We are delighted to announce the Shaping Inclusive Transitions (SIT) Initiative — a bold new programme by the African Centre for a Green Economy (AfriCGE) in partnership with the Southern Africa Trust that aims to advance Africa’s Just and Transition
As Africa faces the triple challenge of climate change, deepening inequality, and the urgency of economic transformation, SIT offers a timely and transformative platform to reimagine development — not from the top down, but from the grassroots up. It seeks to place people and communities at the heart of policy-making, ensuring that those most affected by climate and economic transitions are also the architects of their solutions.
The SIT Initiative will be implemented across South Africa (with a particular focus on Mpumalanga), Zimbabwe, and Mozambique — regions that are heavily impacted by extractive industries, climate risks, and socio-economic inequalities. These areas are at the forefront of both vulnerability and opportunity in Africa’s just and green transition.
What the SIT Initiative Will Do
The SIT Initiative is grounded in research, inclusive engagement, and strategic advocacy. Over its implementation, the initiative will:
- Support grassroots-led climate solutions that are rooted in indigenous knowledge and lived experience.
- Facilitate participatory research and policy dialogues with communities, civil society, green entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers.
- Strengthen community capacities and leadership through partnerships with local organisations and actors.
- Host a series of webinars, community dialogues, and reflection sessions to share insights and refine advocacy priorities.
- Produce working papers and policy briefs focused on critical themes such as indigenous knowledge, gender equity, green industrialisation, and resource governance.
- Amplify African voices and experiences in regional and global climate platforms, including COP30, G20, and Africa Climate Week.
- Advance an advocacy agenda that calls for a just, inclusive, and community-driven green economy.
Key Focus Areas of the SIT Initiative
1. Just & Inclusive Climate Action
SIT promotes climate responses that:
- Prioritise people and communities.
- Integrate indigenous knowledge systems.
- Empower civil society and green enterprises to lead change.
2. Green Economic Transformation
The initiative explores strategies to:
- Scale circular economy models and green industrialisation.
- Improve governance of Africa’s critical minerals.
- Unlock sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities.
3. Positioning Africa in the Global Climate Agenda
SIT will ensure:
- Grassroots insights are elevated in international climate forums.
- Global responses reflect Africa’s local realities and priorities.
Why “People Before Policy” Matters
The SIT Initiative challenges the status quo of top-down policy design by championing approaches that are:
- Just and inclusive
- Community-led and participatory
- Grounded in local realities and indigenous knowledge
- Gender-responsive and equity-focused
It recognizes that sustainable and legitimate outcomes depend on trust, collaboration, and co-creation with the people most affected by climate and economic shifts — youth, women, rural communities, and marginalised voices.
Expected Outcomes
The SIT Initiative will deliver:
- Evidence-based policy briefs and working papers to inform decision-making.
- A synthesis report and impact assessment consolidating key findings and lessons learned.
- Strengthened community voices in national, regional, and international dialogues.
- Enhanced advocacy strategies and visibility for Africa’s just transition in platforms like COP30.
- Partnerships and networks that support long-term, inclusive green transformation.
Conclusion: Towards a People-Centred Green Future
Africa’s green transition must not only be ambitious — it must be equitable, inclusive, and people-driven. The SIT Initiative is more than a programme; it is a movement to reclaim agency over Africa’s future, grounded in the continent’s rich knowledge systems, resources, and human potential. It stands as a powerful call to action for governments, funders, research institutions, CSOs, and green enterprises to work together in shaping a climate-resilient and just Africa.
Join Us
This is just the beginning of a transformative journey.
Partner with us in advancing a just, inclusive, and climate-resilient African future.
Get in touch: info@africancentre.org
