Trust Matters: New Report Resource
We are excited to announce the addition to our Knowledge Base of the Trust Matters Project Update Report, which focuses on empowering Community Trusts IN REIPPPP
In the dynamic landscape of renewable energy, fostering community ownership and trust is paramount. Recognising this imperative, INSPIRE in partnership with the IDC launched this project, dedicated to nurturing the spirit of community ownership within the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
TRUST MATTERS is an investment in exploring the full spectrum of community ownership. Our aim is to support community trusts participating in REIPPPP, mobilise community leadership, and catalyse developmental impact. Through this initiative, we seek to create a platform where community trusts can connect, learn, and collaborate to maximise the benefits of renewable energy projects for their communities.
Objectives
Networking Opportunities
Connect with fellow trustees, share insights and foster a common understanding for long-term collaborative success.
Foster Best Practices
Create a conducive environment for the exchange of insights, successful models, and proven strategies to identify and integrate best practices.
Expand Connections
Broaden the reach of support to existing and new trusts, including trustees and those working in support of trusts.
Build Capacity
Equipping trustees and those supporting trusts with available resources and new knowledge.
REIPPPP Community Trust Connect Workshops
The Goal
Over April and May INSPIRE hosted a series of workshops across Cape Town, Gqeberha, and Kimberley and sought to create a platform for trust boards to connect, learn, and collaborate to maximize the benefits of renewable energy projects for their communities.
Three Vibrant Gatherings
The workshops provided a unique opportunity for participants to meet and engage with other REIPPPP trusts. Through networking sessions and group discussions, attendees shared insights, challenges and strategies, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. More than just events, these workshops were gatherings of like-minded individuals committed to driving positive change in their communities.
One Shared Vision
Together with all participants, we captured the insights from these workshops into a graphic harvest. This visual journey captures the collective challenges, strategies, and steps forward as discussed by community trustees and other stakeholders in our recent workshops.
Community Trust Administrators Connect
Online Engagements
Building on the momentum of the previous workshops, INSPIRE hosted online engagements for trust administrators involved in REIPPPP, promising an opportunity to share insights gathered from trustees and reflect on how we might evolve practices moving forward.
The Goals
During these engagements, we aimed to gathered share feedback from the Trustee workshops, further work on the new framework for assessing and enhancing trust effectiveness, reflect on opportunities for trust administrators and explore further collaborations.
Trust Maturity Framework
A self-assessment tool for trusts efficacy
Through the various in-person and online workshops with REIPPPP stakeholders, we have been able to consult on and to co-design this approach, which includes all members of the Trust Support Ecosystem, highlights the vital components influencing trust efficacy and places the Community needs at the centre of the work. This self-assessment tools encourages us to begin by asking the questions; “What does community ownership really mean?”, “What is the purpose?”, “What does success look like?” and ” How can we best support the institution to achieve this?".
INSPIREd Community Trusts Learning Event
Building the Ecosystem for Community Ownership to Thrive
In February 2025, INSPIRE hosted a two day in-person event for stakeholders from across the REIPPPP ecosystem to engage in diverse and courageous discussions, share successes and struggles, and build capacity for strengthening our Trusts to deliver impact and embrace the full meaning of Community Ownership.
Objectives
This event aimed to strengthen the network and quality of relationships necessary for Community Trusts to thrive; to create a safe and inclusive space for conversations around current challenges and opportunities within Community Trusts in renewable energy contexts; to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, tools, and insights gained through Community Trust implementation and to celebrate and learn from the key achievements and advancements made in community ownership and benefit sharing.
The Event
Over the two days, INSPIRE had the honour of hosting over 160 participants and more than 20 guest speakers from across the country, bringing together various role players from within the REIPPPP ecosystem to connect and collaborate to empower community trusts, mobilise community leadership and drive developmental impact.
Project Report
Enabling Trusts to Thrive
Community trusts in the renewable energy sector play a critical role in advancing socio-economic development, yet they often encounter barriers such as governance, capacity constraints, and a lack of strategic alignment.
Through this project, INSPIRE has worked to unpack and address the unique challenges faced by trusts, developed practical tools and facilitated collaborative workshops to empower trustees and stakeholders.
These initiatives help community trusts move beyond regulatory compliance to unlock their full potential as instruments of socio-economic justice in South Africa’s just energy transition.
Collaborators
Yumnaa Firfirey
Towards Uhuru
Masechaba Mabilu
Embedded Impact
Nomfundo Mogapi
Centre for Mental Wellness and Leadership
Alison McCallum
Social Resonance
Fowzia Davids
Bloem Consulting
Latest Project News
OPINION | Community Ownership – strengthening this cornerstone of SA’s Just Energy Transition
Real community ownership is a cornerstone in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, enabling transformation of community empowerment and agency in the impoverished and oft-forgotten rural parts of our country.
INSPIREd Community Trusts Learning Event 2025
You are invited to join trustees, IPP representatives, social performance and economic development practitioners for a two day Learning Event.
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Building leadership for a people-centered just transition.
NPC Registration: 2022/420733/08
NPO Registration: 278-881
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