is discovering that they are already working towards similar goals — and that opportunities for collaboration are closer than they realise.
This was one of the encouraging observations from Gauteng’s first REACH CSOs Provincial Ecosystem Mapping Workshop, which brought together approximately 40–50 representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) and ecosystem stakeholders in Midrand.
The workshop formed part of the European Union-funded REACH CSOs Programme, led by Oribi Village and PULSE (Groupe SOS), alongside Gauteng implementing partners Unnati Training Academy and Sothaba Enterprise Associates (SEA). While the programme focuses on strengthening climate-resilient agri-food social enterprises, particularly those involving women and young people, the conversations extended well beyond agriculture.
An ecosystem already making connections
As participants introduced their work, potential partnerships began emerging organically. Organisations recognised complementary activities, shared challenges and opportunities to strengthen existing relationships. The discussions revealed that Gauteng’s civil society ecosystem is not starting from scratch. Many organisations have established community relationships, practical experience and networks that could be better connected to strengthen their collective impact.
Who falls outside existing opportunities?
An important discussion raised the experiences of adults aged 36 to 55, who may no longer qualify for youth-focused development opportunities but continue to face significant barriers to enterprise support and sustainable livelihoods. For many, entrepreneurship is closely connected to family responsibilities and the need to support dependants. Although REACH CSOs maintain their focus on women and youth, understanding these broader community realities is valuable when mapping the ecosystem.
Community innovation takes many forms
Another memorable contribution came from a woman operating a mobile library, bringing reading opportunities directly into communities. While not traditionally associated with green agriculture or enterprise development, the initiative demonstrated the interconnected nature of community development. Access to reading and literacy can strengthen comprehension, confidence and learning, supporting people’s ability to participate in training and pursue economic opportunities.
For Lerato Choane, Programme Coordinator at Unnati Training Academy, these discussions reinforced the importance of recognising community-driven solutions that may fall outside conventional development categories.
Rethinking how community organisations access finance
Sustainable financing was another important theme. Representation from African Bank brought a valuable perspective to discussions about how civil society organisations approach financial institutions and position their work for potential funding. The conversation highlighted the importance of organisational readiness, appropriate financing approaches and relationships that can support development over time. No funding commitments were announced.
From conversations to practical action
The information gathered will help identify organisational needs, existing resources, development gaps, and opportunities for collaboration. These findings will inform the next phase of REACH CSOs, including awareness activities, CSO mobilisation and organisational capacity strengthening.
A call for applications is being prepared; dates and eligibility requirements remain subject to confirmation by programme organisers.
The lasting value of the workshop may lie not only in the ecosystem map it helps produce, but in the relationships it has begun to strengthen. Gauteng’s communities already contain considerable knowledge, innovation and commitment. The opportunity now is to connect these strengths more effectively.
About REACH CSOs
REACH CSOs is a European Union-funded programme led by Oribi Village and PULSE (Groupe SOS), working with provincial implementing partners across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
The programme aims to strengthen civil society organisations in developing and managing sustainable, climate-resilient agri-food social enterprises, with particular attention to women and young people. In Gauteng, implementation is supported by Unnati Training Academy (Gauteng North) and Sothaba Enterprise Associates (Gauteng South).
