Community Trusts are key instruments in driving inclusive development across South Africa, particularly in the Renewable Energy sector. Yet, while ownership exists on paper, the real impact for communities has often fallen short. Loan repayments and structural limitations have meant that communities see little in the way of dividends, decision-making power, or genuine empowerment. The promise of community ownership is clear, but the reality shows a need for stronger, more resilient, and more visionary trust structures.
Building Stronger Trusts for a Just Energy Transition
The Trust Matters project was created to tackle this challenge. Over the past two years, trustees, administrators, and ecosystem stakeholders have worked with INSPIRE to define what strong, impactful community trusts look like.
From this process, the Trust Maturity Framework was developed — a structured approach to strengthening governance, vision, and capacity in community trusts. Building on that, the Trust Maturity Self-Assessment Tool was launched as a practical way for trusts identify their trust’s current stage of maturity and help to identify portunities to strengthen governance, accountability, and impact.
INSPIRE is now asking Trusts to use the tool, and share their results with us so we can build a Baseline report that helps us to map the ecosystem, identify resource gaps and to design the future support that will make the greatest difference.
The tool takes 45–90 minutes to complete, and every submission strengthens the collective knowledge we need to build a just, equitable energy transition.
How to Contribute
Simply complete and submit your trust’s Trust Maturity Self-Assessment Tool results below, by 10 October 2025. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of community trusts in South Africa!
