Version 4 June 2016
Durban Green Corridors
Who we are
Green Corridors NPC, trading as Durban Green Corridors (DGC) is a non-profit organisation that
works in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality and other stakeholders to achieve pro-poor,
youth-focused, local economic development by maximising the potential of nature’s open spaces
and strengthening community custodianship of them.
Vision
Our long term vision is that previously marginalised communities living and working in and around
Durban’s open spaces are economically empowered, healthy and socially cohesive as a result of
the sustainable use of the rich ecological goods and services in Durban’s open spaces. There is
consistently strong demand for the high quality nature-based tourism, sport and recreation
activities that are offered in Durban’s Green Corridors.
The economic productivity of citizens in and around Durban’s Green Corridors and the harmony
between social, economic and ecological activities in these open spaces is maintained through
committed partnerships between community institutions, private sector organisations and
government.
Our vision for the DGC organization is that Durban Green Corridors becomes an established and
influential NGO in KwaZulu-Natal, renowned for pioneering youth-focused sustainable
development solutions in previously degraded open spaces. The organisation has support from
domestic and international funding partners and in turn supports numerous community-based
enterprises at various stages of development under the auspices of the Green Corridors Model.
Mission
To facilitate pro-poor development in economically marginalised and degraded open spaces in
and around Durban though an evidence-based package of interventions that includes naturebased tourism development, community systems strengthening, youth development and ecological
rehabilitation (as encompassed by the Green Corridor Model). We advocate for effective
government policies and public/private investment in open spaces that have the potential to reduce
poverty and stimulate enterprise development.
The Green Corridor Model
The Green Corridor Model reflects our theory of change. It seeks to transform targeted geographic
zones from a state of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation to economically and
ecologically productive green corridors. This is achieved by harnessing community and natural
capital through pro-poor tourism and recreational product development, strengthening community
systems and by brokering bankable investments from the private and public sectors.
The package of interventions implemented through the Green Corridor Model may include:
1. Stakeholder engagement, institutional development and land-legal work required to activate
a nominated Green Corridor and strengthen underlying community systems.
2. Tourism and recreation product development, including trails, tours, events, catering and
accommodation.
3. Facilitation of enterprise development and incubation of emerging enterprises, including
skills development, mentoring of entrepreneurs and providing access to markets.
4. Rehabilitation and maintenance of priority ecosystems and landscapes producing ecological
services for Green Corridors.
5. Fostering youth leadership and participation in Green Corridor activities.
* A Green Corridor is defined for our purposes as a demarcated spatial management area that is
defined by unique ecological characteristics with inherent value for local sustainable utilisation.
* Development zones are nodes within Green Corridors that are identified and targeted for
sustainable development and commercial opportunities, including tourism and recreation.
Five-year strategic objectives
The following medium term objectives have been developed to drive the organization towards its
mission and vision:
1. Build Durban Green Corridors to be a leading development NGO with strong systems, capacity
and leadership with significant investment financing from diverse sources.
2. Establish the Green Hub as a successful South Africa-wide tourism information and booking
agency that specialises in marketing the products and experiences in Green Corridors.
3. Develop the Umgeni Valley Green Corridor as one of the premier adventure tourism routes
in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.
4. Support at least 10 development zones within the Umgeni Valley Green Corridor, creating at
least five viable responsible tourism enterprises.
5. Contribute towards the creation of new permanent jobs, part-time jobs and work
opportunities. (Targets to be determined in annual operational plans).
6. Develop two new self-sustaining Green Corridors, through consultative and market-driven
feasibility exercises.
7. Enter into profitable investment and operational partnerships with the public and private
sectors for the Green Hub and other enterprises in Green Corridors.
8. Under the auspices of the Green Hub, become a leading volunteer tourism agent in Durban
and KwaZulu-Natal.
9. Advocate for and demonstrate waste management solutions in Durban’s open spaces.
Annual operational plans and budgets should be prepared to develop activities,
milestones and targets towards achieving the five-year strategic objectives.