Uniondale Integrated Empowerment Project

Initiated in July 2002 in Uniondale, Western Cape, the Uniondale Integrated Empowerment Project (UNIEP) was launched to address the dire need for alleviating poverty in the Uniondale District Management Area (DMA), of which Uniondale is the largest town.   Unemployment is extremely high. The Uniondale DMA has an agricultural-driven economy which is subject to changing market requirements that often result in a downward spiral of the industry.  Though opportunity for low-grade employment in agriculture exists, there are few prospects for the well schooled and for matriculants.  Too many people are living under the breadline, which has lead to poverty in parts of the area and the creation of a number of ad-hoc alleviation projects. An initiative was needed to facilitate coordination, maximising resources and products as well as undertaking joint marketing.  This enabled the projects to become self-sustaining productive businesses. Primary objectives of the projects were to improve the local economy of the area by job creation based on non-agricultural products, creating entrepreneurs, promoting cooperation to address a common problem, utilising untapped potential and natural resources and alleviating poverty. The project is divided into two phases.  Phase 1 constitutes product production.  Phase 2 addresses general social upliftment and creating infrastructure.  UNIEP is managed by a partnership of the Eden district municipality and role players within the UNIEP Section 21 organisation.
Innovation  

UNIEP uniquely integrates twelve projects which manufacture sewing goods, aloe products, wooden products, furniture and quilts.  Services rendered by the projects include administration and accounting, tourism services, the supply of tea and refreshments to customers in a tea garden, the growing of garden produce and the manufacture of preserves, as well as a feeding service in a soup kitchen. Training areas for 2002/03 included numeracy, life skills, instructors' training, vocational and task-related training as well as leadership training.
Effectiveness 

Approximately 30% of the families living in and around the Uniondale area are benefiting from the project.  The majority of the beneficiaries declare average incomes of R750 p/m.  The UNIEP achievements were recently published in the Sunday Times Rapport newspaper.  The project has a growth strategy, which includes an export portfolio for "riempie chairs" manufactured by the project.
Poverty Impact

Employment creation has been successful.
Sustainability

UNIEP as a section 21 company and believes that it is one of only five projects subsidised by LED funding that is sustainable.  The projects involved in the integration process are estimated to become self-sustainable by 2004.
Replication

For replication, a market for the products must be identified, after which projects are then selected which are to be integrated.  The skills base in the location influences this decision.  Good community leaders and businessmen are needed to create the section 21 company.  Community involvement is essential.  Funding would be required as well.
Partnerships
•    National Government
•    Provincial Government
•    Local Government

Visit www.uniep.co.za for more information