The purpose of this report is to give the results of an assessment of selected EPWP programmes implemented since 2004.
The programmes described in the report were extracted from the EPWP annual reports (State of Expanded Public Works
Programme in South African Cities) for the years 2004 to 2018. The assessment focused on a range of themes including
best practices in planning, implementing and monitoring EPWP programmes. Through an analysis of the EPWP annual
reports, this report identifies challenges and gaps faced by the cities in implementing the programmes and is the foundation
on which the “How-to Guide on Running Effective Expanded Public Works Programmes”, a major goal of the study, has
been developed.

The study assessed each of the four EPWP phases, analysing them on the basis of their set targets. The first step was to
carry out an in-depth analysis of each phase, identifying its successes and the difficulties it faced. Material reviewed included
previous case studies, project reports and annual performance reports as well as literature from the participating member
cities, South African Cities Network (SACN) and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). The aim was to
understand how to improve the EPWP’s effectiveness in creating work opportunities (WOs) and alleviating poverty through
skills development. Projects were selected for review based on their scale and the availability of consistent data.

The sections of this report dealing with the programmes reviewed give the reasons why they succeeded or failed and
conclude with recommendations based on these findings.