Built Environment Support Group (BESG)

A development support organisation focusing on access to land, basic services, shelter, and livelihood security.

Please list links to your Website and Social Media Platforms here: 

https://www.besg.co.za
https://www.facebook.com/BesgNGO
https://www.linkedin.com/company/built-environment-support-group/

Describe in detail what your Organisation does: 

BESG supports indigent households and vulnerable sectors of our society in accessing land, security of tenure, basic services, shelter and livelihood security through the provision of capacity building, social and technical support, and promoting citizen engagement with government. We work in urban, peri-urban and rural settlements, both formal and informal, across the province of KwaZulu-Natal. We undertake process facilitation, training, public policy research, and project management.

How long has your Organisation been operational? 

35 years

In your opinion, what has been the most challenging aspect of running your Organisation? 

Severe reduction in donor funding, both in South Africa and the development sector.

Describe your Nonprofit Journey in three words: 

Innovation and relevance.

Do you collaborate with other Causes? If yes, would you like to mention them? 

Good Governance Learning Network.

If you had one Organisation wish, what would it be? 

Sustainable funding stream.

In your opinion, which skills do Nonprofits in your Country lack? 

Organisational development
ICT
Project planning
M&E

Looking back at your Cause Journey, what advice would you give a newbie Organisation? 

Get a mentor

If you could change one thing about the Nonprofit Landscape, what would it be? 

Funding from government for the things that they should be doing

Which Cause achievement are you most proud of? Feel free to elaborate on why and include any links: 

We won a Mail & Guardian Greening the Future award for social innovation in 2014, for work with rural communities on climate change adaptation.

Last question, if your friends had to describe your Organisation in three words, which would they use? 

Amazing, innovative work