Identifying pathways for stronger involvement of SSF in the SADC

Between February and May 2026, initial steps have been undertaken to co-create an action plan under the Project “Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Training of small-scale Fisheries Organizations in Angola, Namibia and South Africa” with the SSF partner cooperatives under the Project. Andréa Durighello (regional advisor), Elsa Patria (national coach, Namibia), Estelle von der Merwe (national coach, South Africa), Abdenego da Silva (national coach, South Africa) and Jackie Sunde (national coach, South Africa) conducted capacity needs assessments to inform the next steps of the Project under the premises that greater and meaningful engagement require strong organisations, with a united and informed invoice.

The Project” Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Training of small-scale Fisheries Organizations in Angola, Namibia and South Africa” is a special initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) focusing on Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems”. This Project is co-funded by the European Union as part of the Blue Benguela Current Action (BCCA), implemented by the Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).