Cooperative Development Support Programme (CDSP) – Grant Funding for Cooperatives

The Cooperative Development Support Programme (CDSP) provides grant funding to support the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of cooperative enterprises. The programme aims to strengthen cooperative businesses by enabling them to acquire critical production assets, improve operational efficiency, enhance product quality, and scale their operations to access broader markets.

The programme provides 100% grant funding and is designed to assist cooperatives across multiple sectors of the economy by supporting investments in productive assets, infrastructure, and business development interventions that enhance long-term sustainability. 

Funding Structure

The programme provides different levels of financial support depending on the stage and structure of the cooperative:

• Startup Cooperatives (Category A):
  Maximum funding of R1,500,000 per applicant.
• Expansion Cooperatives (Category B):
  Maximum funding of R2,500,000 per applicant.
• Secondary / Cluster Cooperatives (Category C):
  Maximum funding of R5,000,000 per applicant. 

Supported Interventions

Funding may be used for acquiring business-related assets and operational support necessary for cooperative development, including:

• Machinery, equipment, and raw materials or stock
• Commercial vehicles directly linked to operational activities
• Information and communication technology (ICT) systems supporting business operations
• Infrastructure such as irrigation systems and boreholes (excluding brick-and-mortar construction)
• Business development support and interventions aimed at improving production efficiency, scaling operations, and accessing markets. 

Eligible Cooperatives

Category A – Startup Cooperatives

• Cooperatives operating at a small scale with a maximum turnover of R250,000 per annum
• Minimum bank balance of R5,000 from commercial activity or member contributions
• Must be registered in South Africa under the Co-operatives Act, Act No. 14 of 2005
• Must have majority black membership and adhere to cooperative principles. 

Category B – Expansion Cooperatives

• Cooperatives operating for more than 12 months
• Minimum annual turnover of R250,000
• Seeking support to expand operations and improve production capacity. 

Category C – Secondary / Cluster Cooperatives

• Secondary cooperatives with annual turnover exceeding R500,000
• May consist of multiple primary cooperatives working collectively. 

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a completed application form together with supporting documentation, including:

• Cooperative business plan or funding proposal
• Proof of SARS registration and tax compliance
• CIPC registration documents and cooperative constitution
• FICA documentation for directors or members
• Lease agreement, permission to occupy, or title deed
• Three supplier quotations for requested assets (suppliers must be registered on the Central Supplier Database)
• CVs and certified ID copies of directors or founding members
• Bank statements and financial statements
• Three-year cash flow projections
• Relevant industry certifications where applicable. 

Applications are evaluated based on compliance with programme guidelines, eligibility criteria, and the availability of funds.

Applicants must submit their completed application forms and supporting documents to the relevant provincial email address or their nearest branch.

Gauteng - gpcsp@sedfa.org.za 

Eastern Cape - eccsp@sedfa.org.za 

North West - nwcsp@sedfa.org.za 

Western Cape - wccsp@sedfa.org.za 

Mpumalanga - mpcsp@sedfa.org.za 

Kwa-Zulu Natal - kzncsp@sedfa.org.za 

Limpopo - limcsp@sedfa.org.za 

Northern Cape - nccsp@sedfa.org.za 

Free State - fscsp@sedfa.org.za

Applicants can access the application form here