Tool 1: Facilitating the exercising of choice…

1. Develop a shared vision2. Identify opportunities for knowledge exchange3. Establish a facilitation team (PDT)4. Set learning objectives5. Plan how to achieve learning objectives6. Demonstrate the technologies7. Identify interested early adopters (who may

become champions)8. Receive and respond to hardware, software, and

orgware technology innovations9. Ensure technologies are maintained in good

running order

Example of application of the Tech Rec Framework tool

• The Rooibos Experience• Background to project/community

• Application

The Rooibos Experience • Background: Suid Bokkeveld Community, Northern

Cape Ecological & Climate Context:

Endemic plants, Aspalathus linearis = rooibos (english: red bush)

Living lab for adaptation of plants – drought, higher temp

Rooibos production limited - soil type & depth & low rainfall

The People & Farming Small-scale farmers & their families Rooibos (seed), small stock & farm labour

Access to rooibos & tourism markets limited = isolation

Limited perceptions to opportunities

The Rooibos Experience• Application Based on a Shared Vision for Development (STEP 1) Community Exchange Visits - link to rooibos & tourism

initiatives (STEP 2 – identify opportunities for knowledge exchange)

Preparation & Implementation: Established a PDT / facilitation team (STEP 3)

Participatory planning workshops – incl. community members, govt, NGOs.

Established learning objectives (STEP 4) (organic production & prices & CB-tourism) with community

Achieving learning objectives - methodology developed with participants for conducting visits & feedback mechanism to community (STEP 5)

The Rooibos Experience Technologies are demonstrated - Exchange Visits

(STEP 6) Visits to organic production of indigenous tea (techniques,

processing & marketing; CBNRM) & cultural & ecotourism projects (community mobilisation & organisation, small-business dev)

Identification of interested and early adopters (STEP 7) - team skills of participants developed – activity planning, assigning of roles, group contracts developed – emerging leaders

The Rooibos Experience Receive and respond to hardware, software, and

orgware technology innovations (STEP 8)

Stimulating new processes innovations & ownership greatest amount of input & support needed to succeed

Process led to establishment & ownership of: Small-scale producer co-operative – conversion to organic

production (+ve env effect) = export to organic & fair trade rooibos markets (access) & fair prices

Farmer study group – (technical) capacity issues Farmer participatory research – sustainable harvesting of

wild rooibos (science & indigenous knowledge) Women’s group established a tourist facility & growing

Ensure technologies are maintained and in good running order. (STEP 8 & 9) – further support needed

The Rooibos Experience