The Thina Sinako Provincial Local Economic Development (LED) Support Programme is a five-year programme financed by the European Union in partnership with the Eastern Cape Provincial Government. It rests on the following three pillars:
- Institutional Development & Capacity-building
for long-term LED efficiency and sustainability - Learning and Networking
for awareness-raising, and sharing of experience and best practice - Grant Funds
for practice-driven demonstration and learning
The Thina Sinako Provincial LED Support Programme has received resources for the following services:
- Planning, research and financial support to assist municipalities in removing barriers to enterprise growth and in strengthening their LED facilitation role.
- Technical and financial support to local partnership groups in preparation of competitiveness action plans, and in the fast-track implementation of selected projects.
- Financial support to enterprises (including cooperatives) that are part of partnership groups that have been supported by the Programme.
- Financial support to financial institutions to pilot innovative means of providing sustainable access to finance necessary to capitalise on this advantage.
- Leveraging of learning to strengthen policy, practice and institutional support mechanisms. Key support activities include communication of Programme activities, capturing of learning, support of governance arrangements, and training support.
The Programme is supported by a dedicated Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) that has been provided by a consortium led by WYG International Limited. This consortium was selected through an international tender process, and includes the following international partners: GOPA Consultants & VNG International.
In addition to providing direct support, the PCU also mobilises short-term expertise to assist with particular technical support tasks.
