General Conditions of Contract - George Municipality

QUOTATION SPECIFICATIONSPROVISION OF TRAINING AND ONGOING SUPPORT IN PERMACULTURE FOR FOODGARDENS IN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS WITHIN WARD 4, GEORGE MUNICIPALITYBACKGROUNDDuring early 2012 the George Municipality started an Economic Competitiveness Initiative,phase of this took the form of a PACA process (Participatory Appraisal of CompetitiveAdvantage). During this phase an Economic Development Strategy was produced, withVegetable production as one of the key focus areas for future economic growth. As a quickwin project (aimed at kick starting action) the better management and increased yield ofcommunity and private food gardens were identified. This request for quotation is thusaimed at providing members of communities currently active in food gardening with higherorder skills in order to turn food gardens from a social activity into a possible market entrypoint through surplus production.Against this backdrop, permaculture has specifically been chosen as the preferred area ofup-skilling. Numerous definitions of permaculture exist, including for example:Permaculture (Permanent Agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance ofcultivated ecosystems which have the diversity, stability & resilience of natural ecosystems.It is the harmonious integration of landscape, people & appropriate technologies, providinggood, shelter, energy & other needs in a sustainable way. Permaculture is a philosophy andan approach to land use which works with natural rhythms & patterns, weaving together theelements of microclimate, annual & perennial plants, animals, water & soil management, &human needs into intricately connected & productive communities.Bill Mollison & Scott Pittman, La Tierra Community CA PDC flyerThe core tenets of permaculture are:• Take Care of the Earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. Thisis the first principle, because without a healthy earth, humans cannot flourish.• Take Care of the People: Provision for people to access those resources necessaryfor their existence.• Share the Surplus: Healthy natural systems use outputs from each element tonourish others. We humans can do the same. By governing our own needs, we canset resources aside to further the above principles.The George Municipality in its 2012/2013 financial year has awarded each of its 25 Wardsan amount of R100 000, which is to be utilized at the discretion of the Ward Committee todirectly benefit the local community. Food gardens have been identified as an area withpotential in Ward 4, and this Ward will be utilized as pilot site for this training.SPECIFICATIONS:This project will require training of:• • • 14