1. History

2. Legal framework

1. History

The CLA was established from the work done by the EFSA Institute.

The EFSA Institute has focused on community development since 1990.  It is a network linked to the Universities of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch (US) and the Western Cape (UWC), as well as the Western Cape Provincial Council of Churches (WCPCC).

The institute has hosted numerous national consultations on the role of religious communities in community development, in partnership with the government and the business sector.  At a conference in 1997 the former minister of welfare and population development, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, posed a challenge:

"The EFSA Institute has hosted many conferences on community development, but what were they really doing to improve community development projects?"

The challenge resulted in the launch of two important initiatives: the establishment of the National Religious Association for Social Development (NRASD), a national network of different faith communities that focus on community development, and the establishment of the CLA.

Since 2000 more than 600 youth leaders have completed the community leadership course presented by the CLA.  Many of the delegates have started new and sustainable community projects.  Several of the projects managed to access additional funds from government (for projects such as building schools and feeding schemes), from the private sector (for projects such as foster homes) as well as international funding.

2. Legal framework