Nature Connect is proud to introduce the 2026 recipients of its Small Grants Project, supported by the Table Mountain Fund. This initiative provides financial support and mentorship to growing and emerging community-based organisations and NPOs focused on environmental conservation, sustainability, and awareness in the Cape Floristic Region. Nature Connect is dedicated to empowering grassroots initiatives and fostering environmental stewardship through this three-year project.

Funded through the The Table Mountain Fund’s Care Programme, the Small Grants Project is committed to fostering a growing, inclusive conservation community. By encouraging both established organisations and emerging initiatives to implement impactful conservation work, the programme aims to expand collaboration and networking opportunities, increase capacity and capability, and empower communities to advocate for nature and sustainable practices.

Following a competitive selection process, Nature Connect has recently awarded grants to six exciting community organisations for 2026. These projects aim to drive meaningful conservation efforts in the Cape Floristic Region, they are:

1. Bos Kinnes

Led by Mutheera Rademeyer

Bos Kinnes is a community-based environmental club rooted in Ocean View, focused on building environmental awareness, youth development, and community pride through practical action. Central to their upcoming plans is the establishment of the Bos Kinnes Hub, the first dedicated environmental club house for youth in Ocean View, which will serve as a base for education, mentorship, and community engagement. Through a variety of activities, such as indigenous and food gardening, fynbos awareness, inter-generational skills-sharing, recycling-for-food exchanges, beach and community clean-ups, and holiday programmes, Bos Kinnes aims to strengthen environmental stewardship, leadership, and resilience within the community they serve.

2. Clean Coast SA

Led by Siphokuhle Felicia Moyakhe

This organisation is a community-driven environmental initiative based in Khayelitsha, focused on restoring and protecting Monwabisi Beach and its surrounding areas. Their work centres around reducing litter and coastal pollution, safeguarding marine biodiversity, and building a strong culture of environmental stewardship within the youth of the local community. Through organised beach clean-ups, recycling initiatives, school-based environmental education, the organisation aims to actively involve youth, schools, and volunteers in practical conservation action. Clean Coast SA intends to strengthen community ownership of the coastline around Monwabisi, while supporting the long-term health and resilience of Khayelitsha’s coastal and marine ecosystems.

3. Envirolove

Led by Sasha-Leigh Dyson & Etienne Basson

Envirolove works with youth in Lavender Hill to support personal growth, environmental awareness, and bring a sense of belonging through place-based education. They take youth on guided nature hikes, museum visits, and reflective workshops that combine environmental learning along with social and emotional development. By engaging youth in local ecology, history, and leadership opportunities, they aim to build confidence and resilience, while strengthening youth connection to their community and natural surroundings. Their motto, “there is more beyond this place”, aims to inspire local youth to dream big and find their place in the world.

4. Mayine e Afrika Foundation

Led by Bathandwa Diniso

The Mayine Programme is a youth-focused environmental education and empowerment project led by Iyana e Africa in partnership with SANParks and the SANParks Honorary Rangers. Working with young people from Nyanga, Philippi, and Gugulethu, the project connects youth to the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region through hands-on learning, workshops, and nature-based outings. By combining environmental education, mentorship, social and emotional support, and community action, the programme builds environmental awareness, leadership skills, and exposure to green career pathways, empowering participants to become active stewards of their local environment and future leaders in conservation.

5. Steenberg Adventure Squad

Led by Chelsey Kayla Bevie & Shaun Robertson

The Steenberg Adventure Squad is a youth-led environmental education initiative based in Steenberg and surrounding Cape Flats communities. They aim to reconnect youth with nature, culture, and community by restoring neglected green spaces and home gardens into thriving indigenous landscapes. Through hands-on workshops, excursions, planting events, and storytelling, the project will build environmental stewardship, practical green skills, and cultural pride, while creating safe living spaces that support biodiversity, learning, and community wellbeing.

6. Vrygrond Peace Garden

Led by Abubaker Zaid Philander

This project is a family-focused indigenous gardening and environmental education programme based at Vrygrond Peace Garden. It aims to engage parents, and their young children in weekly, hands-on sessions focused on growing an indigenous garden that supports local biodiversity, and provides habitat for indigenous fauna. Through gardening, storytelling, creative arts, and nature play, the project aims to create a safe public space in this under-resourced community, giving young people a place to grow, connect, and thrive, whilst also building stronger parent–child connections, fostering community stewardship and ultimately encouraging a deeper connection to nature within the urban landscape.

Building a Supportive Conservation Network

To mark the start of their journeys on the Small Grants Project, Nature Connect recently hosted an induction workshop for the successful 2026 grantees. The session provided guidance on measuring and reporting project impact while fostering valuable connections among participants. The morning was filled with energy and inspiration as the grantees began their journey with Nature Connect, making full use of the networking opportunity to build connections with other like-minded organisations working towards the same goals.

Follow the Journey

Keep up with the progress of these inspiring projects and their efforts to drive positive environmental change in their communities. Follow Nature Connect and the 2026 Small Grant recipients on social media:

• Nature Connect
• Table Mountain Fund
• Bos Kinnes
• CleanCoastSA
• Envirolove
• Mayine e Afrika Foundation
• Steenberg Adventure Squad
• Vrygrond Peace Garden