Southern Africa Trust

Introduction

The Southern Africa Trust provides grants to civil society organisations representing the interests of the poor in policy development processes across the region.

Aims

The Southern Africa Trust:

• is an independent, regional, non-profit agency registered in South Africa 
• supports organisations and processes with regional impact 
• supports deeper and wider engagement in policy dialogue 
• supports public policy development aiming to reduce poverty 
• helps the voices of the poor to be heard in policy processes.

Background

Most governments in southern Africa have developed Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers designed to help their countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals. These papers aim to promote growth, democratic governance, and social and economic justice.

However, to be effective, many of these processes require more integrated regional approaches and stronger engagement by civil society and the private sector. This must take place at both national and regional levels.

The Southern Africa Trust was established in 2005 to support civil society organisations in southern Africa achieve these goals.  The aim is that civil society can participate with credibility in policy dialogue so the poor can have a better impact in the policy development.