Background paper prepared for the PDG/Isandla Institute project ‘the role of cities in poverty alleviation’ for the South African Cities Network. As part of this a case study was prepared on HIV/AIDS in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area. Date: 2002.

Isandla Institute initiated the Halogen network in 2006. It started out as a loose network of like-minded researchers and organisations (including the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (cogta –previously the Department of Provincial and Local Government and SALGA), which over time developed into a more inclusive and conscious knowledge sharing and learning network. The network convened learning events and produced useful input papers and municipal briefs, which are available on www.halogen.org.za. Isandla Institute coordinated Halogen between 2006 and 2010.

Further details on Halogen can be found at www.halogen.org.za

In 2009/2010, Isandla Institute conducted a pilot study in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, reviewing its human settlements response from the perspective of HIV/AIDS. Particular attention was given to informal settlement upgrading. The pilot study was complemented by a scenarios building exercise with senior representatives from the municipality, aimed at reviewing settlement planning and management assumptions in relation to broader socio-economic and institutional drivers of development in the city. The project was conducted in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

Formulation of a conceptual framework and guidelines on behalf of the Department of Constitutional Development for use by municipalities and civil society organisations, 1997-1998.

Isandla Institute participated in a multi-disciplinary team that provided policy and programme design support for US-AID to develop a U$12 million five year programme to support government-civil society partnerships, 1999.

Isandla Institute assessed IDPs in the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. The work comprised of an in depth analysis of the actual role that IDPs play in government, 1999.

Isandla Institute carried out a national assessment of training requirements for Public Private Partnerships in 1999.

Isandla Institute developed a set of recommendations on the promotion of municipal-community partnerships (MCPs) as an alternate service delivery option to conventional public-private partnerships, 1999.

A conceptual framework and practical guidelines were drafted for Department of Constitutional Development, 1999.

Isandla Institute drafted a national policy framework on local economic development designed to increase the capacity of municipalities to work with local stakeholders and establish economic development strategies. The input paper was used as a basis by DPLG to draft the official government policy, 1999-2000.