South Africa

Conserving Biological Diversity in South Africa Through Sustainable Removal of Invasive Plants

Organisation

SouthSouthNorth

Website

Support area

Conservation of biodiversity

Funding

975070 €

Project duration

Dec, 2025 – Nov, 2028

Objective: Establishment of innovative business model for alien clearing and rewilding of land in the Hessequa area

South African biodiversity is threatened by invasive species. In the Western Cape, woody invasives pose water loss and fire risks. Despite hefty investment, clearing invasives has limited traction with efforts being once-off rather than sustained. The organisation SouthSouthNorth will use the IKI Small Grants funding to establish an innovative business model for alien clearing and rewilding of land in the Hessequa area. Through partnering with landowners and micro-enterprises, the project enables sustainable businesses with public and private resources. Implementation is complimented by research, serving as a model for replication. The region will benefit from socio-economic upliftment and reduced fire and water scarcity risks, improving livelihoods.

Capacity development

SouthSouthNorth, together with collaborators, will undertake various capacity development initiatives with on-grant recipients:

Small enterprise development for grant recipients and on-demand capacity development for those small and medium enterprises which indicate their interest in developing their enterprises to qualify for debt financing.
Occupational Health and Safety and Safeguarding training, particularly for those grantees who will be undertaking alien clearing activities and handling machinery.

About the organisation

Since 1999, Cape Town-based SouthSouthNorth connects communities, policymakers, and financiers across the Global South to advance climate-resilient development. Through knowledge-brokering and supporting inclusive low-carbon transitions, sustainable livelihoods, and ecological restoration, it drives locally led solutions that strengthen resilience, enhance ecosystem health, and promote equitable climate action in vulnerable regions.