Through the Hands-on Learning publication, we hope to play a helpful role in synthesising information from innovators and implementers in civil society, supporting them to share what they have learnt so that others can draw from and build on their experiences.
Litigate, Advocate, Educate: Why going to court can help to fight alcohol harms
South Africa is a nation of heavy drinkers. In fact, data shows that the country’s drinkers consumed, on average, about 27 litres of pure alcohol each in 2019. That works out to roughly five glasses of wine, five cans of beer or five shots of spirits every day.
Rethink Your Drink, DGMT’s project for reducing alcohol harms, works specifically to address excessive drinking to prevent the social ills and poor health outcomes that stem from it. One of the key strategies is to take legal action against an actor believed to be violating people’s rights — whether it’s the industry or the government. This is called strategic litigation, because cases for this type of legal action are chosen very carefully to ensure that the outcome will bring about change that will have a broader impact on society and not just on the immediate parties involved in the case.
This learning brief looks at the ins and outs of strategic litigation as part of a social justice campaign such as Rethink Your Drink, what the potential risks and benefits are, and how the strategy has been used so far to fight alcohol harms in South Africa.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF, or read it magazine-style on ISSUU.
Forward-thinking farming for a better future
Despite the world producing more than enough food, almost three in 10 people globally do not have enough nutritious food every day. In addition, food prices worldwide are rising, with people in low-income countries, and especially rural areas, being worse off.
Agroecology can offer a solution. It’s a way of farming that protects natural resources while applying both modern science and people’s traditional and local knowledge. The potential of agroecology to change people’s lives drives DGMT’s investment in small-scale farming initiatives that work in synergy with nature.
This learning brief presents key findings from DGMT-commissioned research that explores the enabling factors behind smallholder farming initiatives grounded in ecologically sound practices, aimed at helping communities thrive and build a sustainable future.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF, or read it magazine-style on ISSUU.
What lies beneath: understanding how poverty affects young people — and how they can find new hope
In South Africa in 2025, more than a third (35%) of young people aged 15 to 24 are not in employment, education, or any form of skills training. Among those aged 25 to 34, the figure rises to 44%, highlighting a deepening crisis in youth readiness for work and economic participation. Growing up — and remaining — trapped in poverty doesn’t just mean going without material necessities. It also chips away at a person’s self-esteem, sense of agency, social trust, and ultimately, hope. These less visible dimensions of poverty show that breaking the cycle isn’t only about creating more jobs; it requires addressing deeper emotional and social impacts as well.
Recognising this aspect is key to unlocking new opportunities and someone’s sense of hope. Because poverty is multidimensional, the solution should be too. DGMT believes that young people’s struggles with poverty should be viewed and understood in a holistic manner. That’s why we at DGMT have invested in an approach that connects young people to the right level of support, based on their needs — from having secure and decent income to being able to handle life in a resilient way.
This learning brief looks at the thinking behind the “FETCH” model and how it is put to use in a practical way to help young people from disadvantaged communities “fetch the future” they aspire to.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF, or read it magazine-style on ISSUU.
Read the complete issue below magazine-style on ISSUU – choose full-screen mode [ ] for a better reading experience. Download the complete Hands-on Learning publication (Issue 32) as a PDF.
