Paper short abstract:

The Grootbos Ecolodge and its associated Foundation are proving very successful at identifying programmes to meet local sustainability needs. These programmes are being delivered due to the convening power of the Lodge which provides access to well-connected high-net worth individuals.

Paper long abstract:

The Grootbos Ecolodge, situated in the rural-coastal periphery of South Africa's Western Cape province, is the locus of much innovative work to deliver sustainable development outcomes which benefit local communities and the natural environment. This paper explores the mechanisms through which the Lodge's management have successfully reached out to, and captured, significant financial and human capitals in order to facilitate the running of a Foundation which is proving highly successful at delivering programmes which align to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The local region suffers from high unemployment, crime and biodiversity degradation. The Foundation's programmes focus upon improving local people's employability and entrepreneurship skills, using sport as a developmental tool for children, supporting health and nutrition programmes and promoting environmental conservation. The paper will explore the outcomes from these programmes and demonstrate that very significant benefits are being achieved. The paper contends that the success of the Foundation over fifteen years results from the vision and leadership of the Lodge's management team. On the one hand they have proven adept at identifying programmes to meet local developmental needs and on the other they use the convening power of the Five Star Lodge, which attracts well-connected high net-worth individuals, to access the support necessary to deliver the programmes. Support takes the form of direct financial donations, access to CSR budgets, statements of support to donor organisations and the provision of human resources. We conclude by considering the extent to which this model offers lessons that can be replicated in other scenarios.