Epwp Social Sector To Drive Digital Transformation In Social Services At Durban Conference

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By: DSD News

  •  A national conference will bring together government, private sector and community stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector.
  • Digital skills development will take centre stage as a tool to expand access to social services and respond to evolving community needs.
  • The gathering will explore innovation, partnerships and new economic pathways to enhance employment opportunities and service delivery.

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal – 24 to 26 February 2026: The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector will host a Digital Skills and Social Service Delivery Conference in Durban under the theme, “Revolutionising Access to Social Services through Digital Skills in the EPWP Social Sector.”


The three-day conference is expected to serve as a strategic platform that brings together EPWP Social Sector coordinating and implementing partners, alongside stakeholders from government, the private sector and community-based organisations. The engagement aims to strengthen collaboration, coordination and implementation within the Programme while advancing new approaches to digital transformation in social service delivery.


Over the past twenty years, the EPWP Social Sector has played a vital role in creating entry-level employment opportunities across schools, clinics and community centres. Many of these opportunities have developed into sustainable career pathways, contributing to both service delivery and skills development in communities. As social and economic conditions continue to evolve, the Programme is placing increased emphasis on digital and technological skills to improve access to services, particularly in areas affected by geographical and spatial barriers.


Objectives of the EPWP Social Sector Conference:
• To promote innovation in social service delivery through digital skills development;
• To strengthen partnerships across sectors to enhance programme implementation;
• To explore new skills pathways aligned with emerging economic opportunities; |
• To share best practices and lessons learned within the EPWP Social Sector.
By positioning digital skills at the centre of its agenda, the conference reflects the programme’s commitment to modernising service delivery and ensuring that communities are better connected to social support systems in a rapidly changing digital landscape.