The Valley Collaborative

In April 2025, we held a community engagement workshop, co-facilitated by Ranyaka to shift our focus from analysis to action. 

Participants were divided into 4 groups

• Food security, substance abuse and wellbeing

• Housing, infrastructure and safety

• Economic empowerment

• Youth empowerment

Each group completed 3 activities:

• Identifying and distinguishing between causes and effects

• User centred design canvas: brainstorming an intervention

• Business model canvas: developing a plan 

Convened a business engagement event to involve farms and businesses. At the event we engaged with municipal role players and 11 local business interested in exploring multi-stakeholder collaboration for a stronger, healthier Valle

The goal of an action group is for diverse people to work together to address specific issues in the communities that were highlighted as priorities. The groups are crucial for designing a collective plan for action, ensuring community ownership.

Community mapping workshop April 

This event brought together the voices of over 50 people from local farms, schools, NGO’s, youth and community leaders. The first was a DNA map with 93 indicators to rate the quality of different aspects in the community. The second was an aerial map where participants indicated physical areas of concern and existing positives in the area.

Household surveys September - October

The Sustainability Institute conducts yearly household surveys in Lynedoch. With the help of local community figures in Vlottenburg, the scope was extended to include a wider range of the community.

Feedback sessions and priority identification May-October

The results of the workshop tell part of the story, but this was just the start of understanding the Valley communities. The next phase involved individual follow ups, group feedback sessions, further intensive engagement with stakeholders who did not attend the workshop in April. Priority areas were identified and 6 action groups were formed.

Mapped 130+ local stakeholders, expanding networks for community involvement. Engaged individuals and sectors, building awareness of the project and inviting them to our community mapping event.