Seed Funding for Gender and Energy Network South Africa (GENSA)

From 2009-2010 the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) actively implemented seedfunding activities with support from ENERGIA with the aim to revive and strengthen the Gender and Energy Network South Africa (GENSA). At the end of 2010 HSRC ceased its responsibilities as the GENSA National Focal Point. The new NFP that was elected through a democratic process is Safe Energy Depot (SED), who continued implementing seedfunding activities in 2011.  The main activities carried out under this project were:

• Strengthening and institutionalizing GENSA
• Networking for building and strengthening local gender and energy capacity
• Collaborative research work and meetings with key stakeholders

Key objectives:

• Strengthening the links that have been built with other partnerships: CGE, Gender CC, WOESA, Women in Environment. GENSA aimed to work together with these partners to continue making inputs into policies.
• A transparent consultation with network members to select a long term and representative Steering Committee, consisting of about five members. The SC would work with clear terms, responsibilities, for SC members, as well as a clear distinction of roles between SC and NFP.
• Strengthening the network by organising network meetings in different parts of the country to ensure full participation of the members and to attract new members.
• Creating a stronger profile of the network by developing a logo and business cards.
• Employ an assistant administrator to help with the administration and communication.

Key results:

• A new steering committee for GENSA is being established as well as the Advisory Committee.
• Two administrative workers assigned to network.
• Sixty network members recruited.
• The GENSA logo as well as letter head and business cards have been designed.  Banners, briefs and other promotional materials are being acquired to support the marketing and promotion of the network and its activities.
• The network has built a strong and sustainable relationship with organisations such as Commission of Gender Equality (CGE) ,GenderCC , WOESA, Women in Environment ,Hand in Hand Southern Africa and DGRV, as well as strategic Government Departments. 

Lessons learned:

• Resources need to be available for a full-time committed person to ensure sustainability of activities. In this case, funding plays an important role and would ensure that the hosting organisation properly supports the network’s activities.

GENSA Seedfunding  Report FINAL 2011 - Download