CFPs: Visibility and Validation of Innovations for Service Delivery Programme

The VVISDP is one of three work streams within the Support Programme for the National System of Innovation (SP4NSI) funded by the European Union (EU) and National Treasury to support the Government of South Africa to improve the National System of Innovation and respond to the priorities of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The programme focuses on supporting a small number of pilot projects that will serve to demonstrate the systemic viability of innovation(s) (or specific technologies) – for improving the access, availability acceptability, adaptability and quality of essential basic services with a view of promoting the realisation of socio –economic rights for all.

Strategic Objectives

• Building a capable and developmental state is one of the six priorities outlined in the National Development Plan (Vision 2030). The realization of this priority requires that the public sector, in particular municipalities, adopts innovations and uses technology to improve service delivery. There are many problems with service delivery in municipalities, such as decaying basic service infrastructure for water, sanitation, waste management and public transport. Community-owned connectivity models are emerging, but have not been fully adopted. Innovations can also contribute to addressing health, innovation and unemployment challenges
• The 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation requires the creation of an enabling municipal/public sector policy environment for the adoption and scaling up of innovative technology solutions to improve the quality of basic services in government. The White Paper further recognizes the need for an appreciation of STI in all spheres of government, and the use of STI in municipal planning, delivery and operational processes.

Specific Objectives

• The VVISDP will select municipalities open to innovation to participate in the programme. The selected municipalities will work with the programme’s partner stakeholders (the DSTI, TIA, SALGA, Implementing Agencies as well as universities and technology developers), to support a small number of innovations and technology pilot projects aimed at testing the viability of specific technologies or innovations developed using public funding. The intention of the pilot projects is to look at the access, availability and acceptability of these technologies and innovations, and their adaptability for basic services and municipal operations. The goal is to promote the uptake of innovations in municipalities and to scale up successful innovations to improve the socio-economic situation of all, in particular women and other vulnerable groups.
• The pilots will do the following:
  • Enhance the ability of the selected municipalities to integrate innovative technology solutions in their service delivery system.
  • Use the lessons learnt and evidence gathered to contribute to improved evidence-based decision-making processes in municipalities.
  • Assess the systemic requirements for the adoption and integration of technologies and innovation in the municipal environment.
• The objectives of the VVISDP are as follows:
  • To pilot the suitability and viability of a selection of potential technology-based options for delivering basic services in some of the district municipalities.
  • To evaluate the success of the pilot.
  • To build a stronger partnership and policy dialogue between communities, municipalities and technology partners (public and private) within the national system of innovation to facilitate technology transfer and to influence the work and priorities of municipalities in adopting technology and innovation to improve basic services.
  • To support the development of a more enabling policy environment that facilitates the diffusion of good practices and the adoption and scaling-up of successful innovations, technology pilots in the five areas, namely; Innovative technologies to improve service delivery; Decision Support Tools; Innovation capacity and measurements; Integration of innovation in municipal policy environment; and e-Participation and Policy Modelling.

Phases

• Phases 1
  • Engage and assess the 5 shortlisted participating municipalities on specific waste solutions and needs, as well as readiness for uptake taking.
  • Conduct municipal needs assessment and analysis
  • Establish project governance structures that bring on board additional partners including the private sector
  • Facilitate and participate in the circular economy and knowledge exchange visits, policy dialogue and workshops around waste management in Municipalities, when necessar
  • Undertake a technology selection and matching processes in consultation with the DSTI, TIA and beneficiary municipalities
  • Enable DSTI approved Business Plans (scale of project, timelines, deliverables, technology transfer and cost/funding requirements)
  • Define project KPI’s and success criteria
  • Contract with selected beneficiary municipalities
• Phase 2
  • Streamline and implement the inter-institutional arrangements between key stakeholders
  • Implement technology demonstrations/project solutions for waste management project according to the approved business plan, approach and methodology
  • Identify gaps and implement activities to strengthen municipal capacity, capabilities and processes to integrate waste technology project
  • Monitor and evaluate technology/project performance for waste management in selected municipalities;
  • Successfully implement and steer the project in line with the approved project plan , stage gates and manage all risks and troublshoot
  • Ensure that all municipal project delivers its intended outcomes and KPIs and there is value for money
  • Ensure oversight and performance monitoring during execution phase, timeous reporting on progress
  • Trouble shoot and provide leadership and be accountable for all project milestones
• Phase 3
  • Undertake post-demo due diligence and technology performance
  • Prepare for project close-out and handover
  • Prepare participate in project reviews
  • Produce policy briefs about the project and disseminate to municipal stakeholders and policy and decision makers

Funding Information

• This is a competitive Call, and proposals will be assessed based on the assessment criteria.
• Competitive grants will be awarded to projects based on innovation, impact potential, and sustainability.

Eligibility Criteria

• This Call is open to South African Public Sector Entities

Submission Requirements

• Organisation profile, including size and ownership structure
• An outline of the project’s potential social and economic impact
• Project timeline, including specific milestones for each phase
• Budget plan, detailing the financial requirements for each project phase

For more information, visit TIA.