Beyond the Policy Void: The Power of Community in Urban Conservation Governance in the Western Cape, South Africa

This study investigates how local conservation initiatives in the Cape Floristic Region’s urban areas are governed and how governance aligns with South African conservation policies. Using a qualitative case study approach, it examines three community-driven projects through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including municipal officials, project managers, and volunteers. Governance effectiveness was assessed using Bennett and Satterfield (Citation2018) framework, with qualitative content analysis identifying key themes. Findings reveal that strong community-government collaboration and bottom-up governance approaches drive success despite limited policy support. Local initiatives play a crucial role in achieving positive social and environmental outcomes, yet national policies often overlook urban conservation governance. This research contributes to debates on urban biodiversity governance by showing how small, community-led initiatives in a Global South biodiversity hotspot can deliver conservation and social benefits when formal policy frameworks remain fragmented. Flexible municipal pathways are needed to support community initiatives without undermining their responsiveness.