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This fact sheet presents preliminary action research findings from the COMPACT project, which engaged 12 partner municipalities in South Africa between October and December 2022 to evaluate planning, oversight, and community participation.

This fact sheet describes the 'Compact - My Municipality' initiative, which utilizes Citizen Based Monitoring (CBM) to improve local government accountability and service delivery in South Africa, specifically focusing on water and sanitation infrastructure.

This fact sheet describes the COMPACT Local Government Collaboration Model, a tool designed to facilitate cooperation between municipal administrations, councillors, and the local community to solve complex challenges. The model was developed based on action research in 12 partner municipalities and consists of a five-step process: Purpose, Making Sense of the Challenge, Vision and Hope, Implementing and Adapting, and Reflection and Learning.

A fact sheet describing COMPACT, a co-funded European Union programme implemented by PARI, SALGA, and Integrity Action to improve local government planning, accountability, and public participation in South Africa.

The IDP Roadmap is a fact sheet describing the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), a five-year strategic framework used by municipalities to plan and deliver services through a collaborative process involving government, business, and communities.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, aims to empower youth in South Africa to participate in local government and municipal planning. It outlines the legal frameworks supporting youth involvement, identifies barriers to participation, and provides practical methods for young people to engage with their municipalities.

A facilitation guide for the COMPACT Local Government Collaboration Model, a five-step process (Purpose, Making Sense, Vision, Implementation, and Reflection) designed to improve public participation and service delivery in South African municipalities. It details a three-phase implementation process including a two-day workshop and a 12-month follow-up cycle, utilizing tools like the Cynefin Framework and stakeholder mapping.

This guide provides an overview of the role, election process, legal duties, and powers of municipal councillors in South Africa, detailing the distinctions between ward and proportional representation councillors and the ethical standards they must uphold.

This guide explains the role of local government in South Africa, detailing its constitutional mandate to provide basic services and promote socio-economic development. It outlines the three categories of municipalities (Metropolitan, Local, and District) and describes the collaborative relationship between the local community, political structures (such as the council and mayor), and the municipal administration.

This guide provides information on the role, operation, and support of ward committees within South African local government, outlining their function as a bridge between communities and municipal councillors to facilitate public participation.

This guide from the Public Affairs Research Institute aims to empower young people in South Africa to engage with local government and influence municipal planning. It outlines the legal frameworks supporting youth participation, highlights the gap between the youth population size and their representation in decision-making, and provides practical steps for youth to get involved in local governance.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, explains the role, election process, legal duties, and powers of municipal councillors in South Africa. It outlines the distinctions between ward councillors and proportional representation (PR) councillors, the requirements for candidacy, and the ethical standards they must uphold to ensure accountability and community engagement.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, explains the role, election process, legal obligations, and powers of municipal councillors in South Africa. It details the differences between ward and proportional representation councillors, the requirements for candidacy, and a comprehensive code of conduct. Additionally, it provides a framework for how councillors can collaborate with communities to improve local governance and service delivery.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, explains the role, election process, legal duties, and ethical requirements of municipal councillors in South Africa. It outlines the differences between ward and proportional representation councillors and provides a framework for how councillors and citizens can collaborate to improve local governance and accountability.

This guide, published by the Public Affairs Research Institute, provides information on the role, election, duties, and powers of municipal councillors in South Africa. It outlines the differences between ward and proportional representation councillors, the legal requirements for candidacy, and the ethical standards they must uphold to ensure accountability and community engagement.

This guide provides an overview of the structure, responsibilities, and governance of local government in South Africa, detailing the roles of municipalities, political structures, and the administration.

This policy brief, authored by Mamoshotoana Concelia Choma of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), argues that systemic communication failures in South African municipalities undermine public trust and citizen participation. Drawing on evidence from the COMPACT programme's study of 12 municipalities, the document identifies weaknesses such as top-down messaging, the neglect of traditional outreach, and internal institutional silos. It recommends professionalising communication units, institutionalising two-way engagement, and integrating knowledge management to shift municipal communication from reactive practices to citizen-centred systems, all while leveraging existing national policy frameworks.

This guide provides an overview of the structure, responsibilities, and governance of local government in South Africa, detailing the roles of municipalities, political structures, and the local community.

This guide outlines the seven-phase Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process for South African municipalities. The IDP is a 5-year strategic roadmap that aligns community needs, spatial planning, and sector strategies with municipal budgets and national priorities. The process moves from pre-planning and needs analysis to strategy development, project prioritisation, integration with budgets (SDBIP), formal council approval, and ongoing annual implementation and review.

This guide explains the mechanisms of accountability, oversight, and assurance within South African municipalities, detailing the roles of internal municipal structures, national and provincial government bodies, and independent Chapter 9 institutions in ensuring transparent and legal local governance.