We believe that the principles of:
 * collective community effort
 * permaculture,
 * people empowerment and  
 * political neutrality
will enable us to help Hout Bay transition into a sustainable place for our children to live.

We are also convinced that this is our best chance of meeting the impact of
 * growing population
 * climate change
 * resource depletion
 * pollution
 * energy constraints
 * poverty and
 * rising food and fuel costs.

With its wealth of human and natural resources and spirit of goodwill, Hout Bay has the potential to become a model community that will inspire other communities that are making the transition to sustainability. We hope to do this with your help.

 Our goals

• To empower our community to respond effectively to energy and infrastructure limitations as well as rapidly increasing fuel prices..
   
• To educate towards a reduction in consumption, energy efficiency and  conservation awareness
   
• To propose and actively work towards workable solutions for the integration of townships into Hout Bay that provide adequate, shelter, security and amenities.
   
• To host regular  GREEN FAIRES to promote the use of environmentally friendly and efficient products and the importance of growing our own food.
   
• To build community consciousness and strengthen the local economy through supporting local initiatives.

The ACT LOCAL Campaign Grow Local Developing local food security through flourishing gardens, community greenhouses, and community farms Buy Local - Promoting buying local whenever possible, and being local by     supporting local independently-owned businesses. Eat Local - Promoting the support local restaurants especially ones who buy locally grown produce and donate their oil for biodiesel Build Local - Encouraging the use of sustainable materials from as close as possible. Employ Local - Promoting the use of local labour wherever possible, creating jobs wherever possible Conserve local - Encouraging residents and businesses to get involved in conserving our spectacular natural heritage Local Energy - Catalyzing appropriate community responses to the current energy crisis, developing sustainable local renewable energy sources Local Water saving - Encouraging the practice of reusing washing water for flushing, or redirecting it through filters to gardens, using low flow showerheads, etc. Local Learning - Encouraging everyone to teach what they know to the community, knowledge, skills, ideas for a greener planet Local Sharing - Encouraging the sharing of land,  tools or skills you can share with members of the community. See www.justfortheloveofit.org Local Currency - Encouraging barter and trading and a less money dependent society. Join the Community Exchange and trade your skills, services and wares for other peoples skills, services, crafts, etc without using money. www.ces.org.za

Lets create solutions!

...by galvanising community interest to actively generate solutions and initiatives to deal with challenges such as housing, township integration, school capacity, quality of education, primary health services, recreational amenities, roads and transport, crime and economic inequality.

We plan to work hand in hand with the municipality, city council, police and other institutions but recognise the limitations they have for addressing all the issues and so aim to play a more proactive role as 'concerned citizens' instead of 'apathetic complainers'.

Given the potential disruptions ahead resulting from possible political, climate or inflation crises....
Resilient Communities (self-reliant for the greatest possible number of their needs) will be infinitely better prepared than those who are dependent on globalized systems for food, energy, transportation, health, and housing.