This report details the ENGAGE initiative piloted by the Cultiver Group over 18 months in two South African communities, one in the Western Cape (Laingsburg) and one in the Northern Cape (Sutherland). To address the gaps in communication between RE project host communities and project owners, a toll-free community hotline was set up to support community relationship-building and trust. This report reviews the tool and highlights how community engagement can be used as a lever to realise the social upliftment aspects of the energy transition in South Africa.

The insights shared in this publication are applicable beyond South Africa.